Why Do “No Fun February”?

The time has come again! This is my second year of doing No Fun February and honestly I need it bad. I am just now finishing up all the holiday candy in my house and my poor wallet needs a break. Here is my original post for “No Fun February” but I refuse to make posts like this without acknowledging that this name for this came from when my friend, Jesse, did “No Fun November” a few years ago. I’ve made a few changes to last years NFF rules and guidelines which you can find below. But this blog post is also about why you should even give up your indulges anyway and participate in No Fun February.

And if you’ve caught on to how early I’m posting about NFF, that’s because I’m traveling for most of January and wanted to plant the idea in your head so you can decide if you want to do NFF with me!

So before we go into the benefits of No Fun February, I have revamped last year’s model to be a little less about what you can’t do and more about what you should do. The terms are a little more loose so everyone can customize it to themselves.

So those are the basic guidelines. I like to think of NFF as ‘how I would live my life if I didn’t give into my impulses and was a more responsible person with my life actually together’. So despite the title of having “no fun” this month, NFF can be extremely rewarding.

• Save money: This is a no brainer, but by committing to NFF, you will most definitely save money because you won’t be going out to eat, you won’t be online shopping and you won’t be making huge purchases. While you will still have to pay the bills, groceries and pay for gas, I think this is a good opportunity to build up your savings.
• Give your body a detox: Still have those New Year’s resolutions about eating better? NFF is a second chance for you to detox and eat those healthy foods you said you were going to. Not to mention, your body will feel amazing by the end of February.
• Gain focus: By ditching all of the little things that distract you or weigh you down, NFF will help you ditch the things that take away from your goals and health. Try to be more introspective and figure out why you eat how you eat and why you spend what you spend.
• Try new things: NFF is the time to try out new recipes you pinned on Pinterest, do a new work out class or read some of those books that have been hanging out on your bookshelf. NFF doesn’t have to be all restrictions! Think about some new things you want to try but never have before.
• Be more productive: If you’re not spending all your time on your phone or watching TV, you’ll probably have more time to clean out your closet or walk your dog or do any of the other things you usually procrastinate.
• It’s an excuse: This is an excuse that will help you with your willpower. Next time someone asks you to go out to eat or if you want a piece of cake, say you’re doing “No Fun Feb” and move on. I think announcing your goals also keeps you accountable.
• There is community behind it: I’ve already gotten a few of my friends to say they’ll do NFF with me, and I know that will help me stay on track. I’m also hoping that anyone reading this will join the ‘no fun’ party too.

Last time I did NFF, I was in college, so I imagine that was more challenging since I was totally on my own and going out with my friends 3 nights a week. Last year I did not get through the whole month without spending money or drinking alcohol (and you can read more about that here) but the point is I tried and I did see positive changes by March.

I think the biggest part of doing NFF is doing a detox of all the negative vibes and energy from your life as well. For everyone that is different. Maybe you’re deleting Snapchat or not going out anymore or maybe you’re journaling and praying more. It doesn’t have to be all physical, and who am I to tell you how you can emotionally or spiritually detox? Figure out what that is for yourself and run with it for NFF.

Still not set on doing No Fun February? I’ll be posting a few more posts about how to prepare, how to stay on track and a few cheats that can get you through the month. Not to mention, its the shortest month of the year…so why not give it a try?

If you’re all set to do this with me, comment below! I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for reading! xx