How To Find Humor in the Darkest Times
Laughter makes every day better.
Hi there!
I love to laugh. Most things amuse me. I also laugh when I’m nervous or uncomfortable. That’s not always funny.
When I was 13, my sister and I giggled through my grandma’s entire funeral. The minister was not impressed. There was nothing funny, but we were both overtired. Laughter was inevitable.
Fortunately, we were sitting in the front row. Only those seated closest to us and the minister noticed, but I was horrified. The harder we tried to stop, the funnier everything felt. It was like being gassed with nitrous oxide at the dentist’s office.
Even though I sometimes have an uncomfortable relationship with laughter, I still love it. I look for things to bring a smile to my face. The best things I can share so others can laugh, too.
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
- Victor Hugo
Scott Ninneman publishes two newsletters each week. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter features the newest content about bipolar life. The Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club Newsletter shares inspirational stories three times a week to help you maintain a positive mindset.
When Laughter Leaves
On the toughest mental illness days, a grim darkness drives away laughter. Even smiling becomes challenging.
The weight of the dark days is why I strive to find as much humor in the world as possible. The light I gather on the good days helps keep me afloat through the worst ones.
Laughter has many health benefits, but to me, the most important is that it just plain feels good. Even when you feel your worst, if a friend makes you laugh, the world feels a little less awful.
Being diagnosed with a mental illness is not funny, but to survive it, a sense of humor is essential. Laughter can guide you through the toughest times. Seek it and embrace it.
For today, look for things to make you laugh. Maybe you like sitcoms or rom-coms. Maybe you like cartoons or joke books. Whatever your taste, find your funny. Two of my favorite go-to’s are the Friends TV series and the movie, Just Like Heaven.
I have a twisted sense of humor, so I love the comics: Mark Parisi’s Off The Mark, and Gary Larson’s The Far Side.
You do you. Whatever you like, hunt for humor today, and laugh as much as you can.
Journal Prompt: Describe the funniest thing you’ve ever seen? Why was it so funny? How does laughing make you feel?
Creative Writing Prompt: Write a story about someone who laughs at an inappropriate time. What happens next?
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
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Well- this explains why I'm so drawn to humorous narratives in literature and media, and why I write some myself...