How To Build Fun Times into Your Life!

We need a change of focus – or at least I do. Over the last few weeks, we have dealt with serious and sad subjects. Now let’s think about fun! Fun ideas and how to get there for chronically ill people.

My sister-in-law, Lynn, sure knew how to have fun. She had always been artistic. But as life grew harder for her, she used her art to cope. Even when she was a long-haul truck driver with my brother, John, she painted. She also shared her love of art by teaching others, including children. She helped in her community when able. In addition, she used her art to add to their family income.

Lynn utilized her art in several ways: to cope, to fill those empty hours when unable to do normal activities, to help others, and to add income.

We may not be artistic, able to earn money, or capable to help others, but we likely have some talent – or even a quirk within ourselves – that we can use to have fun. However, we may have to think deeply to find it.

Many of us are limited, even disabled, and must spend considerable time with seemingly nothing to do. Filling some of this time with enjoyable activity helps us feel productive. It can sometimes generate income. It might help others or even our community. This pursuit might be related to our purpose in life, increasing our self-esteem. It can even decrease our pain somewhat.

Whether our problems are related to pain, weakness, fatigue, loss of a sense, or something else entirely, adding fun to our lives aids our quality of life.

So, how do we go about finding something to do for fun despite our limitations?

First, evaluate

Look to the past

• What did you enjoy doing?
• What hobbies were are you interested in?
• List the skills you used.

Assess the present

• What strengths do you have?
  • Creativity?
  • Tenacity?
  • Organization?
  • Administration?
  • This list can go on and on.
• Think about the physical abilities you still have.

Envision the future

• Considering your interests, strengths, and abilities, dream about what fun you could add to your life.

Second, adapt where needed

• Employ ingenuity to visualize possibilities.
• Do you just need to reorganize your surroundings?
• Would buying adaptive equipment help?
• Asking for help might become necessary.

Fun Pictures

• Invisibly disabled people having fun.
• See what they’ve made with the hobbies they enjoy.

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You saw how other chronically ill people have added fun into their lives.

Now you can have fun finding ways to add fun into your life!

Can you share with us what you do for fun?

Another activity that sounds fun for chronically ill people to try is Disney Bounding. A blogger, Cassie Creeley, tells of her experiences. And this post explains more about it.

Check out our page about Activities Dwellers Do.

For more information about Lynn, see my tribute.