Laughter is a funny thing (pardon the pun).
It can’t help but be infectious. You only need to look at those laughter groups — you know the ones — standing in a circle in a park somewhere, fake-laughing until it somehow becomes real. I always think, “What a bunch of idiots,” right before I burst out laughing myself. It’s impossible not to. Laughter gets you. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it, like a sneeze you can’t hold in.
When was the last time you had a good belly laugh?
I’m talking about the real deal — the kind where the tears run down your face, you snort like a farm animal, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of wee escapes. (Or maybe it’s a full-on flood — no judgment. Thank goodness for Modibodis, those fabulous wee-catching undies that save the day — and your dignity.)
And honestly, it’s been pretty serious around here lately.
When I look back at the posts I’ve written, there’s a definite lean toward deep reflections, soul searching, burnout, and big life stuff.
Important, yes.
But today, I want to sprinkle a little more lightness into the mix — because laughter is one of those rare medicines that works instantly. You don’t have to queue at a pharmacy, you don’t need a referral, and the only side effect might be slightly sore cheeks (the face kind…and maybe the other kind if you really get going).
How do we invite more laughter into our lives?
Here are a few simple ideas:
1. Start With the Silly Stuff
Watch a ridiculous movie. Revisit old bloopers. Let your dog chase its own tail. Give yourself permission to be silly without needing it to “mean” something deep.
2. Hang Out With the Right People
You know the ones — the people who can make you laugh until you can’t breathe even when you swore you were in a bad mood. Prioritise them.
3. Laugh at Yourself
Seriously. Life hands us so many awkward, ridiculous moments — it’s either laugh or cry. Choose laugh. (It’s way cheaper than therapy and better for your mascara.)
4. Practice ‘Fake’ Laughing
Yes, you’ll feel like an idiot. That’s the point. Start fake laughing, and before long you’re genuinely giggling at how ridiculous you sound. It’s practically a magic trick.
5. Collect Your Favorites
Have a go-to list: funny shows, memes, inside jokes, old text threads. Laughter should be easy to reach for, like your favorite snack.
And speaking of laughing at ourselves…
Trust me, I’ve had plenty of opportunities.
Take the time I accidentally tried to date the pizza delivery guy.
I was waiting at home for a guy to pick me up for the movies — someone I’d only just met a week earlier. My brother and his mates were hanging around, planning to play the role of “protective father” the second my date showed up.
When a car pulled up out front, I panicked. I wanted to get out of there fast before they could start grilling him like an episode of Law and Order: Dating Victims Unit.
I dashed out, ran to the car, and yanked on the handle — but it was locked.
The poor pizza delivery guy looked absolutely terrified, thinking he was about to be robbed by a wild-eyed woman in a denim jacket.
Meanwhile, my sister was standing at the window, absolutely losing it — tears running down her face, doubled over, laughing so hard she couldn’t breathe.
Honestly, the date was doomed from the start.
We ended up seeing Fatal Attraction. Say no more.
(Nothing like watching a psychological thriller about obsessive fatal love to really set the tone for a budding romance.)
Moments like that? You have to laugh.
Otherwise, you’d never leave the house again.
And then there’s my clumsiness.
(Oh yes, it’s a lifestyle at this point.)
I’ve laughed at so many inappropriate times I’ve lost count. Weddings, funerals, meetings — if it was supposed to be solemn, you could bet good money I’d catch a bad case of the giggles.
One time, at a very serious awards ceremony, I tried to sneak off to the bathroom during a long, emotional speech.
In full stealth mode, I tripped on a chair leg, did that weird startled flamingo dance trying not to fall, and ended up shaking the entire row of seats.
The speaker stopped mid-sentence.
I locked eyes with someone else in the audience who was trying so hard not to laugh… which of course set me off completely.
Tears, snorts, the whole works.
I think they gave me an award just to get me out of there faster.
Here’s the real truth:
Every time we laugh at ourselves, we lighten the load.
We loosen the grip of perfectionism.
We let joy sneak back in, even when life feels heavy.
Laughter doesn’t erase life’s problems. It doesn’t fold the laundry, cure burnout, or solve world peace.
But it does give us breathing room.
It reminds us that even in the middle of chaos, we are still capable of joy.
So today, I’m prescribing laughter — loud, messy, slightly incontinent laughter — for all of us.
Your turn!
I’d love to hear your funny stories too.
If you feel like sharing in the comments, here’s a few ideas to jog your memory:
- Wardrobe Disasters: Ever worn something inside out? Had a heel break at the worst moment?
- Laughing Fits: Got the giggles somewhere completely inappropriate — like a funeral, a wedding, or a serious meeting?
- Wrong Person Moments: Waved at a stranger? Hugged the wrong person? Climbed into the wrong car (bonus points if pizza was involved)?
- Cooking Catastrophes: Tried to cook a fancy meal and ended up with something barely recognisable?
- Auto-Correct Mayhem: Sent a very wrong text thanks to autocorrect?
- Trying to Be Cool (and Failing): Attempted a dance move, a cool entrance, or a flirt — and ended up eating pavement instead?
Life is better when we can laugh at it — and even better when we can laugh together.
I can’t wait to hear your stories! ❤️😂
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