Throw me something, mister!
So Covid hit my household for the first time in three years. We were lucky to make it this far and are on the mend. However, the biggest bummer was canceling a long-anticipated trip to visit my in-laws in New Orleans. We were headed down to enjoy Mardi Gras parades! If you were following me last year, you may remember that it was somehow my first time going to Carnival* despite counting a native New Orleanian as my significant other since 2003!
After the trip last year, I was fixated on how much FUN I had. It took me flying 1,200 miles, getting decked out in purple, green, and gold, watching parades, hollering the traditional phrase, "Throw me something mister!" for beads and trinkets to krewes on the floats, and dancing to marching bands to realize... Fun is important. I need more fun!
Sure, I regularly enjoy myself, like on the weekends when I go on mini adventures with my husband and son. We tackle hikes in different locations, attack the playground, and explore zoos and museums. I visit with friends and family and we laugh and have a great time. It's all wonderful! But "fun"? Now that's a different beast.
In thinking about "fun" following the trip last year, I realized that the problem is defining and figuring out what's fun. I've unpacked what was awesome about the parades last year and how it translates to accessing fun in regular, every day moments. Here's what was great about Carnival last year and why I was looking forward to it this year:
Being outside... a lot. It didn't hurt that the weather was much milder. We were able to attend nighttime parades for several hours. I was outside from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. one day. Given the climate in the northeast this time of year, it had been a looong time since I was outside like that all day.
Doing something new or out of the norm. Nope, I can't go to Carnival or a different destination every weekend, but I can make an effort to say "Yes!" to different, new things when they come my way.
Listening and dancing to great music. This one is easy. Music is one reason I enjoy doing cardio. So why not take a dance break during the day to shake things up, literally and figuratively?!
Meeting new people. I am pretty extroverted, so I felt energized when I met new people and reconnected with folks I hadn't seen in close to ten years (!). Sure, the pandemic was largely to blame for this disconnect the last few years, but it definitely filled my tank to mingle with new folks.
What about you? What do you consider fun? I encourage you to define fun so you can prioritize it. And why is that important? When I had fun and unwound at Carnival, I came back to work energized, focused, and ready to attack my to-do list.
As they say in New Orleans, "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" So go ahead, let the good times roll!
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