*This is the second in a 3-part series on my defining “words” for 2012. Here’s the first one. I wrote this on New Year’s Eve at a spa resort in Arizona, surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on. Stay tuned for my last New Year’s word on Friday.
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There’s no question that I have one of the most fun jobs on the planet. I get to throw beautiful parties for a living, after all, then share and talk about them with creative readers all over the world! The only thing is, I can be incredibly Type A, which has the sometimes-good, sometimes-bad effect of keeping me extremely focused on accomplishing the items on my always lengthy to-do list. I’ve discovered that my determination to get stuff done can be detrimental to savoring the sheer process of doing what I really love. So my second New Year’s word is fun, as in, I want to have more of it this year. How do I plan to accomplish this? I’ll start by forcing myself to slow down, and forget about what I need to do later so I can enjoy what I’m passionate about right now. Oh, and occasionally playing hooky for the afternoon to make margaritas and lay by the pool can’t hurt, either.
I’d love to know: how do all of you infuse fun into the every day?
*image: Jules Falk Hunter via wit + delight
LOVE this, Camille and your thoughts behind it.
And may I just say that I adore that photo?
this might just be the best photo ever-if only the byrd’s painted feet were featured
. i am with you-lots more fun this year, and lots less stress 
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Definitely less stress more fun! We all need it. Great post, Camille!
I love fun!! I wish everyone felt this way.
I love this post Camille!
I simply want to carve out some time for more fun things and things I enjoy, no matter how small. I’ve been doing this, well trying to since November so it’s not a resolution per se, but Dec was so busy that I kinda slowed down. I’m trying to make an effort in reading more. With nba games and just trying to get my dvr % down & chores, I’ve slowed down and magazines are piling up. I haven’t bought a book in a while and that’s not like me. It’s one of my fav passtimes. So that and savor foods that I eat. I’m a girl on the go & I love to cook, but I eat my meals so fast that I don’t indulge in them as I should. Simple small things.
Thanks Miya, I totally agree that reading is a huge way for me to slow down and just enjoy doing something “unproductive.” I realized recently that I consume so many blogs and magazines on a daily basis because of my job, but it had been way too long since I’d gotten absorbed in a great book. I’m reading The Tiger’s Wife right now, and it’s such a beautifully written piece of fiction…a total escape.
I’m a happy person, I enjoy being with myself and with my friends. To have fun I’ve learned that you most have it when you don’t expect or plan it. I’ve just arrived home from having a long cup of coffee with my new co-workers: one is super heartbroken, the other has money problems and I don’t really know where my ife is heading right now… sounds dramatic, right? Well, we decided to joke about it and focus in all the things that makes us happy. We certainly laughed a lot
It is something I’ll try to keep up with even in my darkest days, it’s a nice word for 2012
(Expand was an awesome one too!)
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I’m a Type A person too! I, however, don’t have a creative and entertaining job like you do. Working in government can suck everything out of you. I may be tired after work some days, and on the days I come home early, I force myself to dress up and go out for happy hour with friends. I like to plan lunch dates, the last minute, on a weekday! I’ve also made it a custom to go out to brunch every Sunday (even in Central Park as a picnic) with some good friends. Don’t plan anything so far in advance and you’ll learn to appreciate every minute and will naturally slow down. I know how you feel. My job is just as demanding. I’m positive you’ll be great at bringing fun into your life! [This was a super long comment.]
So true Supal – on days where I have non-work-related lunch dates, I tend to come back to my desk energized, with a smile on my face all afternoon. Such a refreshing break in the middle of a demanding day!
Oh I’m with you! I play my video games or read for at least an hour a day. After a crazy hectic work schedule plus online courses I need as much fun as I can get. But my word for this year is breathe. I need to teach myself how to slow down and take care of myself and be happy with simplicity.