Recreation: It’s Not Just for the “Fun People” (Spoiler: That Includes You)

Let’s talk about recreation for a minute.

You know, that thing we all think we should do, but we’re not entirely sure we’re doing it right. Is it a hobby? A sport? A weekend at the spa? A new craft project you saw on Pinterest but gave up on after five minutes of tangled yarn and swear words?

The answer is: yes. And also… no.

Recreation is all of those things—and none of them, if they feel like a chore.

So, What Is Recreation, Really?

Here’s the simple version:Recreation is any activity you do for fun, relaxation, or enjoyment that helps you recharge your energy and feel good.

That’s it. No gold stars for productivity. No checklists. No “I should be better at this.”Just doing something because it makes you feel like a human again—not a stressed-out, overworked, caffeine-fueled husk of a person wondering why you’re crying in the grocery store parking lot (hey, we’ve all been there).

It’s More Than a Hobby. It’s More Than a Workout. It’s Life Support.

Let’s get one thing straight:Recreation is not just some side gig you squeeze in after everything else on your to-do list. It’s not just hobbies. It’s not just exercise. It’s not a “nice-to-have” if you magically find an extra hour in your week.

Recreation is what keeps you from throwing your phone out the window during a Zoom call.It’s what helps you stay sane when your teenager uses that tone.It’s what keeps you from turning into a robot who only eats microwave burritos and doomscrolls through TikTok at 2 a.m. (no judgment, we’ve all been there too).

Recreation is the thing that reminds you you’re alive.

What Counts as Recreation? Pretty Much Anything That Lights You Up

Let’s not overthink this. Here are some forms of recreation to inspire you (and no, you don’t have to do all of them—this isn’t a BuzzFeed quiz):

• Outdoor recreation: Hiking, gardening, fishing, camping, screaming into the void (in nature).

• Creative recreation: Painting, writing, baking things that may or may not turn out edible, playing an instrument (or attempting to), photography, DIY projects.

• Social recreation: Game nights, karaoke, yelling at your friends over board games (bonding, baby!), group hikes, brunch with mimosas.

• Relaxation-based recreation: Yoga, meditation, bubble baths with candles and a questionable amount of chocolate, staring at the ceiling wondering what day it is, reading a book.

• Cultural recreation: Museums, concerts, trying new food, pretending to know what that art piece really means.

If it makes you smile, feel calm, or helps you not throw a shoe at someone’s head, it’s recreation.

Why Bother? Because You Deserve a Life That Feels Good

Let’s face it—life is busy, messy, and sometimes downright ridiculous. We spend so much time working, caregiving, organizing, and surviving that we forget to just… be.

Recreation isn’t a reward you get after checking all the boxes.It’s the thing that makes life worth living in the first place.

So go ahead—make a little time for the stuff that makes you feel alive. Play. Explore. Create. Dance around your living room like nobody’s watching (or like everyone’s watching and you just don’t care).

That’s recreation. And you, my friend, deserve every bit of it.