Posted 09 Feb 2026
Four Ways To Make Work Fun Again In 2026
A comment on Linked In at the end of 2025 – “if you still have a job at the end of 2025, *hug it*”
The sentiment behind this comment reveals the dynamic in career narratives at the moment – anxiety about rising unemployment, AI replacing our roles. However, underneath the anxiety, we seem to have developed the idea that work is inherently not good for us, that employers are all inherently exploitative and employees are inherently exploited victims.
This is understandable when the news is filled with stories of international monopolies holding turnovers larger than the GDP of nation states, acting with impunity. We don’t want to spend our careers feathering the nests of those who already have too much so we’re quiet quitting, prioritising self-care and not showing up. We’re pleased with ourselves for redressing the balance with a withdrawal of our labor and loving the duvet days and the box set binges. And for sure, there is a time and a place for rest in these turbulent times. But, loving your job has become somewhat uncool and that isn’t going to improve our mental health. Is it old-fashioned to enjoy work?
According to the UK’s Office of National Statistics, 60% of UK workers are employed in Small to Medium Enterprises and 18% in the public sector. Small businesses are part our community, our neighbours and the public sector is our civil infrastructure, the very fabric of society. Working to rule in these organisations isn’t exactly “sticking it to the man”.
In the neurodiversity and disability communities our advocacy has been focused on improving employment rates for decades. We’d love for more us to have jobs, to be progressing, to reach our potential. Research shows that work participation is critical for social identity and inclusion, and that good work predicts good health. Of course, not everyone has good work and not everyone has choice. But for those that do, exercise that choice and make change. Be part of improving your workplace. By passively stepping back, are we in fact sticking it to ourselves and self-sabotaging?
Here’s four ways you can reignite your passion for your job and give it the hug it needs.
One: Connect With Colleagues
Who can remember working in a terrible job but with great people? Most of us had an experience of this, perhaps in a hospitality role or a tough corporate environment with out of touch bosses, where the camaraderie compensated for the chaos. Research shows that work friendships reduce loneliness through participation in employee resource groups and shared activities, but also just being in person. Reflect on your connection points with colleagues, is there room for improvement? Remote work can be a barrier but it is not insurmountable. Perhaps organise a chat for people who share a common interest such as fitness, a book club. Taking time to get to know your colleagues makes the formal communication easier and you might even enjoy the exchanges.
Two: Find Purpose In Your Work
We don’t have to choose between two extremes. Work and life are not opposites. Work is part of life. We spend a lot of our waking hours at work. Work resources us to enjoy the rest of life. Work can be an important part of our social identity. Make a list all the ways your work facilitates the life you have and your sense of purpose. Give yourself permission to enjoy your work and feel proud of your contribution. It doesn’t have to be life changing or saving the world, the satisfaction of daily tasks done well, the interactions with single customers or clients whose needs are met – this can be enough.
And, if you are drawing a blank, it might be time to move on. You might not need a whole new job or a career switch, sometimes even a sideways secondment to a new team can provide the relief we need. Think about your strengths, the activities that come easily to you, which you enjoy. It could be writing, problem solving, working with numbers, design or logistics. Have you built your career around these skills and if not, here’s your pathway to a more sustainable, fun time at work.
Three: Rest In Order To Do Your Best Work
Some people feel that they can’t rest until they have ‘earned’ a break. If this is you, flip the narrative and think about how much rest you need to prepare for your best work. Again, work and rest are not mutually exclusive. Some people find creating presentations relaxing, others really enjoy the reflective practice of a project wash up. These are restful activities within their working schedule, but are there enough of them?
Check out your calendar for the whole year. Can you book in time to reflect and prepare now? Can you use your paid leave judiciously to ensure you are well rested before a busy conference season, for example? Does your family have any important events, such as children’s exam periods, that will need you to have cleared any backlogs to focus?
Work feels intrusive when there’s a rush of demand that we weren’t expecting at a time we don’t have resources to spare. This is inevitable sometimes, but we can plan around most of it. If you know the autumn is always busy, block your diary now for the rest you will need, and the administrative time to prepare over the summer.
Four: Set Goals. Progress Is Satisfying.
Many people hated school and love work. In the neurodiversity community our years suffering overly bureaucratic, rigid, punitive educational dogma give way to creative freedom, to focus on what we find interesting, with people who are more like us. Some of us rediscover our ability to learn when on the job. This can be liberating, deeply satisfying and career inspiring. Wherever you are in your career, there is space for progress. Set yourself some career goals for 2026 – perhaps some new skills to learn, projects to complete, resolve an annoying problem in process, storage, communication. Those of us with a high achievement orientation just love getting things done, improved, levelling up.
Dare I say that this can be “fun”?