What Are We Doing? Life of Laughter
Remember the days when we use to go to movie theaters? We’d sit in one space and watch movies together. You know, like a month ago. I miss those days. It’s not that I need to go to the theater to see the film. I can wait long enough to rent it or see it free on some streaming platform.
Honestly, it’s that I want to be around people. I want to connect with someone. Movie theaters are an oddly communal thing. You can sit with complete strangers and laugh at the same thing.
Whenever I feel stressed or life feels a little more chaotic I often find myself pulling into a movie theater and escaping into someone else’s story. It gives me a release of feelings when I don’t know how to sort through my own. It gives me a connection with others when I feel disconnected from everyone around me…even myself.
Somehow, this moment of a movie with other humans in the theater grounds me back to reality. It reminds me I am not alone. Someone else in the universe has felt something similar to me. Someone else has laughed in uncertainty, sorrow, pain, or grief.
In this season of closed movie theaters, I find myself coping with chaos in different ways. Yet, one thing remains the same: Laughter.
I need laughter!
I need the grounding connection that spills over from this physiological body shaking noise inducing joy.
I need little laughs that slip out the side of my mouth. I need gut shaking laughs that rattle my ribs. I need tear-filled laughs that remind me this salty water extends beyond sadness.
I just need laughter!
Whether it’s alone or with others, I don’t care. Laughter causes me to lighten and love.
These days I cannot seem to muster the mental stamina to watch full-length movies. Maybe it is due to an overloaded brain trying to make new decisions every minute. Maybe it is due to a weary brain trying to decipher reliable information in this unreliable time. Maybe it is due to magnified discomfort in my soul from all the slow stillness.
Whatever the reason, I have turned to shorter bouts of comedic escape.
I feel overwhelmed by work. I turn on Carpool Karaoke with James Corden for ten minutes. I laugh with James and the chosen celebrity as they overdramatize sing-alongs in the car. I may even sing along with them. I’m golden after that.
I feel overwhelmed by grocery shopping, piecing together meals based on whatever the grocery store has in stock. I turn on my favorite podcast, That Sounds Fun with Annie F Downs. Suddenly, I’m pulling up a chair to the table. I’m laughing with her and the chosen guest as they discuss their latest quarantine oddities and delirious decisions.
I feel overwhelmed by life. I give myself permission to create a Tik Tok. Then laugh at the ridiculousness of how much effort went into learning this 15-second dance meant for Gen Zers.
I feel overwhelmed with loneliness. I Facetime, Zoom call, or Marco Polo my friend’s kids who are sure to tell me a 5-minute string of knock-knock jokes and riddles. Most of which are connected to bathroom humor. I. Am. Here. For. It.
I feel overwhelmed at the end of the day. I turn on an episode of Blackish or Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and laugh so loud at the honest and comical reality in technicolor right before my very eyes. I laugh alone. Yet, I laugh so loud the neighbors hear me through the open windows. I. Do. Not. Care.
I absolutely need laughter!
Laughter fills my soul.
Laughter lightens the load.
Laughter lets me feel.
Laughter keeps me connected.
Laughter helps me love better.
Whether you’re laughing solo or laughing surrounded, I hope you’re finding laughter each day!
What laughter keeps your soul feeling light and connected?
What laughter helps you love better?
If it’s healthy laughter, stick with it. If you need help finding laughter, ask a friend who is good at it. I bet they can give you some good tips and tricks along the way.
Picture via Canva
