In the late 1950s, Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, California, created Just Because Day. It began as a family holiday and grew into an annual celebration across the United States.

 

In 2021, the Jennifer Garner family-friendly film Yes Day gave the kids a chance to do whatever they wanted for 24 hours. The parents had to say YES. Just because…

 

Perhaps you’ve had your eye on a new top. Or fishing lure. Maybe you’ve told yourself you’ll take a few hours to dive into that book still sitting on your nightstand. Or sing karaoke at a local pub. 

 

Today is the day to do it! 

 

#JustBecauseDay is the time to do something you want to do, something your grown-up brain keeps nixing or saving for a special occasion. 

 

I frequently have Just Because days now, realizing that indulging in life’s simple little pleasures are vital to my mental health. But that wasn’t always the case. 

 

Once, in the mid-90’s with four stairstep children at home, I had a rare and very banal Just Because Day. I hired a babysitter and rented a hotel room for the day. I used the bathroom without someone knocking on the door, took a bath without having to referee a fight mid-soak, and took a 4-hour nap. It was magical. 

 

It was my personal, and until now, secret Just Because day….

 

Go enjoy the day! Do something fun…just because!

 

Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.