14 Ways to Have More Joy, Fun and Love in Your Life

Setting a Goal Works Better When You Lighten Up with 14 Ways to Get More Fun,
More Joy and More Loe in Your Li!e "ery #ay
1. Randomly wish people a good day whom you encounter as you go about your work or
errands. Really pay attention to people you normally ignore, notice how they look and what
they say. Start a conversation with someone you normally dont talk to and try to learn
something interesting about that person.
2. Create a ritual for yourself that is nurturing and supportive. or e!ample, you could start
the day by meditating for 1" minutes, then prepare your favorite tea or other beverage and
read the paper or a book for a short period of time.
#. $o out to a local farm where they let you pick your own produce %apples, peaches, berries,
corn, green beans for e!ample&. 'n(oy the fun of e!periencing the actual place where you food
was grown as well as the bargain price.
). *ave a good cry or a good laugh. +ne way to get a laugh on demand is to read a ,ad-.ib or
tell a silly story to a friend or your favorite child. ,ad-.ibs are available at large book stores
like /arnes and 0oble.
1. Scribble for ten minutes with either crayons or colored pens. 2hen you scribble, dont try to
make any kind of picture, (ust make lines on the page in any color you like. 3n 3ustralian
architect 4 met once used this techni5ue every time he wanted to work on an architectural
drawing, especially when he was coming up with a new design. *e said it really improved his
creativity and rela!ed him. 4t also helped to release his self-(udgment.
6. $o out in nature early in the morning and notice how things look with dew on them
especially notice spider webs and the remarkable design variations youll 7nd in them.
8. $o to a local duck pond in spring and feed the ducks. 9ou can also feed s5uirrels and birds
at a park.
:. ;o you do volunteer work on a regular basis< 4f not, try doing it (ust once to see what it
would be like. /e sure to choose something you like to do and a cause you support. 9ou may
7nd that it=s habit forming. Some e!amples of volunteer work are> read to children at the
library> help feed the homeless> help seniors at a senior center or pick up their groceries> work
with environmental groups or volunteer at your local animal shelter. 4f you already are a
volunteer, try doing a di?erent kind of work than youve done in the past. 9ou may be
overlooking an opportunity to try something youd really like.
@. Aake a walk around your neighborhood and think of ways to improve it. Could you help a
neighbor clean his or her yard< Could you pick up litter in a local park or try to make some
changes through your local town council<
1". But plants in your garden to attract butterCies and birds. ,ake your yard into a habitat for
wildlife.
11. ,ake your own greeting cards with plants, yarn, stickers, etc. 4f youre an artist, paint
small pictures on them. 9ou can stamp designs on them or use pictures cut from magaDines.
Send them to special friends.
12. /uy a coloring book and color the pictures like you did when you were young.
1#. But up some seasonal decorations that arent related to a special holiday but relate to
seasons like spring, summer, fall or winter. or spring you could cut some branches with new
leaves on them. 4n fall dried Cowers are nice or an arrangement of fall fruit and nuts could be
interesting.
1). $et involved in a group %or start one& where you can be really honest about your feelings.
Some groups that already provide a safe place to share are the 12 Step groups such as 33, 3l-
3non, Coda etc. %check the 2eb for locations and times&. Ahere are also therapy groups led by
professionals that provide a safe place to share and some churches have these as well.