Fun...Fun...and more Fun! I think.....

Fun...I just read Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Blog (The 3 kinds of fun) and it got me thinking about what kind of fun my family has. I've always thought of having fun as just that....having fun!  You smile, you laugh, you enjoy yourself and you have fun.  After reading this, I've realized that we have all different kinds of fun in my house. My family definitely has their share of fun!

She explains the 3 kinds of fun as:
Challenging fun - "Challenging fun takes patience, time, energy, perseverance, and a long time horizon."

Accommodating fun - "Accommodating fun takes a lot of energy, organization, coordination with other people, and, well, accommodation."

Relaxing fun - "Relaxing fun is practically effortless.Relaxing fun is relaxing. It takes little energy. You don’t have to hone skills or take much action. There’s very little coordination with other people or preparation involved."

I initially thought that relaxing fun would be the best kind, but when I am having relaxing fun...I usually fall asleep or get bored. I am doing something for me and only me, that involves no effort or planning.....like watching TV or reading a book. It's great, but I get little satisfaction from it.

I never thought I'd be analyzing fun, but to sit back and look at your family and think about these things really can bring some joy to your crazy life.  We all need a little joy right now!

So let's look at some Rahn fun over the past few weeks:

My trip to NYC with my mom and sister: definitely accommodating fun....I had a blast, but it was a challenge to get motivated - and I did it (initially) more for my mom and sister, but as it got closer I was as excited as they were. When it was all done and over, and I was back in Purcellville, I was so happy.  I had great memories with my mom and sister and a great day to do things for me.  Would I have chosen to do this and plan it? Nope.....but it was so worth it afterwards.

Getting the new puppy: I think that would be a mix of challenging fun and accommodating fun.  We are not choosing to get less sleep; we are not necessarily wanting to constantly be entertaining an almost 5 month old puppy, but he brings us joy.  We do these things and we laugh, and we smile and we share in the craziness that this puppy brings to our house.  The challenging part is finding new and creative ways to entertain him and wear him out; finding ways to keep him calm while in the house.  Don is doing most of this work, but the fun is being felt by all of us. When Junior is finally worn out and sleeping, the feeling of achievement makes it all worthwhile and makes us happy!

Zumba: I'm trying to do a Zumba class once a week with teachers from school.  I would call this challenging fun.  I think of all the other things that have to get done, but then when I make time to go to this class, I have FUN!  Learning the moves, keeping up with the instructor are all huge challenges, but when the hour class is over, I feel a sense of accomplishment and I'm happy!


Sitting in front of the computer: for me this is my relaxing fun...I have my favorite websites that I visit. I catch up on Facebook.  I research vacations. I learn about new technology projects. I network with other teachers around the world.  To me, this is relaxing.  This is my mindless time. I'm doing it for me and only me.

Planning Vacations: definitely challenging fun....trying to find the right hotel, airfare, adventures, restaurants. I love it and love the satisfaction that comes when the big vacation finally happens.

All of the upcoming Holiday festivities: Fun, Fun, Fun...we've got family parties, friend parties, Christmas shopping, more decorating, tree trimming, cookie making, wrapping presents, waiting for Santa, and the list goes on. A lot of people look at those activities as "chores."  I love every one of them.  Do they make me tired?  Do I get a little stressed? Do I wish I had more time to get everything done? Do I feel challenged and like I am working to accommodate other people?

You betcha...but as Gretchen Rubin says, "Challenging fun and accommodating fun, over the long term, bring more happiness, because they're sources of those elements that make people happiest..." 

So, rather than relax and find time for just myself, I shall embrace the craziness and be happy!

Will you join me in looking at the chaos of the holiday season as a good thing, and go forth and create your own challenging and accommodating fun?

Until our next crazy Rahn adventure, have a great few weeks and hope for snow!!

Stay tuned for more as our holiday festivities continue...