What Do I Need To Do To Start Living and Having Fun?

Surely this needs to be something big, right?

Dear Younger Tom,

In my last letter to you, I told you to start living life because life is too short not to.

I wonder what thoughts have trickled through your mind since then?

Probably lots and probably all of them have triggered some kind of anxiety. That's OK, it's to be expected and is part of the process of change.

Relax, you've got this.

That's right.

You've got this.

And in answer to your question about it being big… no it doesn’t need to be earth-shattering to be fun. Quite the opposite actually.

Yesterday, I had the most fun with my family and I did something that I never would have thought of doing because it was so simple and inexpensive that I thought there is no way anyone will enjoy this.

I was wrong.

Here's how the day panned out. I arranged with my sister and cousins to meet up in the park for a picnic and then to go swimming in the local pool. That was then followed by a quick catch up drink at a local pub with other family members who couldn't make the picnic/swim but still wanted to connect with their tribe.

 Hilariously, whilst waiting for my cousin to arrive at the park for the picnic, my sister parked in a layby, only to not realise she was running her car battery down.

 My cousin arrived, my sister gave her directions of where to park but when she came to drive off… she couldn't, the car was dead. 

 She asked me to go into the leisure centre and ask if anyone had any jump leads… because everyone knows that when you need a pair of jump leads you go ask the receptionist in a leisure centre ffs! 

 … Well, it turns out that nobody had any leads, however the guy behind the desk said 'Hang on let me call Steve…'

 I thought to myself who the bloody hell is Steve???

 Anyway, after a brief 30 second chat with Steve, I was informed not to worry as Steve will be here in 5 minutes with his generator to jump start my sister's car… and he could probably help with lifting my jaw off the floor (I have never seen this level of kindness and community spirit in England before and I was born here and have lived here for 42 years!) 

 I then thought this was a joke and started sizing up the guy behind the desk, ready to give him a clip round the ear.

 Turns out, not only was Steve real but my sister knew Steve's son from the local pub… it's a small world and the kindness of strangers should not be underestimated.

The car was started, we bid goodbye to Steve, promising to buy him and his son a pint in the pub and off we went to enjoy the picnic in the park, trying to avoid being shit on by the local seagulls and pigeons who wanted to nick our food every five minutes.

 The swimming pool was a blast, and I am so pleased to say that I beat my cousin in 5 out of 6 races… man she is so competitive!

One day, I am sure she will beat me, but I am also sure that day is far, far away in the future.

 The kids had a blast teaching baby Stanley to kick his little legs, Stan had a great time kicking his Uncle Tom in the face, Uncle Tom had a great time dunking all of his nieces and daughter under water… it was such fun, until Uncle Tom got a warning from the lifeguard to behave himself.

 At the pub, the remaining reprobates… I mean my lovely relatives joined us and we wasted no time in catching up with each other’s lives.

 And you know what, it was fun, it was simple, and it didn't cost the earth. I should really do more of this and stop making stupid excuses because I am afraid of things that could go wrong.

So, my friend, I wonder if you are inspired to replicate something similar with your loved ones and close friends?   

 Don't delay, life's too short.

 

Here is where I suggest you start… tweak it as you see fit, but just start.

 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is it that I used to enjoy the most and made me feel happy to be me?

  • (Maybe choose 3-5 things initially)

• If I were to try and replicate it, what would need to happen?

  • Is it an experience from a geographical place/certain people/activity?

  • Can it be replicated?

    • If NO then choose something else

    • If YES

      • Find the easiest, most cost effective way to replicate it and DO IT.

• Can you do something similar yet easier to currently access?

  • Something closer/cheaper/requires less people to co-ordinate

• Why is this fun and how could I make it more fun.

• What date works for everybody else?

  • N.B: Mustn't forget to invite Tom! ;)

Enjoy the planning and more importantly enjoy the event!

 Here's to more of them!

 Love

Tom X