Daily Prompt – December 20, 2025

What was the last thing you did for play or fun?

I make sure to enjoy a bit of play or fun everyday, even while I’m working. I think the worst thing we can do for our mental health is to isolate our fun time to specific times. Yes, vacations are important for getting away from the daily grind and stress of life. However, the more we can learn to step away from those things for a bit everyday, the less pressure we put on ourselves to have amazing vacations and the better those times are.

For me, I make a point of stopping work on time no matter what I’m in the middle of. It can be hard because I can become engrossed in something or I can get a request just as I’m getting ready to leave. Learning to say “I can deal with that tomorrow” has been game changing. As I am also in grad school, I have learned to stop that work after 2hrs or by 6pm whichever happens first. Additionally, Thursdays are always no school days.

I know, I know, you’re sitting there going thats great but you haven’t actually answered the question. I’m getting there.

Once I’ve disconnected from those stressors, I color or knit or crochet or work on a diamond painting. I might also work on this website or my YouTube or Twitch channels. Those things might seem like work but they are fun for me, they exercise a different part of my brain. I also enjoy watching TV. Lately, I’ve been rewatching Star Trek: The Next Generation with my partner who has never seen it. I also play games on my phone and iPad and just enjoy sitting and taking in the world around me.

I have big fun type plans coming later this year and I’ve enjoyed many big fun type moments this year but honestly, learning to appreciate this small moments is more impactful to me than those. Especially, as we go into the new year as I know I will have 4 months of no big fun type moments (except whatever I decide to do for my birthday) thanks to a big work thing. Leaning into these mindful moments will be essential to staying happy and healthy during that time. But don’t worry, once that window ends in April, my plans are big and full of fun times.