That’s right. Silliness.

When was the last time you did something silly? I don’t mean a foolish mistake. I mean something downright silly, like singing your favorite song into your toothbrush microphone. Or making silly faces at yourself in the mirror.

It’s been awhile, hasn‘t it? (If not, great! You can stop reading now, silly old jestmaster!)

Life is full of serious things. Things like work, mental health issues, family problems. It can seem like everywhere we turn, there’s something else to weigh us down.

There’s a certain truth to that - life can be difficult. And that is all the more reason that we need to actively add some positive spice to our lives. And the particular seasoning I’m suggesting today is silliness.

Silliness is light and easy. You don’t need any props (not even a toothbrush). You don’t need to go anywhere. All you need is some willingness to let your guard down and be downright silly for just one moment.

I dare you to give it a shot. Tell yourself a joke. Sing a silly song. Make a funny noise. Talk to yourself out loud. Jump up and down. Act like a kid again, just for a minute. Go for it. No one is watching.

Who knows? You may find yourself enjoying life just a tiny bit more.

Here’s a joke:

Why did the hipster burn his tongue?

He drank his tea before it was cool.

Haha! Silly.

Shimmy Feintuch, LCSW CASAC-G maintains a private practice in Brooklyn, NY, and Washington Heights, NYC, with specialties in addictions and anxiety. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Contact: (530) 334-6882 or shimmyfeintuch@gmail.com. 

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