Doing Something...Just Because

I wrote recently about the importance of celebrating our accomplishments, no matter how big or small. I truly believe it’s important for us to step back and recognize what we’ve done – and how surprised each of us will be when we start listing our achievements.

But…sometimes…we just need to do something because it’s fun; because we enjoy it; because it puts a smile on our face; because it brings us joy. And it doesn’t really matter if you’re good at it or not.

I’m learning to play guitar (again). I suck at it. I’ll never be a musician. I’ll never sign a record deal. I’ll never play on a stage. But I enjoy it. It’s fun to plunk around on some chords. I do some woodworking projects over the summer, but they are certainly not professional or master level. They’re better than my first shoe rack, but…objectively…they are very amateur. But I don’t care. I enjoy it. For me, there’s something Zen about just trying to figure out how to make something. I’m studying birds in North Dakota. Will I ever be an ornithologist? Not a chance. But it’s exciting to tell the difference between a Chickadee and a Nuthatch. I play video games from time-to-time…because I enjoy it.

It feels like we live in a society and culture where so much is measured in terms of productivity and output. We worry that if we aren’t doing anything, we’re wasting time. And that if we are doing something, will there be a measurable outcome at the end.

Both the Norwegians (friluftsliv) and Swedes (fika) have terms for the type of behavior that relishes activity without a focus on output. For the Norwegians, the emphasis is on getting outside and simply enjoying nature for no other reason than to enjoy nature. For the Swedes, the emphasis is on taking a coffee break to socialize and chill – not as a means to continue engaging with work. In many ways, both concepts are simply about being. This is a difficult notion for us in the US to understand. What do you mean do something for fun?

And, of course, there are all sorts of benefits to simply doing something for fun – both physical and mental. Reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and creating connecting just to name a few.  

And, believe me, I know well the other side of this argument: “There’s just too much to do at home/at work, that doing something fun will only give me more anxiety. I just don’t have time.” That’s our society and our culture talking. That’s pressure we put on ourselves (because it’s become so ingrained) to always be doing something productive.

Now, get out there and do something that makes you smile for the sake of smiling! 😄 

Until next week.

Andy

(All written content created the old-fashioned way.)