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The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life
Discover the latest scientific evidence for the potent and revitalizing value of fun and how to make having fun a habitual and authentic part of your daily life with “this well-researched and impressive guide” (BookPage).Doesn’t it seem that the more we seek happiness, the more elusive it becomes? There is an easy fun is an action you can take here and now, practically anywhere, anytime. Through research and science, we know fun is enormously beneficial to our physical and psychological well-being, yet fun’s absence from our modern lives is striking. Whether you’re a frustrated high-achiever trying to find a better work-life balance or someone who is seeking relief from life’s overwhelming challenges, it is time you gain access to the best medicine available. “A masterful distillation of science and personal experience” (Nir Eyal, author of Hooked), The Fun Habit explains how you can build having fun into an actionable and effortless habit and why doing so will help you become a healthier, more joyful, more productive person. In the vein of Year of Yes, 10% Happier, and Atomic Habits, The Fun Habit features “practical tips, tools, and tactics for bringing fun into our lives starting now” (Dr. Olav Sorenson, UCLA professor of sociology).
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2023
356 people are currently reading
6934 people want to read
About the author
Mike Rucker
1 book13 followersDr. Mike Rucker is an organizational psychologist and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association whose work has been published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management and Nutrition Research. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Vox, Thrive Global, mindbodygreen, and more. Named one of ten digital changemakers by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, he currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness. Learn more at https://michaelrucker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
January 30, 2023
My current "word of the year" is "Delight," which, for me, encompasses a handful of related concepts: joy, play, mindfulness (in the sense of being fully present in the immediate moment) and, yes, fun. I chose this word in part because I'm good at "doing," but not so much at just "being," -- and, ironically, I needed a resource to give me some direction on what to do in order to attain this ability to "just be." The Fun Habit delivered.
There are two major elements intertwined in this book: a look at the psychology and biochemistry of fun, and practical suggestions for incorporating more fun into our lives. Because of the psychological element, I found this to be (ironically), not a very "fun" read. It wasn't the "light" reading I'd anticipated. However, it was packed with insights.
It also effectively provided the practical direction I was looking for, starting from a four-quadrant diagram of "PLAY," where the left column is easier activities the right is harder activities, the top is more fun, the bottom is less fun, and the idea is to adjust our lives so we aren't hanging out in only the bottom row.
"P" (top left) is for "pleasing" activities -- these are consciously pleasurable, but not very involved. Like maybe taking a walk in the sunshine. "L" (upper right) is "living" activities. These are high-fun, but also pretty involved -- like taking a vacation or walking the Appalachian trail. "Agonizing" activities (bottom right) are the things that aren't very fun, but still have to get done. Finally, "Yielding" activities (bottom left) are what most of us are doing in most of our free time. They're easy things but don't necessarily add value. Rather, we tend to fall into them by default -- lke endless scrolling on Facebook or watching whatever is on TV just because it's on.
Rucker goes on to talk about how we can accomplish these things, using a "Fun File" (that we create for ourselves) and a method he calls SAVOR -- for Story editing, Activity bundling, Variable hedonics, Options, and Reminiscing. I'll avoid spoiler alerts and let you read the book for yourself to learn more about each of these elements.
Besides talking about fun in life in general, he also spends some time talking about fun in parenting/with our kids, fun at work, and fun in volunteerism.
I found that many of the psychological insights found throughout the book are also applicable to other areas of life. In particular, there are some applications to church and education.
The Fun Habit is a secular book, and the author's worldview -- very different from mine, at base -- comes through. There are a few expletives scattered throughout the book, which is something to be aware of if that's a deal-breaker. It's mostly respectful of other views, though, with the possible semi-exception of opposition to the so-called "Protestant work ethic." (And, let's face it, that's Protestants' own fault for perpetuating the ridiculous and unbiblical idea that a "biblical work ethic" = workaholism.) The insights and conclusions are not only largely consistent with a biblical worldview but, in many cases, exceptionally supportive of it.
One important characteristic of the book in particular is that it's balanced. Perhaps surprisingly so, given that it's a book about "Fun." Although the focus is on fun activities (which also tend, for the most part, to be positive, enjoyable ones), Rucker took care to avoid toxic positivity or anything that might smack of irresponsibility.
Fun in real life has to be balanced with the recognition that not-so-fun things have to get done, and that not all of life feels "happy." (In fact, part of the book's foundational premise is that "happiness" is a deceptive concept, in part because it demands that we never feel sadness, sorrow, grief, etc. Fun is more about redeeming the time even when our circumstances are sorrowful.) In short, he recognizes Fun as an important element of a holistically-lived life, and treats it as such.
There are two major elements intertwined in this book: a look at the psychology and biochemistry of fun, and practical suggestions for incorporating more fun into our lives. Because of the psychological element, I found this to be (ironically), not a very "fun" read. It wasn't the "light" reading I'd anticipated. However, it was packed with insights.
It also effectively provided the practical direction I was looking for, starting from a four-quadrant diagram of "PLAY," where the left column is easier activities the right is harder activities, the top is more fun, the bottom is less fun, and the idea is to adjust our lives so we aren't hanging out in only the bottom row.
"P" (top left) is for "pleasing" activities -- these are consciously pleasurable, but not very involved. Like maybe taking a walk in the sunshine. "L" (upper right) is "living" activities. These are high-fun, but also pretty involved -- like taking a vacation or walking the Appalachian trail. "Agonizing" activities (bottom right) are the things that aren't very fun, but still have to get done. Finally, "Yielding" activities (bottom left) are what most of us are doing in most of our free time. They're easy things but don't necessarily add value. Rather, we tend to fall into them by default -- lke endless scrolling on Facebook or watching whatever is on TV just because it's on.
Rucker goes on to talk about how we can accomplish these things, using a "Fun File" (that we create for ourselves) and a method he calls SAVOR -- for Story editing, Activity bundling, Variable hedonics, Options, and Reminiscing. I'll avoid spoiler alerts and let you read the book for yourself to learn more about each of these elements.
Besides talking about fun in life in general, he also spends some time talking about fun in parenting/with our kids, fun at work, and fun in volunteerism.
I found that many of the psychological insights found throughout the book are also applicable to other areas of life. In particular, there are some applications to church and education.
The Fun Habit is a secular book, and the author's worldview -- very different from mine, at base -- comes through. There are a few expletives scattered throughout the book, which is something to be aware of if that's a deal-breaker. It's mostly respectful of other views, though, with the possible semi-exception of opposition to the so-called "Protestant work ethic." (And, let's face it, that's Protestants' own fault for perpetuating the ridiculous and unbiblical idea that a "biblical work ethic" = workaholism.) The insights and conclusions are not only largely consistent with a biblical worldview but, in many cases, exceptionally supportive of it.
One important characteristic of the book in particular is that it's balanced. Perhaps surprisingly so, given that it's a book about "Fun." Although the focus is on fun activities (which also tend, for the most part, to be positive, enjoyable ones), Rucker took care to avoid toxic positivity or anything that might smack of irresponsibility.
Fun in real life has to be balanced with the recognition that not-so-fun things have to get done, and that not all of life feels "happy." (In fact, part of the book's foundational premise is that "happiness" is a deceptive concept, in part because it demands that we never feel sadness, sorrow, grief, etc. Fun is more about redeeming the time even when our circumstances are sorrowful.) In short, he recognizes Fun as an important element of a holistically-lived life, and treats it as such.
April 29, 2023
I enjoyed this one! I think it presented some interesting thoughts on pursuing fun instead of happiness or even purpose in the way we normally think about them. You can't be happy 100% of the time but you can have lots of fun moments that make you happy and break up some of the negative ones.
I really enjoyed the section on work and how to make a potentially boring or meaningless job more fun and meaningful through your changes in mindset and some actions you can take throughout the day to change things up.
Minus 1⭐️ because I thought some of the examples and anecdotes definitely weren't the best. They were unrealistic for the average reader or more sketchy than fun. I also wish that maybe a list or more examples of easy everyday ideas for fun were included. The book also felt kind of long.
I really enjoyed the section on work and how to make a potentially boring or meaningless job more fun and meaningful through your changes in mindset and some actions you can take throughout the day to change things up.
Minus 1⭐️ because I thought some of the examples and anecdotes definitely weren't the best. They were unrealistic for the average reader or more sketchy than fun. I also wish that maybe a list or more examples of easy everyday ideas for fun were included. The book also felt kind of long.
September 21, 2022
The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life by Mike Rucker, is an all-inclusive, well researched book about having fun. The author makes the case that fun is one of the most important and fundamental aspects of life. It is actually good for us, but as we age, we make less time for it. He notes several scientific studies regarding happiness, fun and how our brains work. He writes about being intentional and creating the space for fun. Yet, he also addresses the idea of toxic positivity. He teaches us to examine how we spend our time and how to evaluate our choices … then proceeds to give examples on how to add fun and play into life. The author addresses how fun actually works, how comparison affects us, what time spent on social media can do to our concept of fun, how learning affects fun, and how exploring uncertainty, emotion, and risk-taking all have an effect on the fun we experience in our lives. Most importantly, he expanded my view and definition of FUN. It is PLAY, and so much more. Fun is friendship, pursuing goals, helping others, it is parenting and working, reminiscing (even about hard times) and living in the moment. He supports his claims with both scientific research and personal examples. He concludes the book with how we face death and what that means to our happiness now. Finally, he shares the story of his personal hero, Dr. Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture. If you are searching for more fun and more meaning in life, The Fun Habit is a great place to start.
March 18, 2024
I loved this being my last book of the year.
It really inspired me to change my routines and make fun a habit for me and my family (especially my kids!)
I am sharing this one with my husband and friends so we can all make small (or big) changes to our daily routines.
It really inspired me to change my routines and make fun a habit for me and my family (especially my kids!)
I am sharing this one with my husband and friends so we can all make small (or big) changes to our daily routines.
June 29, 2023
In a world driven by competition, where healthy habits had to be chalked out and marked to be accomplished and where every second of the day counts, even the thought of relaxing or having fun gives anxiety to a lot of us. However what we ignore is the fact that having fun has been proven to be good for us, both mentally and physically.
In this book, author Mike Rucker is all set to make you realize why making fun a daily habit is going to change your life for the good. Armed with scientific evidence and personal experiences, Mike takes you through a step-by-step guide on how fun can be inculcated in each and every walk of your life (personal, professional, social), bringing positive changes to it.
Honestly, I am really impressed by the amount of research done by the author on this subject and how he has applied the principles in his life and shared the experience in the book. As it happens with most of the books on habits, there were some principles that I would like to try and then there were others that I am not very sure about. But I feel like if I have to have an overall view, then I would say this book was enlightening.
However, I have a suggestion for you. If you want to read this book, go for the audiobook. I started with the e-book version but had to switch to audiobook because this book is a lengthy one and you have to have patience to read and grasp it fully.
All in all, I would recommend this book to you if you are a non-fiction lover and want to know more about how you can make fun a daily habit in your life.
In this book, author Mike Rucker is all set to make you realize why making fun a daily habit is going to change your life for the good. Armed with scientific evidence and personal experiences, Mike takes you through a step-by-step guide on how fun can be inculcated in each and every walk of your life (personal, professional, social), bringing positive changes to it.
Honestly, I am really impressed by the amount of research done by the author on this subject and how he has applied the principles in his life and shared the experience in the book. As it happens with most of the books on habits, there were some principles that I would like to try and then there were others that I am not very sure about. But I feel like if I have to have an overall view, then I would say this book was enlightening.
However, I have a suggestion for you. If you want to read this book, go for the audiobook. I started with the e-book version but had to switch to audiobook because this book is a lengthy one and you have to have patience to read and grasp it fully.
All in all, I would recommend this book to you if you are a non-fiction lover and want to know more about how you can make fun a daily habit in your life.
December 18, 2022
This book has the most subtle hints and reminders of how fun can be easy to achieve. This is coming at a time in my life where the encouragement for fun is a blessing. This is a book I am exited to share with other readers.
January 8, 2023
Incredible book and highly recommended. This book puts a new spin on the importance of having fun in your life, has support, but also acts as a reminder to do so.
April 4, 2023
Was not fun to read.
January 20, 2023
Kind of hard to rate this - it was a quick read but felt to me like most of these types of books: could have been the length of a magazine article. I get bored with the made up models for how to have fun.
On the other hand, there are some things to like:
- some of the best sections for me resonated because they are changes I’ve recently made and found his logic to be true. So good stuff but not helpful for me right now. This includes the negative power of social media and the addictive nature of it. Also the power of journaling, which I have always had a hard time doing consistently. A good way to focus on specific types of experiences.
- good section on positive escapism vs negative. The wrong kind can “ lead to alcoholism, burnout, low self esteem and depression” and I definitely concur. “Drinking and overeating will eventually leave you feeling empty” vs positive escapes like spending time with friends or in nature. Also - “the desire for self development is less pronounced when we are struggling and need to protect ourselves “
- the theme of doing things together with people is important and a section I do want to put into practice. He had practical advice on how to make this happen.
- the advice to reminisce and focus on positive memories, including using old photos as a prop to remember.
- practicing curiosity makes us more intelligent, resilient and helps our spirit stay young. When we are not curious and seeking out new things, we are more likely to deteriorate both mentally and physically
- love the advice to connect with locals on a trip. Makes me think of Rinker and Nick on the Oregon Trail. Also the fun we had circling Lake Superior on our bikes and dancing with the old ladies in some random small town. That was fun!!
- for good friendships you need: proximity; repeated, unplanned interactions; and a setting that helps us relax and take down our guard
- lack of friendships as bad for your health as SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY
- human beings are capable of nurturing five close relationships at a time
Ok that is actually a lot, I guess I’ll increase to four stars. I was overall annoyed by the made up paradigms, his examples of playing with his kids (yuck) and he seems kind of like a dork. However it is well researched, well thought out and obviously a lot of helpful stuff mixed in with what annoyed me. Lucky I highlighted the stuff I wanted to remember.
On the other hand, there are some things to like:
- some of the best sections for me resonated because they are changes I’ve recently made and found his logic to be true. So good stuff but not helpful for me right now. This includes the negative power of social media and the addictive nature of it. Also the power of journaling, which I have always had a hard time doing consistently. A good way to focus on specific types of experiences.
- good section on positive escapism vs negative. The wrong kind can “ lead to alcoholism, burnout, low self esteem and depression” and I definitely concur. “Drinking and overeating will eventually leave you feeling empty” vs positive escapes like spending time with friends or in nature. Also - “the desire for self development is less pronounced when we are struggling and need to protect ourselves “
- the theme of doing things together with people is important and a section I do want to put into practice. He had practical advice on how to make this happen.
- the advice to reminisce and focus on positive memories, including using old photos as a prop to remember.
- practicing curiosity makes us more intelligent, resilient and helps our spirit stay young. When we are not curious and seeking out new things, we are more likely to deteriorate both mentally and physically
- love the advice to connect with locals on a trip. Makes me think of Rinker and Nick on the Oregon Trail. Also the fun we had circling Lake Superior on our bikes and dancing with the old ladies in some random small town. That was fun!!
- for good friendships you need: proximity; repeated, unplanned interactions; and a setting that helps us relax and take down our guard
- lack of friendships as bad for your health as SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY
- human beings are capable of nurturing five close relationships at a time
Ok that is actually a lot, I guess I’ll increase to four stars. I was overall annoyed by the made up paradigms, his examples of playing with his kids (yuck) and he seems kind of like a dork. However it is well researched, well thought out and obviously a lot of helpful stuff mixed in with what annoyed me. Lucky I highlighted the stuff I wanted to remember.
March 30, 2023
I could not finish this book. I got about one-and-a-half CDs into it before I made peace with the fact it was wasting my time. It was a really dry, not-fun book about the importance of fun.
I knew this might not be my book right at the start, when the author spoke about, basically, keeping track of his happiness. Journals, graphing, some other nonsense. All to reassure himself that he was happy. And apparently not giving himself permission to ever feel bad. About ANYTHING. Like, he was really thrown off by the sadness that came over him when his brother died unexpectedly. This threw him into a tizzy, not just of sadness, but about the guilt of having felt sad. A bit later in the book, as he begins to give pointers about how to incorporate fun into your life, he talked about how to keep track of the time you spend in different pursuits. There were four different types of time-spending, and one of the categories was "agonizing". As in, the agonizingly awful things that you spend time on, usually because you have to (for me that's housekeeping). For both the author and his wife, their kids' bath time was agonizing. I mean, bath time? I know, we're all different, but bath time!?! Admittedly, both my kids liked to take baths, so it wasn't a struggle to get them in water (maybe that's because I always made bath time fun?) It seems to me that bath time for kids is inherently fun. Bath toys! Bath books! Bubbles, songs, silliness! One of the perks of having children is all the fun you get to have with them (yes, it's not all fun and games, but you do have the leeway and hopefully the creativity to make a certain amount of stuff into fun and games - like bath time). In order to rid themselves of the agony of bath time, these folks hired a babysitter to give their children baths. That just struck me as sad, and a wasted opportunity. I think to be truly happy, it helps to be able to create some fun out of the mundane when you can, so that you don't have to carve time out of your schedule and plan to go have fun - it's just naturally integrated into your life. It works for me.
So this person's ideas about fun are obviously quite different from mine. I'm lucky because fun is actually built into my job, and I already value fun, laughter, and enjoyable pursuits in my life in general. This book seems to be aimed at people who don't value fun, and don't think it should play any part in an adult's serious life. I don't know anybody like that (my friends, family and co-workers all seem to quite like fun also), but if you are a die-hard sobersides who gets no enjoyment from living life, then maybe this book is for you.
As I finish this, it strikes me that I often write longer reviews for books I don't like. Maybe that's because I don't always know exactly what it is I like about a book, but I usually know exactly what I didn't like.
I knew this might not be my book right at the start, when the author spoke about, basically, keeping track of his happiness. Journals, graphing, some other nonsense. All to reassure himself that he was happy. And apparently not giving himself permission to ever feel bad. About ANYTHING. Like, he was really thrown off by the sadness that came over him when his brother died unexpectedly. This threw him into a tizzy, not just of sadness, but about the guilt of having felt sad. A bit later in the book, as he begins to give pointers about how to incorporate fun into your life, he talked about how to keep track of the time you spend in different pursuits. There were four different types of time-spending, and one of the categories was "agonizing". As in, the agonizingly awful things that you spend time on, usually because you have to (for me that's housekeeping). For both the author and his wife, their kids' bath time was agonizing. I mean, bath time? I know, we're all different, but bath time!?! Admittedly, both my kids liked to take baths, so it wasn't a struggle to get them in water (maybe that's because I always made bath time fun?) It seems to me that bath time for kids is inherently fun. Bath toys! Bath books! Bubbles, songs, silliness! One of the perks of having children is all the fun you get to have with them (yes, it's not all fun and games, but you do have the leeway and hopefully the creativity to make a certain amount of stuff into fun and games - like bath time). In order to rid themselves of the agony of bath time, these folks hired a babysitter to give their children baths. That just struck me as sad, and a wasted opportunity. I think to be truly happy, it helps to be able to create some fun out of the mundane when you can, so that you don't have to carve time out of your schedule and plan to go have fun - it's just naturally integrated into your life. It works for me.
So this person's ideas about fun are obviously quite different from mine. I'm lucky because fun is actually built into my job, and I already value fun, laughter, and enjoyable pursuits in my life in general. This book seems to be aimed at people who don't value fun, and don't think it should play any part in an adult's serious life. I don't know anybody like that (my friends, family and co-workers all seem to quite like fun also), but if you are a die-hard sobersides who gets no enjoyment from living life, then maybe this book is for you.
As I finish this, it strikes me that I often write longer reviews for books I don't like. Maybe that's because I don't always know exactly what it is I like about a book, but I usually know exactly what I didn't like.
December 11, 2023
Reread December 10, 2023:
“It’s chaos. Be kind. Have fun.”
Still my favorite self help book of the year
First read March 6, 2023:
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD! I’m off to buy a physical copy that I can reread every year. 🎧
“It’s chaos. Be kind. Have fun.”
Still my favorite self help book of the year
First read March 6, 2023:
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD! I’m off to buy a physical copy that I can reread every year. 🎧
April 27, 2023
Easily my favorite "self help" style book I've ever read. Really resonated with so much he discussed here. Loved.
March 19, 2023
This is such a wonderful book with a joyous message. I love the storytelling mixed with the facts and science backing. The explanations are easy to follow and fun to read. I’ve read this book for free via Booksirens.
Every chapter start with inspirational and relevant quotes. The tone is sometimes a bit sarcastic, a tone I am all for.
The realism in the book is strangely comforting. You don’t have to maximize your life in every possible way to reap the benefits. I very much appreciated the part on toxic positivity where the author clarifies how that is something different from what he proposes.
There are a lot of concrete lessons, such as fun can and should be prioritized. If it is fun, take a break, if it isn’t finish it at once. Fun adds to productivity and helps you tackle the harder challenges.
The concrete lessons are one of the reasons why you should reread the book after a year or so. So you can take in the lessons again and see if they stuck the first time around. I am sure I didn’t grasp all the lessons yet or can remember them yet.
There are also reflection questions in the book that help with thinking about how you deal with the described topics. The book also make you think back to moments where you experienced what is being described.
Another part describes how to make journaling work for you. According to research, there is no need to journal every day to benefit from it. Something that I found to be quite the relief to read. Write when it matters to you and you’ll reap the benefits too.
What I didn’t like as much were the occasional mentions of covid-19. I understand this was a very influential time, but I am not ready to read about it yet. This book does mention it in a realistic and how can we learn from that time type of way, and yet I would have been happier if it hadn’t been mentioned.
I love the Eisenhower matrix for fun (PLAY model). However, it is a bit too complicated to understand from the matrix itself.
All in all a great book that I’ll for sure be - at least - flipping through again.
Every chapter start with inspirational and relevant quotes. The tone is sometimes a bit sarcastic, a tone I am all for.
The realism in the book is strangely comforting. You don’t have to maximize your life in every possible way to reap the benefits. I very much appreciated the part on toxic positivity where the author clarifies how that is something different from what he proposes.
There are a lot of concrete lessons, such as fun can and should be prioritized. If it is fun, take a break, if it isn’t finish it at once. Fun adds to productivity and helps you tackle the harder challenges.
The concrete lessons are one of the reasons why you should reread the book after a year or so. So you can take in the lessons again and see if they stuck the first time around. I am sure I didn’t grasp all the lessons yet or can remember them yet.
There are also reflection questions in the book that help with thinking about how you deal with the described topics. The book also make you think back to moments where you experienced what is being described.
Another part describes how to make journaling work for you. According to research, there is no need to journal every day to benefit from it. Something that I found to be quite the relief to read. Write when it matters to you and you’ll reap the benefits too.
What I didn’t like as much were the occasional mentions of covid-19. I understand this was a very influential time, but I am not ready to read about it yet. This book does mention it in a realistic and how can we learn from that time type of way, and yet I would have been happier if it hadn’t been mentioned.
I love the Eisenhower matrix for fun (PLAY model). However, it is a bit too complicated to understand from the matrix itself.
All in all a great book that I’ll for sure be - at least - flipping through again.
May 27, 2023
I'm navigating midlife and recently heard Dr. Rucker on a podcast, so I picked up his book at the library. The book has given me a new perspective on habits, fun, and personal satisfaction.
I feel the book did a good job breaking down behavioural science. It's dense in parts, but also digestible. His anecdotes didn't always resonate with me, but his personal journey did and has inspired self-reflection on my own habits and sources of joy. He makes it clear it's not just about carving out moments of frivolity, but about weaving enjoyment into everyday life.
As I've implemented Rucker's advice, I've experienced a noticeable shift in my mindset. If nothing else, a compelling call to infuse life with more fun.
I feel the book did a good job breaking down behavioural science. It's dense in parts, but also digestible. His anecdotes didn't always resonate with me, but his personal journey did and has inspired self-reflection on my own habits and sources of joy. He makes it clear it's not just about carving out moments of frivolity, but about weaving enjoyment into everyday life.
As I've implemented Rucker's advice, I've experienced a noticeable shift in my mindset. If nothing else, a compelling call to infuse life with more fun.
February 8, 2025
Good one! I didn't really know what I expected, but it rested my mind that I might have a humdrum life! 'Fun' isn't always parties and doing amazing things. It can be calm relaxing things! The author went deep into the psychology of fun and tips on how to approach the balance of energy towards things you like and don't like doing. Think about breaking habits, motivation, and pitfalls. The book did give me some 'ah-ha' moments, so it was a worthy read. I took notes and am working on my 'Play Model'. The author respects the reader and knows we all have to approach it in the way that works for us!
March 10, 2024
I think the target audience for this book is wealthy workaholics. So much ink is spilled trying to convince the reader that they are, in fact, allowed to have a little fun. The examples from the author's life are wildly unrelatable (travelling to Antartica, paying a babysitter to do bathtime 3x a week, down payment on a space flight).
Honourable mention also to the anecdote where the author talks about that funny time that he and his wife *pretended to have a new baby* so that old friends would get in touch with them - wtf!?
Honourable mention also to the anecdote where the author talks about that funny time that he and his wife *pretended to have a new baby* so that old friends would get in touch with them - wtf!?
October 26, 2022
The Fun Habit made some interesting points, however the book in general was no fun to read.
October 4, 2023
This book on fun was not fun to read at all.
March 1, 2023
Overall pretty decent information and a well written book. There were things I didn’t know about research into human behavior and psychology regarding fun, interest, and why we are the way we are. I only lower the rating to remark upon how a lot of the suggestions are not possible unless you have a certain privilege of money or time… which granted, the author did briefly acknowledge.
January 21, 2023
I think this guy mostly wanted to reminisce about his life.
I am a fun person I am a fun person I am a fun person I am a fun
I am a fun person I am a fun person I am a fun person I am a fun
December 16, 2023
This book helped me rethink long held beliefs I didn’t even know I had. It also gave me permission to relax and build fun into my day
May 12, 2023
Five stars to this book !! Having fun is the essential ingredient to a happy and fulfilled life. To have fun in the good and bad moments give you meaning and the strength to shine your light and spirit no matter the circumstances. It’s not easy to have fun once you begin to age … this is a great a great and inspiring book to remind us that it is not a choice to have fun …. It’s YOUR decision to take if you want your life to bring you peace, satisfaction and your best energy. My praise to the author for such a great and uplifting book a true piece of writing.
December 18, 2023
*4.5 stars
Lots of great tips and tricks for incorporating more fun into your life. Also, an introductory sciencey section about the health benefits of leisure and fun.
My favorite sections included:
-The difference between pleasing activities (easy to execute and are enjoyable), living activities (fun but a challenge) and yielding activities (easy to execute but don't add much value to our lives).
-Five Gateways to Peak Experiences
-Story Editing- spend time thinking about the fun you've had and how to incorporate smaller moments in your day
-Activity Bundling- find ways to positive elements into moments that might be underutilized. Audiobooks are great for this!
Definitely recommend this one.
Lots of great tips and tricks for incorporating more fun into your life. Also, an introductory sciencey section about the health benefits of leisure and fun.
My favorite sections included:
-The difference between pleasing activities (easy to execute and are enjoyable), living activities (fun but a challenge) and yielding activities (easy to execute but don't add much value to our lives).
-Five Gateways to Peak Experiences
-Story Editing- spend time thinking about the fun you've had and how to incorporate smaller moments in your day
-Activity Bundling- find ways to positive elements into moments that might be underutilized. Audiobooks are great for this!
Definitely recommend this one.
March 23, 2023
Kind of boring. I ended up skimming through the book rather than reading it through. Wish it was a little more zany & fun (doodle drawings, fun stick figures, etc) rather than so serious & science-based. I didn’t get many fun ideas like I had hoped. Two stars because there was plenty of psychological information supporting the idea of fun rather than happiness.
August 11, 2023
I'm not a frequent reader of self-help books, but as someone who has experience with depression and unhappiness (even when there's no specific environmental trigger that makes this so), I was intrigued by the premise of this work.
The author does a great job at highlighting his own experiences as they are relevant to the issues he discusses in the work, as well as painting fictitious scenarios that also apply to the message he sends regarding the futile search for happiness. While I have absolutely heard this before, that searching for happiness is not what brings you happiness (and it can have the opposite effect), I haven't seen a writer go into quite so much detail and with personal anecdotes on this matter of discussion.
Something I appreciate about the author's POV is that he doesn't poopoo the idea of medication or how brain chemistry and certain immobile issues play a role in depression and hopelessness. He recognizes that not all causes for depression can be removed simply by changing your lifestyle or modifying your general outlook on life (as useful as doing these things can be). I respect that, especially because many people who claim to have any kind of cure or solution to depression or unhappiness tend to promote lifestyle changes as a cure-all for all those negative chronic feelings as opposed to approaching the issue of suffering with nuance. This author recognizes the nuance of these issues, so 10/10 for him!
The author does a great job at highlighting his own experiences as they are relevant to the issues he discusses in the work, as well as painting fictitious scenarios that also apply to the message he sends regarding the futile search for happiness. While I have absolutely heard this before, that searching for happiness is not what brings you happiness (and it can have the opposite effect), I haven't seen a writer go into quite so much detail and with personal anecdotes on this matter of discussion.
Something I appreciate about the author's POV is that he doesn't poopoo the idea of medication or how brain chemistry and certain immobile issues play a role in depression and hopelessness. He recognizes that not all causes for depression can be removed simply by changing your lifestyle or modifying your general outlook on life (as useful as doing these things can be). I respect that, especially because many people who claim to have any kind of cure or solution to depression or unhappiness tend to promote lifestyle changes as a cure-all for all those negative chronic feelings as opposed to approaching the issue of suffering with nuance. This author recognizes the nuance of these issues, so 10/10 for him!
November 27, 2024
Some books can change your way of looking into life and making a habit.
This book tells us how we change our life and let happiness inside.
It's very simple.
Yes.
Build a habit.
Don't lose it and follow it.
This book very neatly explains us about the scientific evidence about the way we change things and be happy.
I liked the argument here.
I might try it in the new year.
Kudos to the author.
This book tells us how we change our life and let happiness inside.
It's very simple.
Yes.
Build a habit.
Don't lose it and follow it.
This book very neatly explains us about the scientific evidence about the way we change things and be happy.
I liked the argument here.
I might try it in the new year.
Kudos to the author.
June 11, 2025
A science-heavy guide to intentionally making your life more joyful. Dr. Rucker relies on a lot of positive psychology, neuroscience, and social science to make his points and he gets really into the weeds. If you like deep exploration, you'll enjoy this one. If you're looking to be entertained, probably want to stay away from this one.
This was part of our book club selection and we were split down the middle, but I actually enjoyed the balanced tone. Those of us in the group juggling busy lives, it resonated the most.
This was part of our book club selection and we were split down the middle, but I actually enjoyed the balanced tone. Those of us in the group juggling busy lives, it resonated the most.
August 11, 2023
Loved the combination of research and personal examples! Found the concrete ideas and tools to be helpful. The research citations were clunky at times, but overall would recommend!
May 22, 2023
This book jumped off the library shelf at me with its colorful cover design. I'd not heard of Dr. Rucker before that, but I was intrigued by the title and through learning that he is an advocate for positive psychology. The premise of the book was an interesting subject to take up with the experience of the global pandemic and its aftermath a matter people are still working to understand the impact of. Citing the General Social Survey from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, the book found the percentage of Americans saying they are “very happy” fell from 34% down to 19%. Most recently, the General Social Survey continued to find "the public remains largely negative about the current state of the national economy and pessimistic about the likelihood of both short- and long-term improvements." With his background as an organizational psychologist, this book is grounded in relevant research. I appreciate his emphasis on having fun as he pushed back on the notion that grown-ups should not expend energy towards what at times get demeaned as childish pursuits. We makes it clear that while we can’t always create our own happiness, we do have the agency to find ways to be more joyful and outlets to have more fun. The describes how there are many outlets for fun in our world if someone is willing to put in just a bit of work. In an era marked by burnout and loneliness, pursuing more fun just might bring the well-being numerous people desperately need.
January 18, 2023
'The Fun Habit' by Mike Rucker is an interesting and novel take on habit and happiness. It emphasizes following a disciplined pursuit of joy and staying happy providing scientific backing along the way.
I loved the anecdotes, stories, and experiences narrated by the author. The language is engaging, quirky, and fun to read. The addition of pictures and diagrams is also appreciable.
There are so many gripping topics and concepts with scientific explanations which makes it a very sound read. The dopamine or happy hormone theory being an outdated concept and the importance of oxytocin, quoting research work, etc are just some things that caught my eye.
Einstein is an example showcasing that humor and intelligence are associated. The play model, creating your own fun file with a step-by-step guide, and the SAVOR system were brilliant. The usp of this book is its fresh concepts that we must have never heard of before. There was something unique on each and every page which made me learn so much.
The author has provided practical and easy strategies to attain happiness and how to enjoy after the moments. Movie references, the latest examples, famous personas under Hall of Fun, and amusing elements lace the narrative, which makes it a perfect read for anyone and everyone. The personal benefits of giving back, collective action, and self-compassion struck a chord with me. Instead of being terrified by death, he expresses the need to embrace it!
The language can get a little technical sometimes for some people, but this was an excellent read and I can't think of anything negative!
Read it for the content, the narrative, and the takeaways.
The author engagingly speaks to you and you will giggle quite often throughout the book. You won't be bored even for a minute and that I believe is the purpose of this book!
It's chaos. Be kind. Have fun!
I loved the anecdotes, stories, and experiences narrated by the author. The language is engaging, quirky, and fun to read. The addition of pictures and diagrams is also appreciable.
There are so many gripping topics and concepts with scientific explanations which makes it a very sound read. The dopamine or happy hormone theory being an outdated concept and the importance of oxytocin, quoting research work, etc are just some things that caught my eye.
Einstein is an example showcasing that humor and intelligence are associated. The play model, creating your own fun file with a step-by-step guide, and the SAVOR system were brilliant. The usp of this book is its fresh concepts that we must have never heard of before. There was something unique on each and every page which made me learn so much.
The author has provided practical and easy strategies to attain happiness and how to enjoy after the moments. Movie references, the latest examples, famous personas under Hall of Fun, and amusing elements lace the narrative, which makes it a perfect read for anyone and everyone. The personal benefits of giving back, collective action, and self-compassion struck a chord with me. Instead of being terrified by death, he expresses the need to embrace it!
The language can get a little technical sometimes for some people, but this was an excellent read and I can't think of anything negative!
Read it for the content, the narrative, and the takeaways.
The author engagingly speaks to you and you will giggle quite often throughout the book. You won't be bored even for a minute and that I believe is the purpose of this book!
It's chaos. Be kind. Have fun!
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