Making Time for Fun
We all have different seasons in our lives. Sometimes, we’re in the season of hustling and working a lot. Other times, it’s the season of babies and toddlers, where we feel like we’re constantly sleep deprived.
No matter what season you’re in, it’s so important to still find pockets of time where you can have some fun–by yourself, with your partner, your kids, your friends. And often you can find ways to have fun while still serving or giving to others.
For me, I’m spending a lot of time playing tennis lately. I’m in a league and taking clinics, hitting the ball with friends and the kids. I’m out at the tennis courts almost every day right now! When I do this, I’m sacrificing Netflix time but I’m totally okay with that. I’m being social and finding more balance in my day. Plus, I’m able to be physically active and enjoy the beautiful weather.
I’ve always enjoyed volunteering my time too. Lucy is getting ready to work on her Mitzvah project, where she raises money and volunteers for an organization. I helped Jack and Charlie with their projects and I plan to be there for Lucy through hers as well. Even though the kids pick their project, I’m happy to give too.
Eventually, I’d love to volunteer in a NICU also. This has always been on my list, but I’ve been busy at home with the kids. As they get older, this is a great place to volunteer and get my baby fix! If you’re more of a dog person, a volunteer gig at an animal shelter might be a good fit.
If you love baseball but can’t play it, consider coaching a little league team. Sometimes those positions pay too! If you’d rather be indoors, rock climbing is fun, or volunteering at a library. Maybe you want to learn to paint watercolors or take a photography class.
The key to making time for fun is to make it a priority. Just like starting a family, there’s never going to be a perfect time; you just have to make it happen.
Pick things that fit into your schedule. I choose to play tennis during the day because an evening tennis league is difficult for me to commit to with all the kids’ sports activities. I also can’t commit to training for a competitive league so for right now I’m just having fun with it.
Fun brings balance to your life and helps ward off stress and overwhelm. It helps you put things into perspective so that you can continue to do the things you have to do without feeling bitter about them. Being an adult can be tough, but you can still have fun!
