# The Fun Scale[^1] Type 1 Fun is enjoyable while it's happening. Type 2 Fun is miserable while it's happening, but fun in retrospect. Type 3 Fun is not fun at all, not even in retrospect. # Type 2 Fun Type 2 Fun is only fun after it's over. It's similar to the notion that it's "more fun to have written than to write."[^2] You probably have a number of trips—especially if you enjoy outdoor recreation—where you experienced Type 2 Fun. A slogging hike up those switchbacks, or that freezing night of camping, or even just that trip where you missed your flight connection and was stuck in the airport all night, forced to eat dinner from a vending machine. These trips weren't much fun at the time, but you still fondly remember them. Most trip stories worth telling are about Type 2 Fun. If you face a challenge during your trip, then you're probably going to have some Type 2 Fun. <!-- ## Why Type 2 Fun exists [Need to include the psychology studies I found on this here] - Conquering a difficult endeavor (A bragging opportunity) - Persevering through challenges ("Character-building") - Being grateful for what came next - "In-trip happiness lull" --> [^1]: The first online reference to the Fun Scale was by [Kelly Cordes back in 2009](https://kellycordes.com/2009/11/02/the-fun-scale/), though she credits hearing it from Peter Haeussler in 2001. The concept was further popularized in an [REI blog post](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale). [^2]: Dorothy Parker is often credited with the quote: *"I hate writing. I love having written."* And really, that's at the heart of the notion of Type 2 fun. It's more fun that you did it than while you were doing it.