Life can sometimes feel like the most serious thing in the world. From one serious task to the next, trying to be a composed adult, capable and completely in control. But what if instead of going through life with a stern face, we had fun? What if we stopped taking life (and ourselves) so seriously? Let’s go through some reasons why it’s sometimes best to let go of the pressure to be serious.
The Pressure to Be Perfect
We live in a world that loves polished people, perfect posts, perfect plans and perfect attitudes. Mostly behind that perfection, most of us are just doing our best and hoping no one notices the stain on our shirt. Perfection is exhausting. Real life is wobbly, uneven, and unpredictable, which makes it wonderful. When we loosen our grip on trying to look “put together,” we make room for connection with other normal people.
Finding Self-Compassion Through Humour
There’s something freeing about being able to laugh at yourself. It’s not about putting yourself down; it’s about being kind.
When you spill coffee before 9 a.m., send an email to the wrong person, or accidentally call your boss “Mum,” those aren’t disasters – they’re proof that you’re gloriously human. Humour turns “I can’t believe I did that” into “I can’t wait to tell that story later.” It transforms embarrassment into empathy and mistakes into moments of lightness. There’s nothing better than being able to share those stories with others down the road.
Everyday Moments of Lightness
Happiness often hides in the silly little things, dancing badly in the kitchen or making up songs about your pet. These moments don’t change the world, but they do change how you feel in it. When you give yourself permission to be silly, you give yourself to laugh and enjoy being human.
The Freedom of Letting Go
We spend so much energy trying to control things in today’s day in age, how people think about us, the plans we make with friends. Sometimes it’s hard to let go.
What are some ways of letting go? Here are a couple:
- Say yes to the spontaneous plan – no matter how ridiculous!
- Laugh when something goes sideways.
- Trust that even when things don’t go perfectly, they can still be perfectly okay.
- Turn some music on and have a boogie (bonus points for some cool disco lights.
- Maybe try a new hobby? Doesn’t matter how well it goes
The truth is, the world doesn’t end when you aren’t serious. Sometimes it just gives you a better story to tell later.
Conclusion
Maybe the secret to happiness isn’t having it all together, it’s being able to laugh when it all falls apart.
“Take life seriously, but never yourself.” — Rudyard Kipling