Try This Today: 6 Small Ways to Have More Fun Even When Life Feels Hard Podcast Summary with Mel Robbins

Try This Today: 6 Small Ways to Have More Fun Even When Life Feels Hard

1-Page Summary

The Perceived Lack of Fun in Modern Life

Mel Robbins explores why modern life seems to lack joy and spontaneity. She observes that people appear more serious in daily life, attributing this shift partly to social media's influence on self-presentation. According to Robbins, many individuals maintain carefully curated online personas, leading to less genuine interaction and spontaneous expression in public spaces.

The problem is compounded by widespread burnout and stress, with global events and daily pressures making the very idea of fun seem like an unnecessary burden. Robbins notes that people often feel too exhausted to pursue playful activities, choosing instead to remain in their comfort zones.

The Importance and Benefits Of Having Fun

Despite this trend, both Robbins and Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist, emphasize that fun isn't just optional—it's crucial for overall wellbeing. They explain that laughter and play contribute to better immunity and reduced stress levels, while fun activities help people escape worries and remain present in the moment. Robbins shares how even simple acts, like wearing a 1970s ski outfit to golf, can break through anxiety and create genuine moments of joy.

Practical Ways to Have More Fun

Robbins offers several actionable strategies to incorporate more fun into daily life. She suggests making small, intentional changes each day, such as wearing bright accessories or playing favorite music during routine tasks. She encourages saying "yes" to opportunities outside one's comfort zone and embracing imperfection in new activities.

Additionally, Robbins advocates for taking the lead in creating fun moments, whether through initiating dance at events or organizing playful activities. She emphasizes the importance of dismissing judgment from others and rejecting the notion that fun has age limits. By reconnecting with our inner child, Robbins suggests, we can rediscover the joy and spontaneity that many find missing from modern life.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

While social media can influence self-presentation, it also offers platforms for creative expression and connecting with others who share similar interests, which can be sources of fun and joy.
The idea that people maintain carefully curated personas online is not universally true; many individuals use social media authentically, sharing both their highs and lows.
Burnout and stress are significant issues, but they are not the sole reasons for a perceived lack of fun; economic pressures, time constraints, and personal responsibilities also play a role.
Some people may find joy and relaxation in activities that are not traditionally considered "fun," such as solitary hobbies or quiet contemplation, which might not be as visible in public spaces.
The concept of fun is subjective, and what is enjoyable for one person might not be for another; thus, the strategies for having fun may not be universally applicable.
Embracing imperfection and stepping out of one's comfort zone can be challenging for individuals with certain personality types or mental health issues, and these strategies might require additional support.
Initiating dance at events or organizing playful activities assumes a level of extroversion that not everyone possesses, and introverted or shy individuals may find other ways to have fun that are less centered on group activities.
The notion of reconnecting with our inner child might not resonate with everyone, as some individuals may associate their childhood with negative experiences.
Dismissing judgment from others is easier said than done, and societal or cultural norms can heavily influence an individual's willingness to engage in certain types of fun.
The strategies provided may not take into account the diverse economic and social realities of all individuals, for whom having fun might require resources or opportunities they do not have.

Actionables

You can create a "Fun Jar" where you write down playful activities on slips of paper and draw one to do each week, ensuring a surprise element that keeps things exciting and spontaneous.
- This strategy helps you commit to injecting fun into your routine without the pressure of planning. For example, your slips of paper might include activities like having a themed dinner night, learning a magic trick, or going for a moonlit walk. The randomness mirrors the joy of childhood surprises and encourages you to look forward to what's next.
Start a "Yes Day" tradition where, for one day, you say yes to all reasonable and safe invitations or ideas that come your way, pushing you out of your comfort zone.
- This approach forces you to engage with opportunities you might typically ignore or decline. For instance, if a neighbor invites you to a community painting class or a friend suggests trying out a new street food market, you go for it. It's about embracing the unexpected and finding joy in the unplanned.
Implement a "Role-Reversal" day where you and a friend or family member swap typical daily routines or activities, offering a fresh perspective and a break from the norm.
- This could mean you doing someone else's hobby for a day or them doing yours. If you usually read books and your friend paints, you would try painting while they dive into your current book. It's a playful way to step into someone else's shoes, learn something new, and share a laugh over the experience.

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Try This Today: 6 Small Ways to Have More Fun Even When Life Feels Hard

The Perceived Lack of Fun in Modern Life

Mel Robbins delves into the current state of modern life, highlighting a pervasive sense of seriousness and lack of joy that seems to characterize day-to-day experiences for many people.

People Seem More Serious in Daily Life

Mel Robbins points out that there is a notable absence of laughter, silliness, and the overall sense of fun that used to be a more common part of life. She suggests that this decline is, in part, due to the curated and controlled nature of social media.

People focus intensely on maintaining a certain image online rather than enjoying the moment. Social media has influenced how individuals present themselves, often focusing on a polished image over genuine engagement.

In public settings, people often seem withdrawn or "emotionally on airplane mode," as Robbins puts it, with less genuine laughter and more time spent scrolling through social media than interacting with each other face to face. People are careful not to appear loud, odd, or overly talkative for fear of damaging the careful image they've crafted.

Conversations tend to fall into repetitive patterns without personal stories or humor, suggesting a significant shift in how individuals interact with one another.