You Need a Fun List

After a heavy season, I realized something: I had forgotten how important it is to have fun.

In this episode, I'm sharing the summer fun list Bryce and I put together—from putt-putt and picnics to outdoor movies, bike rides, and all the little adventures we're saying yes to this summer. We also talk about why so many of us get stuck in problem-solving mode, how hard seasons can make us forget what brings us joy, and why creating more fun in your life might be exactly what you need right now.

Consider this your permission slip to make your own summer fun list and start prioritizing experiences that make you feel alive.

It's not that serious... go have some fun.

☀️ In this episode:

•  Why fun matters after a difficult season 
•  The summer bucket list Bryce and I created 
•  How to reconnect with joy in everyday life 
•  Simple ways to create more experiences and memories this summer 
•  Why you don't need a big reason to do something that sounds fun 

Question for you: What's on your summer fun list? 🌞

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@marycatemcdonald

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Transcript

0:00

Hi, and welcome to It's Not That Serious, Even When It Is. I am your host, Mary McDonald. I am a coach and use human design as a tool to see my clients deeply and guide them to a more joy-led and embodied life. On this podcast, we will have deep conversations and some giggles, because life can't be so serious all the time. Okay, so it has been a beat since I've actually recorded anything. So a lot has happened. I, um, had a retreat in Austin. I was in Oklahoma for a little bit. Um, and I... There's just so much that's happened, I think, in the past couple of weeks, or since I've actually recorded. 'Cause when I started this podcast, I actually started recording in March, and I had some, I had some episodes, like, going already so that I could have stuff in my back pocket when I was, like, tired. Um, but literally I was going to push myself to record something on Memorial Day, and I just, you guys, I was a little tired. I was tired. Um, I had had a long weekend. So, there's so much that I wanna talk about. I think I've got, like, four podcast episodes in me right now. Okay, this is what I'm feeling called to share today. So Bryce and I, um, started dating again. I don't know how to put that. We started dating again. That sounds weird. Um, we started going on dates again. We had really gotten out of this habit of doing that in the past year, and if you haven't listened to my episode on fertility and all the things that we've been going through, you won't know this. But we... Anyway, it's, it's been, it's been some time, and we weren't very intentional last year about just spending time together and having quality time together. So the past couple of months we've been really, really intentional about it. It's been so lovely. It's been so lovely. Like, date nights we're, like, not on our phones. Um, we'll, like, pick a different restaurant and so on and so forth. But I am on this little, like, kick to have as many experiences and adventures as possible this summer. Because here's the thing. I think when you go through something really difficult like all the fertility stuff, and I, I guess we're still going through it but, like, knock on wood I feel like really... I feel great if I'm being honest. I feel energetically great and physically, like, pretty good too. So I think one of the things that happens when you go through a difficult time is obviously you evolve and you grow and, um, y- you, you kind of go through this time where you kind of forget to laugh and, like, have a good time and, like, make light of things because everything feels so heavy and, like, a- and, like, you have to solve a problem and, like, things must be hard. And you know, in general I kind of think that people think that the way to success is, like, going through something really difficult or, like, making your way to success has to be, like, so difficult and so rar. And I guess I've just segued into personal development here, but, like, I, I really think that that's not the case. Like, it can feel difficult and we can have times where we're, like, growing and we're trying something new so that feels difficult. We're learning how to be a different version of ourselves. We're learning how to jump timelines. Um, we're learning how to be the person that we desire to be so that we can get to the things that we wanna do. And, um, I think in that journey sometimes we forget about literally just having some fucking fun. Um, so I said to Bryce, I was like, "Hey, what if we put together a list of things to do this summer and we, like, start crossing off the list?" So yeah, I am going to... As we do this I invite you on this journey to do something similar, um, because I think that we could all use, like- A lot more fun. Um, just in general, like, who... why is nobody having fun? I just, I feel like everything is so serious and, everything's so serious, and it's, like, bogged down, and it's hard, and ugh. And I get so s- I get so tired of the internet sometimes 'cause I'm just like, "God, you guys are, like, just fucking serious poopy poppies." And I just like, I don't know. I just, I wanna have a good time, especially coming out of this season where it's just, like, things have felt like a shit storm. So anyway, I said to Bryce, I was like, "Hey, what if we put together a list of, like, things that we wanna do over the summer, and we, like, start checking them off?" So you guys are invited along this journey with us as we do the things, and I invite you to make your own list because these things are, like, not complicated. You know? It's not like this, like, "We're going on this journey, and we have to do, like, do this crazy date and a scavenger hunt," although, like, scavenger hunt, I wish someone would set that up for me. I would enjoy that a lot. Um, did you guys ever do that? Like, as a kid, did you have, like, those birthday parties where it was, like, a scavenger hunt? Um, I think my best friend had one of those. It was really fun. Although I'm secretly competitive. I, I don't w- in my I don't wanna be competitive. Like, my brain doesn't wanna be competitive, my heart doesn't wanna be competitive, but my soul is competitive, right? Like, I really wanna win, and I don't like admitting that because I don't always win. I know. I know, really big surprise there. I don't always win, so I have this secret... It's probably not that secret. I really like winning, but, like, I just, I, you know. So anyway, that's difficult for me. Anyway, here are the things that we came up with. We, um, we have putt-putt is on our list of things. That's number one. I've been wanting to do this for a while. I haven't played putt-putt since I was, I think, in high school. Maybe I did once in college. I don't think so. Um, so I'm looking for a putt-putt place where we can, like, have a beer too because I love a summer beer. Like, I don't know how to explain that kind of joy. Um, if you drink, like, a summer beer is, like, chef's kiss. So I want putt-putt specifically with a, with a beer, and it can be, like, a shitty beer, too, you know? Like, I don't need, I don't need anything fancy here. In fact, like, I sometimes I think a shitty beer is almost better. It's like- I don't know how to explain that either. It's like we're not putting on airs here. We're just, like, playing putt-putt. So that's one. Um, two, I put down a picnic because I also really like getting outside of my house. I like my house. My house is great. Um, we have a lovely patio. Like, I could actually just rot on my couch outside but... And I have done that, and that's what I did this weekend. Um, I could rot on my couch outside, but I was like, "You know what? We should, like, go do a picnic," because we, we used to do that actually pretty often, and we even, like, grilled out one time at a park, and it was a lot of fun. It was just the two of us, but we just, like, went and we had a picnic. Um, the third thing I have on our list is I've lived in LA for like 14 years now, and I have not been to the Getty Villa. So the Getty Villa is, I guess, an extension of the Getty Museum. I don't know. To be honest with you, I don't know. I just... Apparently, it's really pretty, and I like pretty things. So the Getty Villa is on the list Um, okay, I have to grab my list here because I was recording, and then I realized I was recording on my pho- on my phone. Okay, yes. Um, I put down a bike ride. Look, if you know my history with riding bikes, it's, like, not that great. I am not great at riding a bike. I, in fact, tss, in fact, I fell off my bike when I think I was seven, and I did not get back on, right? I was a problem solver, so I got a Razor scooter. Yeah, take that, bitches. And so when I moved to LA, Bryce rides bikes. Like, he's a cyc- a cycling man at heart. And so I got a bike. My purpose behind getting bike was because I thought I would be really cute on it, especially if I, it had a basket. So Bryce tau- retaught me how to ride a bike so that I could buy this bike that had a basket on it. And, like, to be honest, I, like, was really cute, and I, it was a little cute beach cruiser. So I have ride a bike on here. I actually have a street bike now. I have graduated. I'm still not that great on a bike, and it s- still kind of, like, scares me. Um, but I have a very supportive partner who will, like, allow me to, will allow me to, uh, just, like, do my thing and, like, teach me and be really patient. Not all the time. Like, okay, side note. One time, I was learning how to, like, ride up hills. Like, there's a park out here called Griffith or Griffin. I can never remember. Anyway, there's lots of hills, and like one time Bryce just like freaking like went up this hill so fast and like I, I was just like trailing behind him, yelling at him as I do when I start getting frustrated and like scared, um, and mad. So but that's really the only time. I mean, honest to God, he's like very supportive. Um, we'll have a story about how the, how he tried to teach me how to clip in, but I am still not successful at that. I don't know if I ever will be. I don't think it's on my goal list. So riding a bike is on my list because we have some really good, um, paths, bike paths I guess is what they're called in Santa Clarita, so I feel safe, like I'm not gonna h- get hit by a car, um, which is always great as I am like safety 101. I'm like a grandma driver too. I know. If you've ever been, ever been in the car with me, like I'm sorry. I'm not a crazy lady driver. Anyway, um, The Gentle Barn. Okay. So in Santa Clarita where I live or close to it, there is an animal rescue, and, um, they take care of these like barnyard animals, and I really wanna go. It's been on my list for a long time. I have not done it. I'm sure this could be like for people who don't have like an animal rescue to go to. Find... Go to the zoo. I actually haven't been to the LA Zoo, so I'm gonna add that to the list now. Um- An outdoor movie. I feel like these are getting more popular all over the place, but in LA there are a couple different... You can go to the Hollywood Cemetery and go to a movie. They have some on the rooftop. They have some at, um, oh, what do you call it? They have some in different parks all over the city. So we're gonna find a movie this summer, or a movie, well, maybe a couple movies, I don't know. It might get wild, and we're gonna go, um, we're gonna go to the park and watch a movie. I love that. Okay, a Dodger game. I... Look, when I moved here, I was not into sports, and I don't know how it happens, but when you move here and you've been here for a while, it's just like all of a sudden you are actually a Dodger fan and you actually know a shit-ton more about baseball than you ever thought you would know in your life. So I love a good sporting event. And actually, I would go to... Actually, I would go to literally any sporting event that someone invited me to, because I think sporting events are just, like, so fun. Like, the energy is just really great. I think everybody is just there, like, having a good time, getting out of their house, forgetting about whatever's stressing them out for a minute. We're all having a beer. Um, can you tell, like, I just love a summer beer? Um, okay. What is this? Racing game. Racing game. There's racing game. What is that? Oh, okay. There... So Bryce is really into IndyCar, and there is this thing where you can go, like, simulate being a race car driver. Um, I don't know as much about this, but it's on the list 'cause, like, that's something that he wants to do, and so, like, I'm down to do that. I'm not super good with virtual shit 'cause I get dizzy and kinda feel like I'm gonna barf, but I'm down to try this because he wants to try it and he's interested in it. I'm... I'll probably be fine, and I'll probably have a really good time. Um, one thing about me, though, is, like, when I try something new, I like- I know this about myself, but like I can get a little bit into a piss-poor att- like have a little bit of a piss-poor attitude if I'm not good at it right away. I know. Ugh. Um, so I'm gonna really try to like... I like sometimes, I don't know if anybody else is like this, but I like sometimes have to really pump myself up and be like, "Merritt, don't be a bitch just because you're not good at this. Like, why don't you just calm down? It's not that serious. Um, just like h- try to have a good time." Um, bowling. I wanna do bowling really badly. I am horrible. I mean, I am literally terrible. You have to put up the guardrails for me because I'm, I'm just no good. And, and I've had several people like try to... You know how people who are like good at bowling will stand behind you and be like, "No, just like don't bend your wrist and it's fine." It's like, "No, man, I, I'm, I'm bad." Like, and I'm okay with that. I'm not, I'm not trying to be good. Um And yeah, I can't... I... Being competitive in bowling is, like, a joke. Like, I could never even be competitive in bowling. So that is another one. Okay. What is... What else is on here that I missed? Hiking. Just getting outside for a little stroll, and I'm gonna tell you this. I just like... I- unless I'm intentionally, like, on a trip where I'm going on a hike and, like, I'm going on a hike on purpose for... to see something or, like, I don't know. Like, we went to Bryce Canyon. Was it Bryce Canyon? No. Someplace in Utah with some friends several years ago. Um, and we hiked the whole trip, and, like, I was mentally prepared for that. I just mean, like, a weekend hike where it's, like, a couple, a couple hours long. Sometimes Bryce will do this thing where he'll, like, pick a trail, and then it'll be like, I, I'm unaware of it, but it's gonna be six hours long, and then I'm actually in a bad mood because that's the entire weekend, and I hadn't planned. I think, like, had I mentally prepared for six hours, I might have been like, "Okay." But that's not... I don't wanna do it the whole day. Do you see what I mean? Like, I... The perfect day is, like, get up, have breakfast, have coffee, but, like, get out the door before noon, be home by 2:00. Be home by 2:00, shower, take a little nap-nap, and then have something, like, really, like, summer dinner. Like, I don't know, like a salad, grilled vegetables, something really nice. Anyway, that is our list so far. You can follow along on the Gram. I'm sure I'll document things. Um, but I invite you to make a list because I think a lot of us are just, like, I don't know. I... Like, why sh- aren't we all making lists of, like, fun experiences to have? I think it's silly not to do that. I think... The other thing is I think we forget what is fun. Um, like, literally the picnic. Picnics are fun. Just getting outside is fun. Going to play putt-putt and being really horrible at it or bowling and being really terrible at it is just actually so much fun. So I dare you this week to put together your summer fun list. Maybe I'll call this episode Summer Lovin'. Um, one other thing that Bryce and I did for a while there is we picked out a black-and-white movie I think for a couple of months straight, like every week we would watch like a different black and white movie, so like just watch a really old movie. Um, and that was great, too. Just like something out of the norm to look forward to, um, and do with your partner or your friends or whatever, just to like break up the things, you know? Like, life is already so hectic and so busy and so all the fucking things. Like, highly encourage a fun list. It's gonna be a great summer, you guys. I can feel it in my bones. Um, and yeah. Let me be your p- permission slip to like make a list of fun... And, okay, let me say this, too. If you ha- are, have a partner who's like, "I don't wanna do those things," like drag them out. Drag them out because then they will do the thing and they'll, they'll be like, "Oh, okay, you were right. It was a good time. I did have a good time." So, um, yeah. I, I invite you on this summer fun list with us. That's all I got. All right. That is it. Have a good week, and I will see you next week. Thank you for joining me on today's episode. If something resonated with you, then we are probably best friends. And friends rate, review, and share episodes. If you wanna stay connected, you can find me on Instagram at Mary Kate McDonald. That's Mary C-A-T-E McDonald. If you want more information on coaching or wanna keep connected in my weekly newsletter, you can find that in the show notes. Thanks again for joining me on today's episode. I'm looking forward to catching you in the next one. And just a reminder that it's not that serious, even when it is