In today’s fast-paced, always-connected world, we’re constantly marketed experiences, products, and activities that promise to be fun and enjoyable. However, not all of these experiences are truly enriching or meaningful, or will bring us the benefits of Play. Catherine Price introduces the concept of “True Fun” versus “Fake Fun,” and while her focus is on fun, this distinction aligns perfectly with the idea of play—and more specifically, Plex. Fake fun might feel exciting in the moment, but ultimately leaves us feeling like we’ve wasted valuable time. “I can’t believe I just wasted all that time.” It’s the junk food of play: quick, accessible, and easy, but ultimately unsatisfying and empty. Let’s explore how to recognize these shallow distractions and discover ways to make the most of our time for true play and expansion.
What is Fake Fun?
Fake fun can be described as activities that might seem enjoyable in the moment but ultimately leave us feeling drained, unfulfilled, or regretful. It’s often the kind of “play” that offers a quick hit of pleasure or dopamine but doesn’t lead to deeper joy or personal growth. Take scrolling through social media as an example. You might start with a quick check of a friend’s post or an update on the news, only to find yourself spiraling into an endless feed of memes, ads, and shallow content. It feels like you’re engaging with something, but it doesn’t offer any real connection or enrichment. The same can happen with binge-watching TV shows. What starts as a way to relax can quickly turn into hours of mindless consumption, leaving you feeling exhausted or empty rather than recharged.
Beyond the obvious examples like social media scrolling or binge-watching, here are some other activities that could fall under the category of fake fun:
- Mindless web browsing: Jumping from one random article or YouTube video to another without any real purpose, leaving you feeling aimless rather than inspired or engaged.
- Excessive video gaming or games on the phone: While these games can be fun and immersive, when done excessively or mindlessly, they can become a form of fake fun, taking up time and energy without leaving you with a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment.
- Online shopping: It might feel exciting to browse for new things, but it often leads to buyer’s remorse or an empty feeling after you’ve spent time and energy on purchases that don’t truly bring lasting satisfaction.
- Doomscrolling: This involves consuming negative news or distressing headlines. It’s a quick distraction, but it doesn’t provide any meaningful engagement with the world or personal growth.
- Gossiping: Engaging in negative talk about others might feel like a quick social connection, but it doesn’t add real value to your life or relationships.
Sometimes, these fake fun activities can actually hit the spot —when used in moderation. There are moments when we just need to engage in a bit of mindless activity to unwind, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is understanding why you’re choosing that activity and setting a boundary for how much time you want to dedicate to it.
Similarly, some activities are often promoted as “fun”—like going out to eat or bowling with friends. While these may be valuable for socializing or you may truly enjoy trying new foods, they can sometimes fall under the category of fake fun, especially if they don’t resonate with you, and you know that even before you go. Maybe you’re just defaulting to those activities because they’re familiar or what “everybody does”. Perhaps meeting your friends somewhere more engaging or interesting would be more enriching for you. The point is, we sometimes default to familiar activities without considering what truly resonates. By tuning in to what will genuinely energize and expand us, we can move beyond the default list and choose experiences that align more deeply with our needs and desires. Don’t stress too much about where to go, just trying new things opens your curiosity and sense of adventure.
Why Fake Fun Feels Empty
Fake fun feels empty because it doesn’t push us to grow or engage in the present moment fully. While true play (or Plex) stretches us, challenges us, and opens up new possibilities, fake fun just fills the space without adding value. Over time, we might notice that we feel more drained and regretful after engaging in fake fun, rather than recharged and inspired.
Fake fun numbs, real fun renews.
How to Avoid the Trap of Fake Fun
If you find yourself with free time and are tempted by one of these fake fun activities, it’s important to pause and ask yourself if you’re truly nourishing your spirit, mind, or body with this choice. Instead of defaulting to mindless distractions, try to redirect yourself toward something more intentional and fulfilling.
A great way to avoid falling into the trap of fake fun is to create a master list of activities that truly engage you and help you expand your experience. These are the activities that not only help you relax but also leave you feeling energized and more connected. It may be worthwhile to pre-plan these and have them on hand so you don’t have to look for them in the moment (and then be tempted to fall down the rabbit hole on your phone, or get distracted with something else). Consider the following:
- Listening to music that resonates with you: Choose something that not only sounds good but also evokes emotion and presence. You might create a playlist of such music so it is easy to find when you have the free moment to engage.
- Dancing or moving your body: Physical movement—whether it’s a quick dance break, stretching, or yoga—can energize and uplift you.
- Engaging in puzzles or brain challenges: Something that exercises your mind in a playful, non-pressured way.
- Reading a good book: Get lost in a story or learn something new, something that sparks your curiosity and deepens your sense of connection.
- Call a friend or family member: Deepen your relationships by choosing meaningful connections, and creating opportunities for shared experiences and emotional fulfillment.
- Creative hobbies: Drawing, knitting, writing, or crafting can offer deep satisfaction and stretch your creativity.
Tune into yourself so you know what will be energizing for you. Don’t just go with the typical list. Having this list at the ready can help you choose intentional activities that are more likely to leave you feeling engaged and rejuvenated. These activities bring true play into your life, expanding your experience and giving you a sense of fulfillment.
Fake fun is everywhere, and it’s easy to get sucked into activities that seem to offer enjoyment but ultimately leave us feeling empty. By recognizing what constitutes fake fun and making a conscious decision to engage in more meaningful, enriching activities, we can avoid falling into these distractions. True play—what I call Plex—is all about engaging fully with the present moment, challenging ourselves, and expanding our experience. The next time you find yourself with some time to spare, instead of falling into the trap of fake fun, reach for something that will truly nourish and expand your world.
