Do you like to have fun?

I know that sounds like the beginning of a terrible commercial, but I am sincerely asking the question. (Feel free to answer in the comments!) I’ve been thinking about this because I’ve been asked “What do you like to do for fun?” a few times in recent months and the question always leaves me stuttering. There are things I enjoy doing, but I can’t say that I ever think of things in term of how much “fun” they are.

One of the things I’m enjoying about being in my forties is realizing that just because some things are discussed in our culture as though they have universal appeal doesn’t mean I have to like them. Travel, for example. Sometimes it seems like everyone in the world agrees that travel is desirable. Specifically exploratory travel where you go to either historic landmarks in Europe or exotic natural locations. My husband and I go to the same quiet beach location every year to get a little rest and relaxation and, honestly, I could be happy with just that for the rest of my life.

Board games. Team sports. Costume parties. Parades. Music festivals. Don’t even get me started on theme parks. I don’t particularly like any of those things. And in fact, I feel exhausted thinking about every one of them. Even board games. There are some exceptions, but generally, I would not describe a single one of those activities as fun.

I appreciate that other people do. And I understand that there are benefits to them. But given the choice, I’d rather just talk or read a book or watch TV. It’s hard to describe those things as “fun”. I enjoy funny things and experiences and people, and I can be funny myself sometimes. But that’s different.

Mostly, I think all of that just makes me an introvert, which I’m cool with. This is not a criticism of fun; that would be ridiculous. It’s just me realizing that I used to feel I was supposed to like more things that might be thought of as fun, I am feeling that pressure less, and that is very nice.

I do wish, though, that we would ask a different question more often: How do you like to spend your time? That would be so much more interesting to me.

Which question do you prefer? How would you answer it?