- The more we strive for happiness and the more we think and value it the more disappointed we tend to feel. It's kind of like a trap. - Happiness is a state of mind and you can't really force that. But fun is something you can be intentional about to give you that state of mind. See also [[True Fun]] - It's important to really understand what are activities that give you joy and what makes things fun for you. Something to reflect on and note when you're having fun. - It's also worth reflecting and recognising what is [[Hard Fun vs Soft Fun]] --- "Happiness is a state of mind," Rucker writes. "But fun is something you can do. It doesn't require education, money or power. All it requires is intentionality. If happiness is a mirage, fun is your backyard oasis." - [Link](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/04/1150518287/fun-play-happiness-stress-reduction) "Happiness is really an evaluation," he says. You are constantly asking yourself what is going right and what is going wrong. It can become a trap, he warns. - [Link](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/04/1150518287/fun-play-happiness-stress-reduction) People who highly value happiness may end up feeling "disappointed about how they feel, paradoxically decreasing their happiness the more they want it," wrote the authors of a 2011 study in the journal Emotion" - [Link](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/04/1150518287/fun-play-happiness-stress-reduction) "Put your phone away for a while and come up with three to four memories when you had real fun," she advises. Look for common threads, like which people are involved, what kinds of activities you enjoy, where do they take place. Are there activities that would be fun that you'd like to try? Are there activities you can get rid of that are not fun?" - [Link](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/04/1150518287/fun-play-happiness-stress-reduction)