Let’s have fun!
Have you ever been told to “lighten up”? When people told me that, I used to become defensive. But I’ve since learned that even important situations can be handled in a light, fun way. Creating a game and having fun can bring a joy to everyday events and reduce the stress associated with negative ones.
I once had a long list of documents to gather and prepare for immigration. Compiling letters, birth certificates, records of marriage, and tax information sounds less than fun. However, I turned it into a game. I knew I could gather the information; the stress was in the mundane aspect of it. So I made a list and played a matching game! Could I match up every item on the list with a corresponding document? Could I complete the list in a week? Could I gather the papers in alphabetical order? Get the marriage license before the tax records? Sure! And I made it fun.
I sometimes like to think of a worst-case scenario. Once I am aware of how bad things could be – and I know they won’t get that bad – then I can move forward in a light way, confident that I can handle any scenario.
Games can significantly alter one’s perspective. Try it. It’s fun!
