The Kind of Fun That Actually Changes You

I spent my weekend at a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina with friends, food, a campfire, and a few cold ones.

It was fun. The type of fun where you get immersed and aren't looking for an end or an exit, and the next thing you know, it's 2 a.m.

This type of experience is called Type I Fun.

It's an immediate, enjoyable type of fun that feels good while it's happening. This straightforward type of fun is often what people seek for instant gratification and pleasure.

However, fun doesn't always come in this form.

Type II Fun is a bit more complex. It often involves challenges or difficulties that test your limits.

You might not be savoring the moment, but once you've accomplished it and the dopamine fills your brain, the fun starts to set in. You look back and think, "Wow, that was great!"

Our group endured a challenging hike, and everyone was relieved to reach the end. But on the van ride back home, everyone was thrilled about the "fun" we had that day.

Finally, Type III Fun isn't fun at the moment or even afterward. You hope to never do that thing again. However, these things leave a mark on your life that comes up in stories and reflections about how terrible it was.

I remember a long bike ride with a friend where everything went wrong. I was under-fueled, my quads cramped badly, and my bike had a problem, so my buddies and I hiked out 6 miles in the dark.

It was a mess, it was not fun, and I hope I never do that again. But I'm thankful for the experience, and it's a lot of fun to talk about the experience.

I'm not sure about the meaning of life, but I think that accumulating experiences is a big part of it. The best training cycles are often Type II fun.  The worst race days might even feel like Type III.  But both shape who we become.

Even if they aren't enjoyable at the moment, they often add fun to your life somewhere on the road.