So you are wondering how to make life more fun.  Stop wondering, because we have five ways to make your life more fun and if you take our suggestions to heart, you’re going to start experiencing more joy in your life than you imagined possible.

A good friend of mine just posted a quote on his Facebook page. If you’ve ever watched Mame, I think you’ll remember it:

Live! Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! ~ advice from Auntie Mame

My friend has always been an example of living life to the max, always shifting gears in his life whenever things start to seem a little too boring or predictable. He never allows his life to get stale. During his most recent life transition, he sold his large house on the east coast and set up home in a small yet comfortable beachfront condo in Hawaii. New job. New digs. New adventures galore. Talk about a big life shift! He knows how to have fun, and part of his secret to drinking in the fullness of life is embracing change and new ideas.

Now you may not be ready to make a radical leap in your life that involves selling everything and heading to an island, but when you look at your life do you sometimes think you’re one of Mame’s “poor suckers who are starving to death”?

Life is meant to be lived wholeheartedly. You can’t delay happiness and fun because you simply don’t know how much time you’ve got. The time to enjoy your life is now!

I know what some naysayers might be thinking about now, and it goes something like this: “I would do it if I had money.”  You can live your life with that stuck-in-the-mud excuse, but you don’t have to. My Hawaii-dwelling friend was once a struggling young person who had to stretch every dime he made to the max, and I can tell you, he was a ton of fun back in those days, too!

So here’s my question for you: Would you like to have more fun?

Frankly, I don’t know who would answer “No” to that question.   Seriously, who among us can say “No … I have lots of fun and I simply can’t handle anymore, thank you very much.”

If you want to add more fun to your life, it means stretching outside your comfort zone and trying new things.

How to Make Life More Fun …

1. Take up a new hobby.   Chances are, there’s something that you always thought you would enjoy but never found the time or energy to try. Now’s the time to branch out and do something new.

The possibilities are endless: photography, organic gardening, restoring old cars, drawing, sewing, camping, horseback riding, painting, amateur astronomy, belly dancing, brewing beer, weaving, candle making, rocketry, pottery, falconry, spelunking, papermaking, ballroom dancing, train spotting, theater (either as a patron or a participant in the show!). And these are just a few ideas.    Want more? Check out this list of 100 cheap hobbies from Freeintenyears.com.

2.  Take up a new sport. Don’t make it about competition, instead, focus on the pure enjoyment of the activity. Also, don’t expect to be good at it; the fun is in the learning and improving.

Here are some ideas: disc golf, tennis, bowling, swimming, hiking, racquetball, bocce, golf, soccer, softball, fencing, ice-skating, surfing, rock climbing, scuba diving, skiing, martial arts, kayaking, dodgeball, cycling, billiards, volleyball, car racing, sailing, and fishing.

Consider a team sport so you can enjoy the company of others. Even better, make it a team sport that you do outside, so you can soak in the incredible energy that Mother Nature offers.

3.  Join a club or a group of people who share your interests. From political clubs to book clubs to quilting clubs and hiking clubs, there are lots of groups already set up related to your interests. Now’s the time to get outside your comfort zone and join one (or more)! Check out Meetup Groups in your area for specific ideas.

4.  Volunteer for a cause you care about.  While most people look at volunteering as service, there’s a ton of joy that can be found in helping others.

Here are a few ideas: animal shelters, national parks, food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, art museums, political campaigns, children’s advocacy groups, local schools, and most non-profit organizations.

Here are three websites that can help you find volunteer opportunities: The HandsOn Network, VolunteerMatch.org,  and CreateTheGood.org/volunteer.

5. Take a trip. Short on funds? No problem, even day trips count. Chances are there’s a world not that far from your front door that you’ve yet to explore. Research what’s available within your city. Explore what’s available within a 90-mile radius … close enough to be a day trip.   Got a few extra bucks to spare? Don’t whittle it away with indulgences at Target and Walmart … save up and spend your splurge money on an adventure. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Remember, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have fun!

So my final question to you is this: Are You Having Enough Fun in Your Life?  If your answer to that questions is “No,” you’re the only one who can do something about it.

Think about what would add fun to your life and then commit to doing it.   You deserve more joy in your life. Give yourself this gift often!

This article is dedicated to my dear friend Garry T. who has always been a tremendous example for me that life is meant to be FUN! Love you Garry ! ~ J. Marie Novak