Why so serious...?
Fun, silliness, and creativity! It's the stuff that makes life worth living – our hobbies, interests, past-times...whatever you call it, it's what brings people together, creates laughter, and stimulates happy thoughts. It's also very good for our mental health – what good can come of being serious all of the time?
Often, people talk about the kinds of fun things that they did at kids. Many of us will be familiar with games such as hide and seek, pass the parcel, various sports such as soccer and netball – and sometimes, talking about these things precedes the phrase 'if only I was a kid again!' - and sure, it's easy to miss our primary school days, but there are so many great things that adults can do for fun as well.
Some people like art and music, while others enjoy rock climbing and extreme sports, and there are a bucketload of other great activities for people who are willing to give them a go. The trick is to keep yourself engaged in something, and to really let your passion take over, because it was always the passion and belief in the game which made childhood play so exciting. Get out there and have fun!
Want to chat about your own childhood games? Maybe you're looking for some tips on finding a new hobby or club to join? Whatever it is, come join us on the ReachOut forums on Mondaythe 15th of July, 8pm AEST – see you there!
***HAVE A PEN AND PAPER WITH YOU********
Real life example of serious people having fun playing games !!!
Hey guys! Welcome to tonight's Getting Real Session. Tonight we'll be talking about fun and creativity, things such as our hobbies, interests, and other kinds of things that make life enjoyable. People tend to have a large variety of different interests – it's one of the things that make individuals so unique! - and these interests can have a very important impact on our mental health. I'm sure we've all had one of those days where things just haven't gone right – and having a way to relax and de-stress at the end of the day can do wonders for our happiness and well-being. So let's get started!
To start us off tonight we'd like you to get a pen and paper and try and doodle with your non-dominant hand. If you are right handed - your left... and if you are left handed, your right. Just try and draw a simple line drawing or doodle and tell us how easy or hard you find it.
No responses! That's alright. On to the questions for tonight!
EDIT: Just saw Sophie's response! I had the same problem, mine came back all wonky because I had to focus on keeping it neat.
Question 1 - There are many different ways to have fun. What does doing something fun or being creative mean to you?
Evening all!!!
When I get bored, I sometimes try to write left handed. If I concentrate I can do it pretty well, but the letter e is really challenging!!! It's always interesting and I like to think it's using a different part of my brain!
Q1. I am not a very creative person but I like doing cross stitch and other crafty things like that. My auntie started teaching me those kinds of things a few years ago and whenever I see her we do them together (she lives in another state so don't get to see her often - my latest challenge is quilting but I need to see her again as I've forgotten how to do it!). I finished my cross stitch last night (one I started many years ago but forgot about). So I'm feeling pretty proud of it.
I'm really excited to do quilting but need some
guidance with it, so will have to wait till I see my auntie again. I "vaguely" remember how to do it but don't want to screw it up. It's MUCH more difficult than cross stitch. I've mastered tapestry and long stitch too. I'd love to learn how to crochet or knit though, but my auntie said it's much harder to teach and if I get stuck it will be difficult to get unstuck with her being so far away.
Definitely get back into it, Soph. I find it so relaxing. 🙂
I found out today that a large tapestry we have on the wall I actually helped stich it! 😄 I was quite young but I was like really? thats sa cool 😄
I tried to crochet a couple years ago, I found it so hard. But after today I'm slightly determined to try and learn again. I was originally buying fabric to make a skirt, and ended up helping a lady pick woll for a cot blanket, where I found myself saying I tried to corchet but I coudn't get a hang of it, I have the kit still, I should try it again..
Thanks for all the great responses guys 🙂 we've covered this a bit, but just to flesh it out a bit...
What are some of the boundaries that could stand in your way of doing something fun in your day to day life?
When I think of boundaries, I think of psychological hurdles. I guess I can be afraid to be have fun, I mean what if it doesn't turn out as fun as I hoped to be?
Sometimes I think I dont deserve to have fun, I may need to work on that boundary 🙂
Definitely work on that one Doris! Everyone deserves to have fun, and not only that, I think we all need it. It helps us to relax and learn not to take life so seriously 🙂
Thanks for the responses everyone! Looks like we might need to start up a cross-stitching group!
Next question - Time, experience and age help shape a person. Why do you think we could sometimes forget to dedicate ourselves an hour of fun time?
(Ironically I was actually thinking about this the past 2 days while organising my room!)
I think it's partly because we get so wound up in the pressures of everyday life and stresses that occur.
I was reading my novel the other day and the main character in it had mentioned how we are always aiming for perfection and awaiting for it, and it got me thinking, what if we dind't aim for a perfect life? What if we just threw the idea of a perfect life out and went and filled our time with things that aren't seen as the norm or the right thing to do for your age - eg for example i've heard a lot on tv recently about parents admitting to playing with their child's toys when they go to bed...
I kind of looked at my life and said, what can I do to add in some me time, soemthing run, relaxing, where I can forget about everything that is pressuring me...
I liked how you pointed out we place pressure on ourselves to do something fun. It can be so overwhelming on our psyche it is counteractive to the goal of relaxation 🙂
I love colouring in! I do volunteer one-on-one camps with kids and LOVE it when my buddy loves colouring in. Often I colour in at the same time. 😛 I always tell the 6 year old that their scribble is so much better than mine (even though it's truly not. :P).
I always take time out on public transport to and from uni to listen to music and try to relax at nighttime. Ideally I'd like to turn my computer (and all technology) off an hour before bed and dedicate that time to having some fun, but often life gets in the way. I do always read before sleeping though and listen to music while showering and doing my make up in the morning. 🙂
Oh and don't forget that the hour doesn't have to be in one big session... 5 minutes here and there is probably even better for you! Spread it out over the day!
Thanks for pointing the simple things like getting some decent sleep. If you have no energy, it is hard to have fun.
& Yes fly is fun 🙂 I want to play it, but dont have enough ropes 😛
(My laptop is being slow, hence why I'm so behind tonight. Sorry guys)
MIght not stay the whole night tonight, we'll see though 🙂
I'm not going to do the exercise tonight - just pure laziness 😛 but I have done similar with my left (non-dominant) hand.
I, like Sophie, found it kind of difficult. With the difficulties I've had with my right wrist, I did try to write with my left hand, it didn't turn out so well... it was wonky and it looked like I had just started to learn to write! But it was an experience 🙂 some letters were easier than others to write.
Question 1 - There are many different ways to have fun. What does doing something fun or being creative mean to you?
Indeed there is manny different ways to have fun, doing something fun to me means it is enjoyable in some way, shape or form. To me being creative means doing something in which gets me thinking ouside the box, kind of like making something from an idea or a piece of inspiration and working with it 🙂
