A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
I don’t know about you, but I feel like my sense of humor is finally starting to return. Not that it’s been completely gone during COVID-19, but it was definitely more dormant than usual. I was still able to find humor in the funny memes people were posting on social media about this strange new world we’re all living in right now, but soon after the heightened COVID-19 emotions like anxiety, grief, sadness, etc. would return.
What I’ve been seeing and experiencing, at least here in Flower Mound, Texas, is that as our state is slowly opening up, there also seems to be more hope, healing and humor coming back into our everyday lives. This isn’t to say that the sadness, grief, anxiety or other heightened emotions have disappeared completely (especially since this pandemic is ongoing and we’re all anxiously watching out for a second wave), but positive emotions are starting to resurface as well. Being able to laugh out loud and see the humor in everyday life can feel like a heavy weight being lifted off your shoulders and can help you feel more like yourself again.
The following are some of my recent life observations regarding hope, healing and humor.
First, know that I am a rule follower. So, when the recommendations started to come out about wearing masks in public, I fully embraced this new policy. A family member sent some nice, homemade cloth masks, and I started wearing them to the few places I go around town. Turns out, my mask is quite a hit, and I keep hearing, “I like your mask!” where ever I go. I’m adding that compliment to the “things I never thought I’d hear in my lifetime” list!
Next, my therapy private practice has been set up all online (even before the pandemic hit) so I’m already used to funny online occurrences, but there has definitely been some new COVID-19 related humor as well. Like the session where we were celebrating a client finding her favorite toilet paper brand, when my telehealth system completely shutdown, like it was saying, “new subject please!” Time to move on, got it!
There have also been some funny family moments with so much togetherness and so few excursions outside of the home. We’re one of those families that like to celebrate big things like the beginning of a new school year, a successful music performance, doing well at a sporting event, etc. You get the idea. During “normal times” we’d go out for a family meal or pick up treats to celebrate. Now, whenever the kids are going some place (which is still few and far between), it’s like a celebration to them with an expectation that there will be treats. Basically a “congratulations for leaving the house successfully” treat, because this is cause for celebration, mom!
I definitely want to try to keep the hope, healing and humor flowing in my life, especially as we more forward in these unchartered times. I hope to keep the laughter in the forefront of my life moving forward, as it’s so healing in and of itself!
So, where are you starting to see humor returning in your personal life? Are you able to find humor at work again? What family events have made you laugh out loud recently?
I wish you all hope, healing and humor!
