What do you do for fun? It’s a harmless question, right? So why does it feel so hard to answer? And what do you actually like to do for fun? Let’s find out.
Everyone’s so cool and fun and incredible… they’ve got shades on, lil’ cute doggies, dope fashion senses, loud laughs, CEO Co-Founder tags under their LinkedIn name. Obviously, people talk a good talk and front a good front. Looking like you have a fun life isn’t the same thing as actually having one. But what do you like to do for fun?
Being asked that question, for some reason, can feel paralyzing. Maybe it makes you question whether you spend your time off work productively enough. Maybe you feel silly for admitting your real hobbies. Or maybe you feel self-conscious about your screen time when someone asks you what you do for fun!
Either way, whether it’s to make friends at work or score some dates, you need to know how to answer this question. So, what do you do for fun? [Read: How to be more interesting – 21 tricks to go from boring to lovable]
The Psychology Behind the Question
When we meet someone new, be it a potential love interest or a budding friend, one of the first questions that often comes up is “What do you like to do for fun?” or simply, “What do you do for fun?” It’s a question that seems simple on the surface, but it’s loaded with deeper implications and possibilities. This isn’t just small talk; it’s a subtle and powerful tool for connection and understanding.
Firstly, this question serves as a brilliant icebreaker. When you ask someone about their fun activities, you’re inviting them to share a part of their world. It’s a non-intrusive way to get to know someone and can quickly warm up the conversation. By discussing shared interests, you’re laying down the foundation for a deeper connection. [Read: 80 very good conversation starters that’ll make anyone love talking to you]
But it’s not just about making small talk. The activities a person enjoys reflect their personal interests, values, and priorities. For instance, someone who loves hiking and camping might value adventure and the outdoors, while another who enjoys reading and writing could prioritize learning and introspection. This question can also give you a sneak peek into their social nature. Do they prefer quiet, solitary activities, or are they all about high-energy, social gatherings? Understanding this can help you gauge how you might fit into each other’s lives. Research even suggests that couples who enjoy similar activities often have higher relationship satisfaction.
Your Potential
When it comes to our free time, we can easily fall into a rut. Working a full-time job, doing household chores, potentially taking care of your family—all of these things can leave you exhausted and with barely any time to yourself. When you do finally get an hour alone, so many of us just put on a film or scroll through our phones. But if you were to tell someone that, would you feel proud or maybe a bit embarrassed? Like you should be doing more?
Stress, exhaustion, and burnout are all valid reasons to become passive when it comes to doing things for fun. But if you break out of that rut and pursue interests and hobbies that light a fire under you, you’ll regret not doing it sooner! [Read: How to reduce stress – 17 fastest hacks to a calmer and happier life]
If you are passionate about fashion and developing a personal style, you could teach yourself how to knit unique sweaters and scarves. Love food? Buy a new cookbook and challenge yourself to cook and eat something you’ve never tried before. Or if you have a deep interest in cars, try your hand at car model-making.
Using your free time to develop your interests, try new things, and amass a collection of homemade or collector’s items that reflect your personality will introduce a new spark to your life. It’ll make you more passionate, maybe even more ambitious. And it’ll definitely make you more proud to answer, “what do you like to do for fun?”
How to Answer the Question: “What Do You Like to Do For Fun?”
So you’re chitchatting with your newfound friend, and out of the blue, they hit you with the question, “What do you do for fun?” Your mind starts to spiral, replaying all the “fun” things you’ve done. What if they think it’s not fun at all? What if… But hey, no sweat! Here’s how you can nail your response:
1. Getting asked the question
What should you say when you get asked, what you do for fun? Pretty simple… just start speaking without trying. Don’t take the question as some kind of test. It’s not a big deal. You don’t need to explain and defend what you’re into.
In the words of R&B singer 2lack on his song ‘High Rules’: ‘Rule number 1 no explaining.’ If you find your answer is full of insecurity, you’ve been given the gift of feedback. Work out what is causing you not to be proud of your own day-to-day. [Read: 50 secrets to get your shit together when you’re feeling really stuck in life]
2. Do you make yourself laugh a lot?
Do you often find yourself laughing? This is crucial to know if you actually spend your free time having fun.
When you’re going through a rough patch, whether it’s a bad week or a tough few months, there’s often a negative momentum that builds up. You might find yourself less inclined to indulge in amusement, silliness, laughter, or playful provocation. This can keep you locked in a serious mindset toward life.
However, when you start finding reasons to laugh, even trivial or silly ones, it creates a positive upward momentum. You might enjoy watching comedies, catching a stand-up show, hanging out with friends at lively places, or listening to an engaging audiobook. All of these things build up on each other, making your life overall a blast. [Read: 40 ways to have fun with friends, beat boredom, and create new memories]
3. Are you hustling?
Just having fun all the time becomes hedonism. It’s like going to an amusement park and never leaving. The ‘fun’ becomes completely empty. Slipping, when it comes to taking care of business and work, feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
However, being on-game when it comes to work can be deeply fun just by itself. It’s satisfying to know that you’re making progress towards your goals. Anyone who says otherwise is lost. Try avoiding this one and you’ll have major boredom problems.
4. Are you taking risks?
Who has the most fun? The hero. The rock star. The rebel. Cool, fun people do things that put themselves out there like:
-Organizing events
-Doing public speaking
-Meeting new people
-Shipping personal work and projects
-Going out into the unknown
Fun and scary are like closely related cousins. So you’ll probably never be short of fun when you’re living close to your edge. [Read: 26 social mind tricks to be more outgoing, friendly, and talkative instantly]
5. What’s your social life like?
Humans, by nature, are very social creatures. So, if you don’t have people you hang out with, you will have a lot less fun. It’s the people who know and like you that provide the friendship aspect of a fun life—not strangers.
Your close friends allow you to reveal parts of your nature that would otherwise go unnoticed and shrivel up.
6. What are your hobbies/past-times?
This is probably the question most people think of when asked what they do for fun. It doesn’t need to be something major, just something that suits your lifestyle and that you enjoy.
For an extrovert, this could be a group gathering. For a busy parent of two, it could be reading a book in the evening when the kids are sleeping. If you have no outlet that you look forward to during your day and week then… that’s pretty lame.
Social event websites like Meetup.com allow you to meet people who are into sports/specific hobbies and connect over a game or event.
Also, screw it if people think what you’re into is lame. If you’re into landscaping, own that! Make a YouTube channel about why it’s so cool. Go all out. [Read: 70 true secrets to happiness to have a happy life and enjoy everything you do]
7. What’s your personality like?
When you think about different personalities, you’ve got your extroverts and your introverts, and they’re like night and day. Imagine someone who’s a total extrovert. This person thrives on chatting it up with just about anyone and doesn’t like being cooped up in one spot. They’ve got this knack for connecting with people they’ve just met—it’s like they see the real person behind the small talk.
Then you’ve got your introverts. These folks can do the whole outgoing thing, but only in small doses. Being “on” all the time? That’s not their jam. It would just leave them feeling wiped. They’re all about that quality alone time. Think creativity, deep thinking, and those significant one-on-one connections.
Knowing this about yourself is super helpful. It means you can shape their life in a way that really gets you jazzed, choosing experiences that fit you like a glove.
8. Do you have fun anywhere, any time?
If an activity needs to be epic to feel like you’re having fun, then you could be setting the bar too high. The most fun people can make any situation feel more fun simply by being in the same room as you.
Sometimes ‘having fun’ really is just a practice. It’s having a habit of amping yourself into a fun state of mind. At first it may feel forced. But as long as you persistently keep searching for that true resonance, you will eventually find it. [Read: 41 rules of life to never be unhappy and be the one who screams “I love my life”]
9. Are you creative?
You’ve probably heard people using the word creativity in a way that includes everyone. Problem is, if we apply a word to everyone equally, then those words lose their meaning.
Clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson describes how, scientifically speaking, some people are highly creative, while most people aren’t creative AT ALL.
Some people become truly miserable if they are not able to create: books, architectural designs, music, artwork, accessories, etc. So asking yourself this question tells you a lot about what fun might mean to you. Ask yourself what you’ve created in the last year and if it matters. [Read: Follow your dreams – all the amazing reasons why it’s totally worth it]
Some Pointers in Answering ‘What Do You Like to Do for Fun?’
Okay, now that you understand the significance behind the question, “What do you like to do for fun?” it’s time to nail down how to answer it effectively. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
1. Honesty is key
First and foremost, be authentic when sharing your interests. It’s tempting to mold your answer to what you think others might find impressive or appealing, but remember, the point is to share a true part of yourself. Authenticity fosters genuine connections. Plus, it’s a lot easier to talk about something you are genuinely interested in than to keep up with a facade.
2. Avoid tailoring your answer
In the same vein as being honest, resist the urge to tailor your answer just to match the other person’s interests. It might seem like a shortcut to compatibility, but it’s often transparent and can lead to awkward situations down the line. You want to connect with people who appreciate you for who you are, not for a version of yourself you think they’ll like. [Read: 33 secrets to be true to yourself and 15 signs you need to unfake your life]
2. Be specific
Instead of vague answers like “I like music,” dive into specifics. Say something like, “I love discovering indie artists on Spotify, or I enjoy playing the guitar on weekends.” Specifics invite further questions and show that you’re truly passionate about your hobbies. It turns a simple answer into a full-blown conversation.
3. Detailing your hobbies
When you get into the details, it paints a clearer picture of who you are and makes it easier for others to find common ground. For instance, saying, “I enjoy hiking and recently conquered a challenging trail,” not only shows your interest in hiking but also opens up an avenue for someone to connect over similar experiences or aspirations.
4. Share stories
Personal anecdotes are a fantastic way to bring your hobbies to life. If you love cooking, share a story about a recipe disaster that turned into a surprise hit. It adds a personal touch and can often lead to a good laugh or an engaging conversation. [Read: 31 secrets to be charismatic and awe and draw people to you in a snap]
5. Show enthusiasm
When you talk about what you love, let your enthusiasm shine through. Your energy and passion can be contagious and can make the conversation enjoyable. It’s not just about what you do for fun, but how you feel about it that other people will be able to connect to.
6. Balancing enthusiasm with humility
In the same breath, while it’s great to be passionate, balance it with a sense of humility. You don’t want to come off as boastful. It’s about sharing a part of your life, not proving how interesting or unique your hobbies are.
7. Invite conversation
Lastly, after sharing, flip the question back to them or ask a follow-up question. It shows you’re not just there to talk about yourself but are also interested in what they do for fun. It turns your answer into a two-way street and sets the stage for a balanced, enjoyable conversation.
[Read: 30 ways to get to know someone, open up to them, and create a genuine bond]
So, What Do You Do For Fun Again?
If you don’t feel proud of how you’re living, then your passion will naturally die out. You’ll also lose connection to your unique interests, compulsions, and sense of what fun actually is. So, jump head-first into a new hobby or reintroduce yourself to an old interest, and watch how your life sparkles.
[Read: 80 very unique, fun, and exciting things to do with your boyfriend]
Take risks, tell the truth, have friends, follow your gut, and make sure you hustle like you’re supposed to! So what do you do for fun again?
