A fun new buzzword has recently come to my attention … or maybe it’s not so new. All I know is it has taken over my algorithm and frankly, I’m enjoying it.
Quick definition → The suffix ‘-maxxing’ means to maximize a specific aspect of your life. You may have also come across ‘beauty-maxxing’, ‘career-maxxing’, and ‘summer-maxxing’. There’s really no end to the maxxing one can do apparently.
While I didn’t coin the term, fun-maxxing is one I subscribe to. They say, all things in moderation … but you can never have too much fun. In this one life we get to live, it’s easy to forget that the possibilities are literally endless. Sure, we may be limited by circumstance or resources, however, with a little intention and creativity, life can always be more enjoyable. Even through the ups and downs you’ll inevitably face, there’s always a way to add joy and playfulness to your life.
As the saying goes, flirt with life and it’ll flirt right back.
Like any year in my twenties, 2026 has come with its challenges. And yet, it’s truly been one of the greatest years of my life so far. To think it’s only July?? I’ve taken risks, said YES to everything (within reason), made incredible memories with people I love, unlocked new connections, and discovered parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. That to me isn’t just fun-maxxing, it’s life-maxxing.
It has nothing to do with living extravagantly and more to do with looking inward and figuring out what truly makes your heart burst. “What if I’m not sure?” some of you might ask. Well, you go out into the world and find out.
When I go through periods of uncertainty and stagnation, I feel all the feels then find a way out. Fill your cup with experiences that make life feel richer, live life to the fullest on your own terms, and say no to everything else. Life is too short to live your days without passion and excitement. And I’ll tell you this – the world never stops moving, so why should you?
With that, I’d like to share a few of the many ways I have ‘life-maxxed’ these past few months.
1) Investing in my relationships
This felt like the perfect place to start. And I’ll keep it short otherwise I could write a novel dedicated to this single point. The highlight of my year thus far hasn’t been an experience, a party, or a big trip. It’s the people I get to share those things with. The beautiful souls in my life who continue to fill my cup just by existing. I’m a firm believer that the beauty of life is the company we keep along the way. Living a full life can’t be achieved without investing in the relationships that are near and dear to you. Old and new. I’m so grateful for my loved ones and the connections I continue to make. My life would be meaningless without them!
2) Spending time outdoors
Life also wouldn’t be as rich without spending time outdoors. Basking in the sun. Hiking. Laying in the grass. Feeling the breeze on your face and smelling all the aromas in the air. Summer is short after all, so any chance I get to go outside is time well spent.
Take the extra long walk, have a picnic with friends, and sit on the patio instead of inside. Join a sports team, go on a road trip, have a beach day, or tan by the pool. Whatever it is, as long as you’re outside.
3) Signing up for a library card
I made a decision recently to stop purchasing books and get a new library card. Unless I absolutely love a book or series, I will now opt for saving money and storage space. There’s actually something nostalgic and romantic about going to your local library, sifting through all the shelves of novels while inhaling the smell each page, and chatting with the librarian as you sign out your new favourite book..
My most recent read is This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune and I’m loving it so far. Coastal, cheeky, and romantic.
4) Saying YES!
Say YES! Yes to all the things. The party invite, happy hour drinks, the spontaneous plans with friends, the new job, the hot date, the networking event, the chance to start over. Of course, use your discernment to decipher what’s worth your time and energy. However, saying yes almost always rewards you. And if the outcome is a bust, take the lesson and move on!
5) Saying NO!
On the flip side, say NO! No to anything that goes against the life you’re building for yourself. No to anything that wrecks your nervous system or leaves you feeling uninspired. Remember, your time and energy is precious. When something no longer serves you, even if the decision is difficult to make, say no for your future self. Whether it’s a temporary or permanent goodbye, it’ll all make sense one day.
6) Trying new hobbies and staying active
Daily walks, the gym, tennis lessons, and volunteering at tournaments are few of the many ways I’ve enjoyed moving my body this summer! Staying active is not only important for your health but it is arguably one of the biggest confidence boosts.
7) Side questing
Nothing says fun-maxxing like going on a little side quest. It’s easy to fall into a routine and stick to what you know, but I challenge you to shake things up once in a while. This year I made a promise to myself that I’d regularly challenge myself to try new things.
Exhibit A: Get a Tattoo
I wouldn’t exactly call this a side quest as I had planned on getting one for a while. It was however, an impromptu visit to the tattoo shop. Inspired by Sade and my love for Spanish, I got siempre hay esperanza tattooed which translates to ‘there’s always hope’.
Exhibit B: Fire Station Tours
On the way home from a night out dancing, my friend and I found ourselves at a fire station. We recalled hearing that fire stations offer free tours to those brave enough to ask! We thought: we’re here, why not? It was the most random adventure, but we got to sit in the driver’s seat of a firetruck and it gave us a funny story to tell our friends. Not your typical Thursday night, huh?
Exhibit C: Road Trip Detours
I’ve been on a Facebook Marketplace kick lately, and I recently scored a beautiful pair of tennis rackets. The only thing was the seller lived in Innisfil … a few hours away from me. Sure it might’ve been a bit of a drive, but I had the time and I’d never been to Innisfil before.
On my way to the seller’s home, I noticed a bunch of horses on a farm. I took a mental note and made sure to stop there on the way home. I parked my car on the side of the road and stood there in awe as the horses galloped and ate hay. It was one of those moments where time stopped and everything felt still.
8) Attending concerts, festivals and events
It’s not summer without a good festival, concert, and event. Don’t be afraid to go to these events alone either! In fact, some of the best times I’ve had were when I showed up solo. People will naturally gravitate towards you, but don’t be afraid to approach first too!
There are still many festivities ahead such as Ossington Fest on July 25! Always keep an eye out on social media and Eventbrite for upcoming events and say yes to any Partiful invitations that pop up! A few pages I love following on Instagram include: @torontogirlsocial (shoutout to Chloe!), @todotoronto, and @torontotwinss.
9) Basking in sports season
Summer 2026 has been one for the books, and the FIFA World Cup played a huge role in keeping the energy high across the city. Toronto hosted six matches this summer and brought in fans from all over the world. It seemed like for a few weeks, we all became citizens of the world – cheering on countries we had no immediate ties to. That’s the beauty of sports, they bring people together. It was also special to watch the African countries and how well they played – they gave the bigger teams a run for their money. This World Cup put many underdogs on the map and I’m so proud of all of them.
And just like that … we are a few days away from the final match. Wasn’t the opening ceremony just yesterday? Ahead of Sunday (go Spain!), keep an eye out on social media for pop-ups, happy hours, and last minute watch parties. Follow restaurants, bars, hotels and popular venues as many regularly share ongoing events and specials on their socials.
I’d be remiss if I also didn’t mention other sport-related goings on around the city, so, see below. A few that I have on my radar include:
- Toronto Blue Jays
- The National Bank Open
- Toronto FC
- Toronto Tempo
- Northern Super League (featuring AFC Toronto)
10) Intentional rest days
Everything I’ve mentioned may make for a great summer and a great life, however, you can’t do any of it if you’re running on empty. It’s just as important to intentionally carve out time to decompress, recharge, unplug, rot, whichever verb you’d like to go with. Potayto potahto.
It’s difficult to find balance when you have back-to-back commitments, but try to do one thing for yourself each day whether that’s an extra hour of sleep at night, a healthy meal, keeping hydrated, or an hour less of screen time than you’re used to.
If you’ve made it this far, take a bow – you’ve earned it (lol!). I hope you enjoyed reading and I’ll see you on the next adventure.
Signing off!
Xoxo,
Kundisai Linda
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