Type 1 fun is fun while it’s happening and still fun to remember later. Type 2 fun is not fun in the moment , but it feels rewarding, satisfying, or even fun afterward.

Quick examples

  • Type 1 fun: a beach day, a funny night out, eating dessert.
  • Type 2 fun: a hard hike, a marathon, a long road trip that was miserable at the time but great in hindsight.

Easy way to think about it

  • Type 1 = enjoyable now.
  • Type 2 = enjoyable later.

A lot of people use “type 2 fun” to describe experiences that test you a bit but leave you with a strong sense of accomplishment afterward.