By Jennifer Outcelt, Creative Content Architect
For some people out in the adult world, self-care, relaxation, recreation, and creative endeavors are a priority. For others, they are a distant second to career, house work, child care, and curling up on the couch clutching a cell phone paralyzed by pure exhaustion. Sure, each group of adults has sporadic episodes mimicking the other, yet the tendencies seem consistent. I, having previously believed myself to exist in the former group, find that I am in fact part of the latter. I’m offended by this self-realization, yet I don’t seem too sorry about realizing it. It’s hard to complain to myself about myself… they both make such good points!
Basically, my priorities have taken it upon themselves to secretly shift into a realm where any fun activity is paired with guilt. I’ve found myself questioning the value of the time I’ve spent doing anything not directly correlated with an assignment or chore. I watch my 3 year old do 47 summersaults on the couch in a row with nary a care or goal in mind other than sheer delight. My envious eyes have identified her as a possible cause for this shift (though I wouldn’t dare allow an iota of resentment to manifest). Meanwhile, I’ve had a brand new iPad for 2 months that I purchased for the sole purpose of learning to draw digitally in Procreate, and have yet to put more than 8 hours of creative fun into because, “I should probably fold that laundry instead.” With life and all its demands, I’ve been telling myself that fun must be earned… but good luck affording it. Is this the recommended outlook on self-care or fun for fun’s sake? H E double hockey sticks, NO.
There are countless benefits to relaxation and abstract endeavors. For one; stress relief (that one sounds nice). Also, increased energy for other work, more creative thought and problem solving, improved social skills, HAPPINESS, better health, bonding with others, new skills, and dang it all, just way more fun! So with all these benefits, why is it so difficult to jump away from the have-to-dos and dive completely recklessly into the want-to-dos?
Apparently, it’s just a matter of choice. You can convince yourself that any choice is the right one… I obviously convinced myself sacrificing creative art for laundry was the right choice. So why not switch it up and bat for the other team here? They have cooler jersey’s and seem to cheer way more. Plus, their roster is written in glitter pen on the back of a bar tab receipt! After reading an article reminding me of the power of fun (link below), I’m finally ready to be a part of the other team. Team “For The Freaking Fun Of It!”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/well/mind/having-fun-suceeding-coronavirus-pandemic.html
