As a kid, fun was always spontaneous. Kids walk into a room, see other kids, and they become fast friends. Then they’re off playing make-believe and having a blast. Most of my childhood was spent playing outdoors. My friend and I would start a game of kickball or HORSE, and kids would just come and go and join in when they wanted. Play was free.
Nowadays, I still play, but if I want to play with my friends, it has to be planned. We usually have to book a reservation, put it on our calendars, hire a babysitter (unless the activity is kid-friendly), think about carpooling, and there’s almost always a fee just to participate. There’s a red wine I enjoy, and its cork reads, “Plan some spontaneity.” That cracks me up! But that’s what play has become as an adult; organized fun.
But thankfully, there’s a whole market out there for entertaining adults (I’m referring to the G-rated market!). My friends and I booked reservations to complete a treetop ropes course, escape a room, a zip line adventure through the Appalachians, and pottery painting at a local studio. This past Friday we booked an hour of axe throwing. It was so fun! Now I’m trying to talk my friends into doing one of those ‘drink wine and everybody paint the same thing’ events.
No, fun isn’t as free and spontaneous as it used to be, but it’s good to know that there are people out there who love to play, and are creating opportunities for you to join in the fun. This past year of stay-at-home orders, quarantining, and social distancing has not made fun easy, but don’t get stuck in a boring routine of sitting in front of your television. Free yourself from the confines of a boring adulthood! Do a search, call some friends, and plan some organized fun!
What’s an activity you loved to participate in as a kid? Can you plan to do it with some friends?
Juvenescent Junkets 