Don’t Forget to Laugh on the Way: The Joyful Side of Life's Journey
- Jo Moore
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Life has a way of nudging us into seriousness. We set goals, meet deadlines, take on responsibilities, chase dreams, and navigate setbacks. In the process, we often forget a simple yet transformative truth: life is not just about achieving, but about experiencing - and learning to live on the joyful side of life's journey is one of the most important experiences we can have.
“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”--- Elbert Hubbard
This quote, humorous on the surface, carries profound wisdom. Yes, life demands effort and discipline - but that doesn't mean it should lack laughter, play, or spontaneity. In fact, research suggests that incorporating fun and play into our lives makes us healthier, more creative, and even more productive.
The Culture of Seriousness: How We Forget to Play
From an early age, we’re conditioned to take things seriously. School rewards achievement over curiosity, workplaces prioritize efficiency over enjoyment, and society often equates fun with immaturity.
Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, studied over 6,000 individuals and found a startling pattern: those who lacked play were more likely to experience depression, rigidity, and diminished creativity. In his book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, he writes:
“The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression.”
Our productivity-focused culture treats fun as something to “earn,” rather than something to integrate into our lives. But this mindset drains vitality and - ironically - makes us less effective.
The Psychology of Play: Why Fun Matters
Fun isn’t just entertainment - it’s emotional nourishment.
Engaging in play activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and endorphins that reduce stress and promote well-being.
A 2013 study in Psychology and Aging linked playfulness to better coping mechanisms, life satisfaction, and resilience. Lead author Dr. René Proyer concluded that:
Playfulness contributes to positive development across the lifespan.
Another study from the University of Zurich found that playful adults reported:
Better emotional health
Greater creativity
More satisfying relationships
Fun isn’t a luxury - it’s a survival skill.
The Seriousness Trap: When We Lose the Lightness
Being serious has its place - but it becomes harmful when it hardens into our default setting. Chronic seriousness can lead to:
Burnout
Perfectionism
Disconnection
Anxiety
Many of us fall into this trap during periods of change or healing:
“If I just work harder, I’ll figure it all out.”
“There’s no time for fun - I need to get my life together.”
But healing and transformation also come through moments of levity, creativity, and joy.
Joy in Spiritual and Philosophical Traditions
Across cultures and philosophies, joy is seen as essential - not frivolous.
In The Book of Joy, a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, joy is described as a spiritual practice. Despite suffering, both men radiated laughter and playfulness.
“Our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others.” - Dalai Lama
Their joy wasn’t solemn - it was mischievous and light-hearted. They laughed freely and teased each other like children.
Zen Buddhism also honors play through the concept of beginner’s mind - openness, curiosity, and presence. Zen master Suzuki Roshi said:
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.”
Fun keeps us open to wonder.
Fun Boosts Creativity, Learning, and Connection
Fun isn’t a distraction - it’s a catalyst.
A 2015 study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior showed that employees with playful
leaders were more innovative and more satisfied at work.
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson’s “broaden-and-build theory” also shows that positive emotions like joy and amusement expand our thinking and resilience.
And fun builds social trust. Researcher Brené Brown found:
“Laughter, song, and dance create emotional and spiritual connection… they remind us that we are not alone.”
Fun Is Personal: Discovering Your Joy Language
Fun looks different for everyone.
For some, it’s hiking or paddleboarding
For others, it’s dancing, painting, or joking with friends
The key is to notice what brings you alive.
Ask yourself:
When was the last time I laughed for no reason?
What did I love doing as a child?
What brings lightness into my day?
These answers are clues to your joy language.
How to Bring Fun Back Into Your Life
Even in the midst of deadlines, caregiving, healing, or uncertainty - fun is always an option.
1. Give Yourself Permission
Joy doesn’t need to be earned. Let go of guilt. Fun fuels your focus and resilience.
2. Schedule Micro-Moments of Joy
Tiny positive moments compound over time:
A five-minute dance break
A silly meme
Singing while cooking
Going barefoot outside
3. Create Play Rituals
Reintroduce play to your adult life:
Game nights
Creative journaling
Movement-based play (try laughter yoga or improv)
Playing with pets or kids
4. Laugh on Purpose
Laughter lowers cortisol and boosts mood - even when it’s “fake.” Watch comedy, recall funny stories, or surround yourself with joyful people.
5. Loosen the Grip on Goals
Instead of asking, “Did I achieve enough?” try:
“Did I enjoy the process today?”
Fun makes the journey sustainable and meaningful.
A Real-Life Story: Turning a Hard Hike Into a Joyful Memory
During a particularly tough group hike, the mood had turned sour - fatigue, bad weather, and vanishing trail markers tested everyone’s patience.
One woman started singing 80s pop songs and doing goofy dance moves. Some rolled their eyes… but soon others joined in.
Laughter returned. Tension lifted. Spirits soared.
The terrain didn’t change - our attitude did. She reminded us that joy is a choice, even mid-challenge.
Conclusion on The Joyful Side of Life's Journey: Lighten Up, Live Fully
Fun is not the opposite of focus - it’s what makes the journey worth taking.
“This is the real secret of life - to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”- Alan Watts
So, wherever you are on your path - whether building a dream, navigating grief, or just surviving the week - remember:
Laugh
Play
Be silly
Dance badly
Sing off-key
Delight in simple pleasures
Because the destination isn’t everything. How you travel shapes how you arrive.
Let joy walk beside you.
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📝 References
Brown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Avery.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.
Wellenzohn, S., Proyer, R. T., & Ruch, W. (2016). Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(2), 136–145.
UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. “The Science of Happiness.”
The Book of Joy (2016). His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Avery.
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