Vitamin F: Learning to Have More Fun Again

I decided to crawl out of my emo-pool recently and realised I might have a deficiency in Vitamin F…FUN. 😂

If we really think about it, every second and every minute of our lives, we are free to make decisions. We are free to choose.

And I think I’ve been lacking in the fun department lately.

I keep checking tabs on myself based on how productive I’ve been (though I’m happy to say that I can enjoy my mornings a lot more guilt-free now… check out this blog where I talked about it). And I realised it’s almost like trying to earn my worth through productivity - like receiving a monthly salary because I’ve been “working hard enough.”

So here’s what I’ve been trying to do differently lately!

Worthiness Paycheck

I started imagining myself receiving a “worthiness paycheck” first thing in the morning - so I don’t need to be productive to earn it.

It’s actually been quite a fun experiment. My self-awareness made me realise how much my brain spends the day hunting for proof of how much work I’ve done to deserve my “paycheck” of worthiness.

Vitamin F #1: Pick Up Reading

If you didn’t already know - I became a baby ARMY in March.

Becoming a baby ARMY unexpectedly reminded me to reconnect with joy, creativity, and choosing life again. I stan all 7 but my bias is Jimin - I have a soft spot for talented androgynous guys ©bighit music/HYBE

ARMY is the fandom of BTS, a 7-member Korean group currently on their global tour.

As I started catching up on their 13-year journey, what really drew me in was their underdogs-to-top-dogs story, all while holding each other’s hands and supporting one another along the way.

I also love the themes of self-love, inner work, and choosing life in their albums and songs - many of which are inspired by books they’ve read. (Apparently they are avid readers, especially their leader RM!)

That inspired me to head back to the library recently and pick up some healing fiction books.

I’m usually more of a productivity and neuroscience geek, so it’s honestly not easy for me to sustain interest in fictional storylines but…

I picked up Days at the Torunka Cafe by Satoshi Yagisawa - I’m about two-thirds through it now, and I really love the simplicity of the writing and how it gently touches something deeper within.

A simple yet soulful read that gently touched something deeper within me.

I cried through the second chapter (hello, Enneagram Type 4 😂) and decided this is a book best read in a safe space where I can fully feel whatever comes up.

Highly recommend it if you’re looking for something simple yet soulful.

Here are some of the other books I borrowed from NLB that I’ll be reading in the coming days!

If you have any books you’ve been loving lately, please comment below - I would love to dip my toes into other genres too!

Trying something different lately - slowing down with healing fiction instead of productivity books & taking my BTS research seriously 😂

Vitamin F #2: Working Out

I’ve been more diligent about going for my reformer pilates classes lately because wow… I can really feel my age and declining metabolism as I inch towards my mid-forties 😂

Honestly, maintaining discipline has been hard.

But I always feel so good after each session, so this is one habit I definitely want to keep.

The biggest perk?

Hitting the pool after the workout.

Movement has been less about discipline lately… and more about feeling good in my body again.

I’ve always loved the anti-gravity feeling and freedom in the water. There’s just something so relaxing about a good swim (plus the appetite after 🤭).

Though… I’ve had to hit the pause button on this for a short while because I caught a flu bug. Bummer 😂

But even then, I found myself feeling really grateful for my healthy body. It reminded me of a quote that says:

“A healthy person has many wishes, but a sick person only has one.”

And honestly… it really put things into perspective for me.

Vitamin F #3: Dating Myself

I told myself that I wanted to have more 1-1 dates with myself this year… but I’ve yet to properly do it!

Recently, I’ve been feeling the urge to head to the ArtScience Museum for the teamLab Future World exhibit, so I might finally make a solo trip there.

Last year, I remember buying flowers for myself sometimes. That habit kind of died down, and I think it’s time to inject a little more fun and beauty back into daily life again.

A little reminder that beauty, softness, and joy are worth making space for too 🌸

Of course, watching BTS clips and listening to their music has also been bringing me a lot of joy lately and honestly… making me feel young again like a fangirl 😂

Vitamin F #4: Celebrating Myself

I’m also planning a little celebration for myself and Heart In Hand Atelier in August.

At first, the idea stressed me out so much.

But then I decided: why not let it be fun instead?

It’ll be a small private gathering anyway, and I’m actually excited to see what ideas might come up as I plan it.

Meanwhile, if you’re also deficient in Vitamin F…feel free to borrow any of the ideas above (they’re really not rocket science 😂).

And if you try any of them, tag me - I’d love to cheer you on.

Also… if you have any good solo date ideas, please share them in the comments below!