A few days ago, my friends and I watched the original Step Up movie. It was originally meant to be watched for inspiration, but we quickly found ourselves laughing at the dubious plot lines and dialogues the movie offered. It is hardly a film masterpiece, but it was comedy gold. That night was one of the best nights I’ve had this year.

I’ve typically taken things very seriously. Some examples include:

• Reading: You must read the classics. The bestsellers. The stuff famous people are reading.
• Running: You must follow a training plan. You need a sports watch. The newest running shoes.
• Study: You must maximise your productivity. No distractions. All lectures double speed.

But we can take a lot away from simply enjoying the process of our endeavours. Many of the best books I’ve read I had never heard of before. Many of my most memorable runs were ones where I was just enjoying the scenery instead of fussing about my time. Many of my favourite study sessions were when I was chatting with a friend.

Being serious has its time and place. But most of the time, it’s really fun to relax a little.