I would venture to say that the majority of my friends and family would not describe me as “jolly.” On the contrary, I tend to be an awkward mix of volatile and passionate. I’m not a fan of physical touch and I infuse sarcasm in 95% of my conversations. While I firmly believe I am (mostly) a good time to be around, I also know that I’m not the always-smiling, always-bubbly girl at the party unless there’s lots of alcohol. (I’m usually the quiet one on the floor in the corner with 8 dogs.)
All of that to say, if you’re like me and not in the habit of joking around and smiling on a daily basis (especially during these dark times), I believe we should be. We all deserve to have at least one big belly laugh a day. Not a polite smile or a forced chuckle- a genuine, outburst of laughter.
True to my introvert ways, I often find something hilarious to laugh at when I’m all alone. Jimmy Fallon videos, inappropriate Reddit threads, dog and cats videos… All of those are total winners for me. That said, laughing alongside my husband or best friends is my most preferred laughter outlet.
Some people laugh a lot (is it weird that I’m jealous of those folks?) and this is an unnecessary reminder, but for those of you who go a day or a week without fully utilizing every part of your lungs for a laugh, try to change it up. If you only have three minutes watch a Youtube video. If you’ve got a few hours pop in a comedy or meet your funniest friend for lunch. (Have you seen Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, yet? I was gasping for air, crying & laughing.)
I don’t do it as often as I should, but laughter does the soul good. We could all benefit from a little more joy. Tears from laughter always trump tears of sadness or anger or fear. (Pun possibly intended…?)
*Suggestion: While SNL is killin’ it right now, avoid those clips during your daily dose of laughter. Personally, those clips make me smirk- not belly laugh. They’re awesome and hilarious and so on point, but they can stir up outrage, too, and that’s not the emotion we’re going for in these few moments of hilarity.
So if you’re like me and you forget to make laughing a priority in your day-to-day schedule, this is your gentle reminder to sit down for a second and enjoy something funny. The heavy stuff is always going to be there and sometimes we just need a break!
Life as Louise 
I’ve never thought about how much I forget to laugh?! Also a party with 8 dogs sounds like the best party ever and I’m jealous that you have been to one.
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I may have exaggerated… maybe not 8… but if there’s a dog at a party I am all about floor-sitting and ear-scratching 🙂
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oh i am so glad that guardians 2 is funny! I can’t wait to find time to go on a movie date with my husband to that! and as someone who laughs a lot, I can tell you that it helps a lot with getting through almost anything. including and especially my current cranky and sleep deprived state!
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It’s so strange to me how some people laugh all the time and some just don’t. I don’t think I’m super serious and I try to laugh off every situation I can, but I rarely laugh out loud at stuff.
Guardians is SO good. Definitely schedule a date night!
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I like this. I definitely don’t laugh as much as I used to. Part of that is just getting older and more grounded (my emotions definitely aren’t as up and down as they used to be) but part of it is like you said – not really making time for it. The people who make me laugh the most are my sisters, but sometimes I can get a laugh from Reddit, or the dogs, or a book. I want to go to more comedy clubs! We went to my first one ever last year and it was so much fun!
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My best friends, my dad, and K make me laugh the hardest. When I was sitting at the theater watching GotG2 my stomach was actually cramping because I was laughing so hard. It feels so good to just laugh but I think adults often forget that 😦 I do, at least. It’s something I’d like to work on.
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Laughter is usually my daily dose of medicine.
Its funny how people have such different senses of humor. I can laugh till TEARS at videos every day… my hubs, I think I’ve heard him belly laugh MAYBE a dozen times in knowing him 25 years.
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K doesn’t laugh very often, either. I LOVE it when he does, though. My best friend laughs to the point of tears every time someone cracks a joke. I want her kind of joy!
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I find myself laughing at least several times a day. Sometimes it is the only thing that really gets me through the day! If I dont laugh, I cry. haha. SNL is seriously killing it lately. Chris and I live for Weekend Updates and Spicy.
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Those are my two favorite parts of SNL, too. I don’t know what to do now that the season is over 😦
I love that some people laugh all the time. Two of the guys in our warehouse are like that and it’s just so infectious!
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Yikes, I can’t even think of the last time I really truly deeply laughed. I have been so serious and “get the job done” lately in all aspects of life. This is a good reminder that I need to lighten up – Thanks!
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I’m like that, too 🙂 When that crying-laughter DOES finally hit it just feels like such a relief! Hopefully you experience it soon! 😀
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The first paragraph of this post perfectly describes me and it is something i have NEVER been able to articulate. I often become frustrated with myself because I feel like my personality is such a collection of contradictory characteristics that people are never quite sure how to take me. I love this post though, and you’re completely right, laughter is good for the soul!
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Yep yep. I am perfectly ok with being how I am, but it means I miss on some stuff (like uncontrollable giggles) when I forget to consciously seek out that kind of joy.
Thanks!
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Laughter is so important, especially in those dark, dark times when you more often feel like running around screaming at the top of your lungs. Many people always think that I am the happiest person because that is the persona I most often display, but those who really, really know me laugh heartily at their mistake. I am happy but I am also very moody. But laughter helps me stay balanced and not see darkness everywhere I look. It reminds me that big belly laughs can and should happen frequently and that I will survive. And yes! Guardians of the Galaxy v2 was hilarious!
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I’ve never been very good at masking my emotions with laughter. I think I usually come off exactly how I’m feeling. (Although sometimes I know I seem sad or down when really I’m just quiet or tired.) I love that you said laughter keeps you balanced! I think that’s a wonderful thing!
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I am very similar in so many ways: sarcastic, quiet one at the party, not a fan of physical touch. Yup, yup, yup! I definitely do try to laugh and make people laugh as much as possible. Totally agree with everything you said. 🙂
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I have a very dry, sarcastic type of humor. When someone hears me say something under my breath or when I crack an off-color joke and people laugh, it always makes me feel good to know I’m around people that “get” me.
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i am not a fan of physical touch either. i mean, i’m a walking contradiction – i love hugs but only with some people. but mostly i hate other people touching me.
i am not really a laugh out loud person. it takes a lot to make me actually laugh. i am totally jealous of people who laugh easily and often. for me, i either look up my favourite (australian) comedian and watch some of his videos, or i watch cats or babies on youtube. they always make me laugh so hard i can’t catch my breath. especially babies eating lemons. hilarious.
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I really dislike hugs unless it’s someone that I really care about who I haven’t seen in a long time. The people who hug hello and goodbye every time they see each other (like every day) drive me nuuuuuts 🙂 Haha! My family doesn’t hug, but K’s family does. I’m used to it now, but for a while I wasn’t.
I swear sometimes the sound of my own laughter throws me off. It makes me dogs jump, for sure. I love laughing out loud, but I rarely do it.
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Also, if you’re looking for something to make you laugh, Chris Pratt bloopers. Mainly his Parks and Rec stuff. I don’t watch the show often but the bloopers are amazing.
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I definitely forget to laugh. I think I only laugh like once every few days. I am definitely a serious person but give me a clip of someone hurting themself and I will laugh out loud(Yup! I’m the worst). As you can tell I was always a huge fan of America’s Funniest Videos.
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Hahahahahahahaha- that’s amazing. I won’t lie… videos of children falling make me laugh SO hard. Haha!
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This is a great reminder. Seriously, I wish I was laughing more too. I would say I’m pretty passionate and volatile as well. I’ve recently got a lovely jaded streak. ick. Trying to pull positivity and laughter in when I can. This is so great and so true. Guardians 2 made me laugh a lot as well! I think I’d like to try reading some comedy, a funny book does me well as well! Xo – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I agree…. The slope is pretty slippery. Laughter is like a rope hanging down that we can use to pull ourselves up into the sunshine 🙂 That felt very metaphorical. Oops!
I don’t know if you’re a big Parks and Rec fan, but even if you’re not, the Chris Pratt bloopers from that show are amazing. I can’t get 15 seconds in without gasping for air 🙂
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Oh my gosh, SNL is killing it. I about died with that Handmaids Tale skit. But yeah, it’s more rage-inducing laughter than anything!
I love to laugh and I am one of those people who laughs at everything. Loudly. haha! I love a good meme or youtube video. Sometimes Nick and I just sit on the couch showing each other dumb stuff.
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You seem like one of those people who’s very joyful and full of laughter 🙂 That’s such a wonderful quality in a person! K likes to call me over and show me funny or cute videos and memes, too. The couples that laugh together, stay together 😉
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