1. Alignment: Make sure you’re aligned with whatever it is you’re serious about and working really hard at. If you’re playing a sport to please your parents (because they’re living vicariously though you) or you’re practicing law because a younger you thought it would pay a lot of money (turns out, you also have to pay a lot in stress and time committed)—then obviously, it’s not going to be fun because you’re not doing the thing for you. See maybe you don’t align with the sport your parents are pushing you to play… but, you do find yourself drawn to a different sport or can’t help but doodle and draw when you’re passing time. Doing things because you enjoy the means is play… doing things because of a specific end is work. Prioritize doing more of the things you would do even if you weren’t being paid to do them—things that maybe you’re even paying to do. Enjoying the means is the crux to having fun.
2. Prioritize play: Once you’re in alignment, the second part is to give yourself permission to not take yourself so seriously and be more playful. Being playful is a mindset and a skill that’s developed just like any other muscle. Maybe you joke more or answer questions in silly ways or smile in the midst of busyness or cheer somebody up who’s beating themself up or model taking responsibility in a more lighthearted way… Ultimately, this step isn’t something that should require too much conscious effort… it’s something that should naturally arise when you’re aligned and you’ve given yourself permission to do so.