Rediscovering the Joy of Doing Things Just for Fun
When I created BookCoverArt, I didn't have a specific goal in mind. I just wanted to make a collection of beautiful book covers, that's it. For a bookworm like me, who can get lost in a bookshop for hours just looking at all the beautiful designs and colorful covers, it seemed like a logical thing to do. And so I put it together.
After a year or so, when it started gaining some traffic, my mentor asked me why I didn't monetize that website. Honestly, I've tried and failed (you can read more about that in my updates here) and didn't want to put more effort into it. Managing it was taking time and money, not that much, but it was still a commitment, and I was considering selling the website altogether.
Long story short, it didn't sell, and for a while, I shelved it to focus on other, more promising projects. When I opened it after a few months, I remember the joy I felt from seeing all those artistic masterpieces on the webpage. It was so beautiful! And that was exactly why I created it - to enjoy the beauty of book cover design.
It got me thinking a lot about all the projects, hobbies, and skills we think we have to monetize; otherwise, why do it? Of course, there's immense value in turning our passions into profitable ventures; many successful entrepreneurs have done that. But somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost the desire to do things just for shits and giggles.
5 Reasons people stop doing things just for fun
So why does this happen? There are more than 5 reasons for sure, but this is what a bit of Googling suggests:
Monetizing everything: Society puts a lot of pressure and value on financial gains, so focusing only on activities that maximize monetary rewards is easy. And no wonder, with the global energy and cost-of-living crises breathing down our necks, the matter of survival becomes more important than hobbies and passion projects.
Perfectionism: It can easily transform a once-enjoyable activity into a daunting task. We begin to focus on outcomes rather than the process itself, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.
Weight of comparison: Social media makes it almost impossible not to compare ourselves to others. If a hobby or project isn't garnering likes, followers, or praise, we might question if it's worth our time and effort.
Time scarcity: The crazy pace of modern life leaves little room for unstructured, leisurely activities. Time is a precious commodity for high-performing individuals, so we often have to prioritize activities that align with our professional goals. Remember the saying that you can do anything but not everything? Yep.
Fear of judgment: Doing something just for fun can feel vulnerable. We fear being perceived as unserious or unproductive, so we avoid hobbies that don't easily fit into the well-crafted image we wish to portray, which can benefit our professional growth and development.
What happens when we stop doing things just for fun?
Well, nothing good. Having hobbies, passion projects, and developing skills that bring you joy is closely connected to being playful. Research showed that one of its biggest benefits is reduced stress. And who would say no to a bit more endorphins?
Besides reducing stress, it can also help to improve your creativity and curiosity. When you approach those activities without a set agenda in mind, you create more space for experimentation, reframing, and innovation. So when we neglect these seemingly unimportant projects, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to practice this type of thinking.
And last but not least (and it's in the questions) is fun. Fun itself is a valid reason to do something, not that we need one. Pleasure, joy, call it whatever you want, can be just as important as doing something for money. Yes, it’s not always possible, and we need to set our priorities straight. But it's not like we have to dedicate our whole life to a hobby - spending as little or as much time doing what makes us happy can make all the difference.
Doing things just for fun (AGAIN)
Children are probably the best example of how living in a moment and doing something just because can be great for us. Letting go of the goals and agenda can lead to some of the most profound experiences. If a child wants to eat dirt, it’s not because it will make it smarter/stronger/healthier - it’s because they want to eat dirt. And maybe hope that it will give them a superpower, but that’s not the point. When we allow ourselves to do things without the pressure of some tangible results, we create a space for unexpected discoveries, personal growth, and a deeper connection with our own sense of wonder.
Start with your mindset
The biggest change will have to happen in your head. Acknowledge that not every action needs to be profitable or goal-oriented. Start doing things just for fun and start small. Maybe pick a fiction book instead of a business one or go outside for 5 minutes and watch clouds instead of trying to squeeze in yet another task to be productive.
Use unstructured playtime
Yes, adults can play, too; there's nothing to be ashamed about! Schedule moments of unstructured play and exploration. Allow yourself to engage in activities with no set outcome in mind, giving your inner child room to flourish. If that sounds a bit too complicated, try getting a Lego set or creating something with dry clay (spoiler alert: it turns off your busy mind for hours).
Rediscover curiosity
Think of all the activities and hobbies that ignited your passion; could this be a good opportunity to revisit them? Or better, try something you have never tried before - especially if you considered it pointless and time-wasting.
I know, especially in the makers and entrepreneurial community, creating something just for fun might not be the most popular way to go, but don't underestimate the impact of doing things because they just make you happy. The pursuit of success is important; the pursuit of happiness and contentment is equally, if not more, significant.
As for BookCoverArt, I'm still looking for a way to monetize it so that at least it covers the expenses and continues growing. I want to continue this project going because I'm sure there are other people out there who love beautiful book cover design and can find just as much joy and inspiration in it as I do. But I don't want this project to become yet another dreadful task on the never-ending to-do list. So the biggest change in how I'm approaching the decision-making about it is about how I want to feel when working on it, not how much I want to make it. Let's see if it works.