WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, FIND THE FUNNY

I was recently quoted in a New York Times Well Article, and I am dancing in my seat right now. Tune in to hear my thoughts on the experience, the comments that people have made about it, and 3 questions that you can ask yourself to see if you need more levity in your life.

• Am I taking this moment too seriously? 
• Does this lift me up or pull me down? 
• Do I welcome or resist opportunities to be silly?

Remember, humor can be a very powerful thing. It has the power to heal. It has the power to bring people together and bridge those gaps between people. But then, if you say something that offends, it has the power to crush careers.

Humor has the power to heal, connect, and transform lives—but how often do we allow ourselves to fully embrace it? As a culture, we’ve grown cautious about what we say, worried about offending others, or losing our professional credibility. But humor and levity, when used thoughtfully, can enrich our personal and professional lives in meaningful ways.

In this post, we’ll explore how humor can help us find joy, build connections, and bring lightness to even the heaviest of days.

What is Levity?

Levity is more than just humor. It’s about creating moments that are fun, uplifting, and light (FULL). These moments fill our metaphorical buckets, allowing us to rise above the stress, negativity, and heaviness that life sometimes brings.

To assess how much levity you’re bringing into your life, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Am I taking this moment too seriously?
   Even in challenging times, there’s often a silver (or silly) lining. Mistakes and missteps can become the funniest memories when we allow ourselves to laugh at them.
2. Does this lift me up or pull me down?
   What are you consuming or engaging with right now? Does it energize you, or does it drain your spirit? Even entertainment can leave us feeling worse. Choose uplifting activities that align with your goals and values.
3. Do I welcome or resist opportunities to be silly?
   When the chance to laugh or be playful presents itself, do you embrace it? Or do you shut the door on it? The next time an opportunity arises, pause and allow yourself to enjoy the moment.

The Healing Power of Humor

Humor is a remarkable tool that can bring levity to the most difficult situations. For example:

• A heart attack survivor cracked jokes with nurses after having his heart chemically restarted multiple times, saying, “Will you still respect me in the morning?”
• A cancer patient lightened the mood by joking with her doctor, “Where’s my sudden weight loss?”

Even in the face of adversity, these individuals found moments of lightness that helped them—and those around them—cope and connect.

Humor not only brings comfort but also fosters resilience and strengthens bonds with others. It’s a reminder that laughter truly is the best medicine.

Overcoming the Fear of Being Funny

Many people hold back their humor out of fear—fear of offending someone, being judged, or losing their status. But when you suppress your humor, you miss out on opportunities for connection, joy, and personal growth.

Here’s how you can start building your confidence:

1. Start Small: Test humorous moments in low-stakes settings.
2. Read the Room: Pay attention to how people react and adjust accordingly.
3. Embrace Feedback: Treat it as an opportunity to improve your communication skills.

By showing up as your authentic self, you give others permission to do the same. And yes, humor is a skill—it takes practice and intentionality to use it well.

A Challenge for You: Embrace Levity This Week

This week, I challenge you to:

• Find the funny in everyday moments, even the mundane or challenging ones.
• Express your sense of humor in small ways and observe how others respond.
• Be open to feedback and use it to refine your ability to connect with others through humor.

Remember, life is short. Why not fill it with laughter and joy? Humor bridges gaps, fosters understanding, and makes the human experience more bearable and beautiful.

About Dr. Heather Walker

For the last 15 years, Dr. Walker has dedicated her career to finding ways to help people thrive—personally and professionally. Which called her to help companies define, drive, and sustain their values. As an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, she truly believes that we can accomplish more in business when our bonds are strong. With this in mind, she founded a people-focused consulting firm called Lead with Levity, to help leaders create magnetic cultures that employees love.