You spend more of your waking hours at work than anywhere else. So if you’re not having at least some fun during the day, that’s a lot of time spent taking things seriously. Too seriously.

When we talk about fun at work, we’re not suggesting office games or forcing extroversion. Fun can be subtle. It’s about injecting lightness into the everyday to keep energy high, build connection, and make people smile—even on the busiest days.

A light-hearted culture doesn’t mean a lack of professionalism. In fact, the teams I’ve seen thrive the most are the ones who manage to keep things efficient and enjoyable. Fun builds morale. Morale drives performance. It’s all connected.

Here are a few simple, professional ways I like to keep things light day to day:

✨ Use a quirky or aesthetic Teams background Try a pastel office, a cartoon forest, or even a retro living room. It often sparks a quick comment or laugh before the meeting kicks off and creates space for connection, especially with people you don’t talk to every day.

💬 Answer “How are you?” with something more interesting Instead of “good” or “busy,” try “fabulous,” “living the dream,” or “powered by caffeine and ambition.” It’s a small change that makes the conversation more human and more fun.

🎉 Celebrate the small stuff A well-timed GIF to say “Nice job!” or a shoutout in a team chat goes a long way. You don’t need a formal award system to make people feel appreciated.

🐒 Use playful GIFs in chat When someone says hello, reply with a “How can I be of service?” butler GIF or a cute monkey waving. It keeps conversations light and shows a bit of personality.

😄 Mix up your emoji reacts Someone taking a day off? React with a bowl of soup, palm trees, or flowers. Big win? Give them a trophy, rocket, or fist bump instead of the usual thumbs up. It’s a small detail that adds colour and thoughtfulness to your presence online.

🎵 Bring the vibe into working sessions In co-design or working bees, try themed playlists or fun warm-up questions like “If your week was a movie title, what would it be?” The energy you set at the start often shapes how people contribute.

🍩 Create a light Friday ritual This could be a quick team quiz, a rotating meme of the week, or just sharing weekend plans in a chat thread. Rituals give people something to look forward to and help them end the week with a smile.

Fun doesn’t have to be loud or constant. But it does need to be intentional. These small touches shift the culture, spark connection, and help people feel more human at work—which makes everything else a little easier.

What’s your favourite way to keep things light at work? I’d love to hear it.