Confession: I haven’t been making time for fun lately.

Maybe you’ve lost your fun, too? After the collective experience we've all been through, it's understandable that we stopped looking for moments of laughter. And connection. And fun...!

Of course, there’s a time and a place for seriousness. But now that the world is opening up, it's the perfect opportunity to intentionally seek out more joy, and that’s where finding your fun comes in. As Mary Poppins once said, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and SNAP – the job’s a game!”

Doesn’t that sound nice?

For me, getting my fun back is as simple as knowing where to look. It’s about embracing spontaneity and inviting variety, and taking small moments to celebrate (rather than plodding away at a to-do list that never seems to shrink or constantly worrying about the what-ifs).

It also means that not every single thing that I do has to feel productive. And playing or goofing off does not make me (or you) a slacker!

Here are a few of my never-fail tips and tricks to bring the fun back into your life and not take yourself so seriously:

Get Your Groove Back …literally! Nothing puts a smile on my face like cranking my favorite tunes. Sure, I’m a terrible dancer. But I don’t let that stop me! Adding a little dance party to my afternoon snack break – or putting on some music I love in the background while I write or cook or edit – immediately gets me feeling less stressed and more carefree. So, go ahead: be your own DJ, and turn up your favorite songs any time you need a little lift.

Feed Your Inner Child It never fails: I post a photo of colorful popsicles on Instagram, and my feed is suddenly swarmed with positive comments and happy memories! When we indulge in the treats that made us feel good as children, we channel that inner child-like wonder. Slather some nut butter onto whole-grain toast (or a sweet potato slice!) and top it with fresh fruit for a joyful, grown-up take on the ol’ PB&J or load up colorful Watermelon Burst Popsicles and just try to keep your inner child from feeling giddy.

Seek Out the Sun Sitting at a desk under artificial lights all day is enough to sap the joy from even the most carefree person. Instead, make time to really savor the season: take a walk on your lunch break and let the sun warm your skin, or open a window and listen to the spring showers as they work to bring us summer flowers. You’ll be amazed at just how much a breath of fresh air can refresh you.

Try Something New Variety really is the spice of life…! So spice up yours by looking outside of your usual routines. Try a new recipe – or pick up a veggie at the farmer’s market that you’ve never cooked before and challenge yourself to learn how. Change your environment by setting up your laptop on the deck, in the back yard, or at your favorite cafe, instead of at your desk. Sign up for a new class at the gym, or visit that yoga studio you’ve been meaning to try. Simply breaking up your routine a little bit leaves room for fun to find its way into your day, every day.

Cut (or at Least Unplug) the Cord We’ve talked a lot about stepping away from your technology, and the truth is, a break from your phone (or your overflowing inbox) is one of the fastest, most practical ways to let a little more fun into your life. Make a coffee (or matcha!) date with a friend and leave your phone in the car, or spend a few quiet moments coloring or writing a postcard to a family member, instead of scrolling through your social media feeds. When you’re fully present, it’s much easier to feel relaxed and have fun.

Now it’s your turn: How do you find the fun in your everyday life? What are your favorite ways to make room for tiny moments of joy? Let’s inspire one another to not take ourselves so seriously.