With summer almost at an end, my mind is turning to the school year and with that, to quizzes and homework. So, I’ve decided to give my beloved Grass Stain Guru readers a little quiz. (Don’t worry — no state capitals, long division, or questions on Shakespeare.)
Ask yourself the following questions. Be honest with yourself about the answers.
When is the last time you:
- Went barefoot (outside)?
- Did something just for the fun of it?
- Hung out with your best friend?
- Laughed until you ________? (Insert snorted, cried or wheezed — whichever is a sure sign that you are laughing uncontrollably.)
- Took a walk in the woods or went for a bike ride?
- Left the chores for a bit and picked play over housework?
- Did something creative that was for you and not your job?
- Took some quiet time for yourself , unplugged and alone?
- Bought yourself flowers (Yes, even the fellas!)?
- Took a day trip to museum, state or national park, botanical garden, or other place you love?
If it’s been awhile since you have done many of these activities, you my friends, are fun-deprived. If you can’t remember the last time you did any of these things, then we have a serious Grass Stain Emergency on our hands!
So here’s your homework: Put some life back into living. Make a list of five activities or actions you can commit to do over the next week to put some playtime into your schedule and a little extra joy in your coffers. It will pay off in spades, I promise. If you are a parent or caregiver, it is so important to make sure that you take some time for yourself and have fun for fun’s sake! If you’re neither of those things, it is still vitally important — play is a key ingredient to health and happiness across the lifespan.
It doesn’t matter what is on your pledge — just take the time to look at your life and add in more time for play, joy, and laughter. Happiness as homework: nothing wrong with that.
I would love to see your pledges, so I encourage you to share them here in the comments section. Add your @name if you are on Twitter, so we can check-in on each other and see how we are doing with our assignments.
Now get to work, errr, I mean PLAY!
See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: zizzybaloobah
O.k., this is a bit depressing. I am definitely fun deprived. I’ll have to work on that.
Does wandering around the supermarket count? No, I didn’t think so. However, I’m happy to report that as far as point 6 goes, I ALWAYS choose play over housework :0)
I pledge to do something creative just for me and not for work. Fun is a key ingredient to a better lifestyle.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
RT @SageMcGreen RT @balmeras NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. http://bit.ly/QMKqr 10 Questions: Are You fun Deprived? #play #playoutdoors
I’m also pretty good at choosing play over housework, but it’s been a long time since I did most of the other things on your list. A bike ride sounds great.
RT @balmeras NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. http://bit.ly/QMKqr 10 Questions: Are You fun Deprived? #play #playoutdoors
Um, totally! RT @greenbeandreams Are You Fun-Deprived? 10 questions to ask yourself at summer’s end. http://bit.ly/ABVXh
I pretty much do all of those regularly, except for buying myself flowers. I buy myself other things — fresh fruit, gluten-free crackers, a nice book, a fun game.
The flowers can live outside, and I visit them often.
I changed my life about 2 years ago.
Quit my job, pulled the kids out of daycare, and decided to not be part of the “rat race” anymore. I’m homeschooling them, which includes going to a local park to play with friends twice a week, and copious amounts of museums, aquariums, and interesting festivals.
Yes. The house should be cleaner. But I only have so much energy, and I make sure to splurge on the family.
RT @balmeras Have you taken my quiz (No worries, no math!) Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh
RT @balmeras: Have you taken my quiz @ The Grass Stain Guru? Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh
RT @tweetmeme 10 Questions: Are You Fun-Deprived? | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/ABVXh
For the night shift: Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh @ The Grass Stain Guru
RT @balmeras Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh @ The Grass Stain Guru
RT @balmeras Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh @ The Grass Stain Guru
Well. I’m starting to get the hang of Twitter.
RT @tweetmeme 10 Questions: Are You Fun-Deprived? | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/ABVXh
RT @balmeras Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh @ The Grass Stain Guru
After reading the post title, I was like, Yeah! I ain’t getting no fun around here! But after taking your quiz, I realized apparently I’m not fun deprived. Maybe some people just need more fun than others?
Ha! Holly – I love that. I have a high-fun threshold, myself.
Kristine — Time for you to unplug & kick up your heels, sister! Your writing will go more smoothly with the jolt of freedom & creativity that play and relaxation brings.
Thanks for all the comments, folks. Let’s feast on fun!
Bethe
RT @balmeras 10 Questions: Are You Fun-Deprived? Grown-ups need #play, too! http://bit.ly/ABVXh