TLDR: I’m Reading Self-Help Books, and I Need Your Suggestions 

I started Year of Fun project out kind of as an impromptu experiment. Can I add more fun in my life by just being intentional about it? 

I used to be a work-hard, play-hard kind of person, but that version of myself has slipped kind of to the back burner. I burned out. On work. On play. I slipped into a mediocre version of myself, the kind of self that needs rejuvenation. 

If you missed my last post, I discussed my 12 Fun Themes, and the rough structure of the experiment.

How I Got Where I Am Now

The pandemic, and working food service during the pandemic, fast-tracked me to this state of crisis. On the worst days, I found out my favorite customer died of COVID, bread was thrown at me, and I spilled coffee everywhere. On the best days, I hung out with coworkers in a socially distant environment. But I didn’t thrive. 

I took another job, which was supposed to be my salvation, only to burn out further. With strict deadlines, unrealistic expectations, semi-mandatory overtime, and lack of supervisor support, I sank. I took a year to freelance (which was admittedly amazing. I was nominated for some excellent awards), but it became apparent that freelancing wasn’t my path forward. A sabbatical was.

My Sabbatical – Shorter than I Expected 

I needed to take some time to myself. So I started working at a farm. Although I loved working there, my termination coincided with a tragic car accident. Thankfully, after a week in the ICU,  I’m alive – but I lost hearing in my left ear as a result of the crash (kinda metal, but really inconvenient). 

Recovery was laborious and I hated it. Doctors told me I couldn’t return to work for two months. To be honest, I’m still regaining stamina. But I like to pretend everything is fine and dandy. 

The latter half of those two months, I spent on the job market. I fixed my resume, bought an expensive (to me) suit, and interviewed at four promising companies. After a slew of no’s and a little bit of despair, I landed a job at a nonprofit in DFW that has 17 different social services programs. I also start my master’s next month. 

Securing a job after six months of unemployment (aside from an occasional freelance gig and the month and a half at the farm – which netted about $3,000 between the two) helped me reduce the lethargic feeling in my life. But I’m still dissatisfied. 

Reading to Solve Problems

So I did what I always do, and I hit the books. The Happiness Project highlighted two areas that I’m going to pursue during this project: Fun and Passion. Next, I’m reading The Power of Fun and Trying Not To Try. 

I won’t be done with these books by the time my project is ongoing, but they’ll help frame those first few months. 

What other books should I read during this Year of Fun?

P.S. Thank God I enjoy reading for fun – but usually only non-fiction, self-help types because I’m a glutton for punishment.