I often get asked some version of this question:

Can I have fun while I’m healing?

And the answer is absolutely yes.

But I think the way I understand that answer has changed over the years.

Healing can take so much energy.

Mentally.
Physically.
Emotionally.
Spiritually.
Relationally.

Sometimes our body is working really hard just to get through what is happening.

And I have not found it helpful if the answer is to tell myself, “Come on. Go have fun. Think positively. Enjoy your life”.

Sometimes our body doesn’t have capacity for that.

But I also don’t think healing means we have to wait until everything is better before we get to experience joy, play, laughter, connection, adventure, or fun again.

I’ve been continuing to learn this in a very real way lately as my back continues to heal.

Recently, I went paddle boarding with some friends.

I still can’t paddle yet, so one of my friends was so kind and offered to tow me behind her paddle board.

And as we went through some rapids…..

It basically turned into bumper boats.

Bumping into each other, turning backwards, and each of us laughing. a. lot.

It was so much fun.

And there were parts that were so serene and calm and that was fun too.

And there was something really beautiful about noticing everything that was true in my body at the same time.

My back is still physically healing.

There are still layers of trauma connected to this injury that I am continuing to turn toward and work through.

There are still things my body can’t do right now.

And I was having fun.

Both were true.

I didn’t have to pretend my body wasn’t hurting.

I didn’t have to push myself past what it was ready for.

I didn’t have to paddle because everyone else was paddling.

We adapted.

My friend towed me.

My body got to participate in the way it was able to participate.

And somewhere inside all of that limitation was laughter.

Play.

Movement.

Water.

Friends.

Adventure.

Fun.

I think this is one of the beautiful things about learning to live in our body while we heal.

We can start noticing that our experience doesn’t have to be only one thing.

I can feel pain and feel the sun on my skin.

I can feel tired and laugh.

I can feel grief and experience connection.

I can be physically healing and have an adventure.

I can be turning toward another layer of trauma and genuinely enjoy something happening right now.

Our senses can help us notice this.

What can I see?

What can I hear?

What can I feel against my skin?

What movement feels available to me?

What does my body notice when I laugh?

What happens inside me when something feels playful?

Not because we are trying to force ourselves into joy.

But because sometimes there is more happening inside our body than the pain, exhaustion, fear, or trauma response that has our attention.

Sometimes there is a little bit of curiosity there too.

Or warmth.

Or connection.

Or silliness.

Or awe.

Or that tiny feeling of I want more of this.

And we can let both be true.

So maybe the question isn’t only:

Can I have fun while I’m healing?

Maybe it’s also:

What kind of fun does my body have capacity for today?

Not the fun I think I should be having.

Not what used to be fun before everything changed.

Not what everyone around me is doing.

What feels accessible to my body today?

Maybe it is paddleboarding while someone else does the paddling.

Maybe it is sitting outside.

Maybe it is music.

Maybe it is laughing with someone you love.

Maybe it is playing with your kids.

Maybe it is noticing something beautiful and letting yourself enjoy it for ten seconds.

Healing doesn’t require us to stop living until we are healed.

Sometimes learning to live in our body also means letting our body rediscover what feels playful, alive, connected, adventurous, and fun.

And I think our younger parts especially need to know:

We are allowed to heal and have fun along the way.

Remember, ❤️

You Matter. Your Healing Matters. You Are Worth It!

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P.S. I would love to hear how you are both having fun and continuing to heal. If it feels helpful to your healing, hit reply and let me know. Or share with someone else that you are connected to.