A few years ago, I stopped reading fiction. Because it wasn't "productive." At first it was pushed back for other "more important" things (this was around the time I started college and was flooded with engineering homework). But over time I started seeing fiction-reading as something not-worth-doing. Only this past year have I realized how sad this is - how sad it's making me - because growing up some of my favorite times were times spent with books. (ahem #potterhead) This hyper-pragmatic mentality had crept into so many other areas of my life. I started telling myself that everything I do needed to be FOR something. Purposeful. Productive. It's like I'd forgotten to have fun. To play: to do something simply for the sake of it being enjoyable. It's weird that I'm actively working to allow fun in my life. It seems like something that should come naturally. But I think somewhere along the way I forgot that play IS important. Just as important as work. I'm currently on the third book of the Expanse series and so happy to be making time for my old love of reading. For no reason other than it makes my heart happy. THAT is its "usefulness." Hope you're having a lovely Sunday. Give yourself permission to do something just for the joy of it. ✨ #workhardplayharder #designedlife #designyourmind #playiswork #happinessproject #engineerproblems #mindfulness #bookworm #expanse #kindle (at Columbia , South Carolina)