Taking things seriously is a good trait, indicating that you are sincere, caring, and hardworking. However, taking things "too" seriously can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety about things that don't really need to be worried about. By learning why we tend to take life seriously and how to add humor and lightness to life, you can stop being so serious and spend more time enjoying life.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Trying to Improve Jokes
Step 1. Use the list to straighten your point of view
Take off your serious attitude by asking questions that can help you determine your priorities. When you feel tense, seriousness will build up inside you, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this worth worrying about?
- Is it appropriate to do this to worry others?
- Is this very important?
- Is this really that bad?
- Is this really that hard to fix?
- Is this your problem?
Step 2. Accept others with humility
Seriousness can make it even more difficult for you to accept things that should be taken lightly or playfully. You may jump to conclusions about what the other person meant or did. For example, if someone tells you that you have a small stain on your shirt, you take it as an expression of your inability to look presentable. As such, helpful comments may even be considered offensive.
Try to find meaning in people's opinions other than your too serious response. Remember that most people don't say things with more intent than what they say
Step 3. See the humor around you
Being able to find humor in life is just as important as being able to see things more practically, seeing things with a blind eye. When you're almost thinking "I'm too old for this" or "Does anyone like this?", try to find a part of you that can enjoy it - even if you have to be like everyone else.
After all, research shows that the two most sought-after traits in a leader are having a great work ethic” and “a good sense of humor.” Just think that you can be dedicated and work hard without being serious all the time. Learning while playing, right?
Step 4. Increase flexibility
You never know where your life is going and it's possible that your shattered plans and unfulfilled goals will lead to something very different and unexpected. We all know the saying that the most important thing in life is the journey, not the destination. So, relax because usually things that are not planned and erratic bring surprises that you never even thought you would get.
Try to reimagine your highest goals as markers on your journey. With this, the goal isn't the end of the world (i.e. a tunnel point of view that focuses on one goal). But goals are moments that inspire you to make bad things sweeter
Part 2 of 3: Things to Improve Jokes
Step 1. Get out of the habit often
If you take a different direction and allow other things to replace your routine, you will be more comfortable dealing with the little surprises in life. Plus, you'll experience more of the benefits of the unexpected, like finding great new friends at the bar you decide to go to.
Even a small change in routine, like a new route to work, will remind you to pause and focus on the things you normally miss. Small changes can still help us relax (so that our attention is distracted from the things that make us worry) and enjoy the present
Step 2. Learn how to deal with stress
When you're stressed, you're more likely to take things seriously; Stress occurs when your body is tense. With this, a cycle of stress occurs; stress from taking things too seriously and taking things seriously causes stress. It is important that you learn both mental and physical methods to reduce stress. The example is
- Long-term lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.
- Using a to-do list
- Reduce negative thoughts
- Practicing progressive muscle relaxation
- Learn how to focus your mind and visualize meditation
Step 3. Express yourself through movement
By relaxing yourself literally, you'll find it easier to respond to life with joy. There are many arts that use movement to help you relieve the heavy pressure that usually comes with serious thoughts. Depending on your interests, you could take dance, yoga, aerobics, or more expressive arts classes like improvisational comedy or basic acting.
By taking classes in these areas, you may find it more helpful than studying on your own because breaking away from others can be more challenging than studying on your own
Step 4. Incorporate music into your life
Listening to music more often is a good way to change your mood because music helps emphasize certain feelings. With this, if you're trying to lighten the load and focus on the more enjoyable parts of life, listen to upbeat music to bring out the fun things more clearly.
Try listening to music with a fast tempo in a major key. Any type of song will work as long as you feel relaxed
Step 5. Laugh as much as you can
Look for things to make you laugh so you'll always remember that there's a lot of humor in all situations. Here are simple ways to make you laugh:
- Watch funny movies or TV shows
- Come to the comedy club
- Read comics in the newspaper
- Share funny stories
- Playing with friends
- Play with pets (if you have one)
- Come to a “laughter yoga” class
- Play with kids
- Doing fun activities (such as bowling, miniature golf, karaoke).
Step 6. Make a joke to combat mild frustration
You'll always find things annoying, but you can always turn them into jokes. If you don't find anything funny when, for example, you find hair in your soup, laugh at the fact that even the smallest thing can ruin your plans (or have a light talk with your waiter…).
- Instead of getting irritated and ruining your day if your printer doesn't work, joke that you deserve it because you're still using inkjet printers from the 90s.
- Try zooming in on something small to show how stupid it can be if you accidentally zoom in on it. Nagging when you break your fingernails or drop coins down the drain, make it look like these are the most serious things in the world. With this, you'll get an outside perspective on how you really would be if you took it too seriously.
Step 7. Find fun and supportive friends
The easiest way to remind yourself to stop taking things too seriously is to get caught up in a fun group atmosphere where people can instantly take your seriousness away. Remember the friends you already have and the new people you meet who always seem to have a good laugh and make you do the same.
- Even when you're not together, imagine what your friends would think if you took a recent issue seriously. How will they react?
- Plus, laughing together is an effective way to strengthen relationships. Laughing together builds a bond to share emotionally, but adds a fun, lively side to it.
Part 3 of 3: Finding the Source of Seriousness
Step 1. Reflect on the reasons why you seek perfection
Excessive seriousness usually comes from trying too hard to live a certain way. For example, you are too focused on healthy eating, preparing only gluten-free, superfoods just for yourself. Chances are if someone offers you a cake at a birthday party, you will be unfriendly, uncomfortable, and will explain your diet at length. Imagine the person is thinking: “Oh my gosh, just a piece of cake. So what?"
- While it's good to set goals, if you pursue them too passionately, small obstacles will seem big and taking them seriously every time will only make them bigger.
- Research has shown that perfection is less likely to create success and productivity because it usually comes with procrastination.
Step 2. Ask yourself if you are trying to prove yourself
Sometimes seriousness arises when we see things as evidence of our abilities and self-worth as human beings. Do you know the kind of student who always treats every small assignment like a final exam? When he gets a bad grade he is no longer considered a good student and will fail.
- When everything is done to prove your worth, even trivial tasks will be your moments to prove yourself.
- See if you find it difficult when you feel vulnerable. At work and at home, we unconsciously build a high image of all aspects of life. As a result, we don't want to show signs of hesitation or emotional reactions to stress.
- This becomes even more evident if you are pressured by high expectations, or if those around you already consider you a success. Are you trying to maintain your reputation as a hard worker who does everything?
Step 3. Remember that our culture likes purposeful people
Because capitalist society focuses more on efficiency and productivity, people who are able to set and achieve their goals are seen as great. We often forget that this is just one of the tactics for doing business. When applied to all areas of life, we are persuaded that we really know what we have to do and how to do it.
- It's good to be a product of culture, of course, but don't forget where that attitude comes from so you can do it more responsibly, not compulsively.
- This attitude can limit your ability to learn more from the world and limit our ability to take surprises more casually and pleasantly.
Step 4. Watch when seriousness becomes defensive
The main source of seriousness is a heightened fear of danger. After all, you're unlikely to be able to relax and take things lightly when you're faced with a problem and need defense against the threat. Try to lighten your seriousness by looking at the positive sides of what you have encountered and think about the benefits you get by meeting new things.
Many people have an overactive consciousness formed by their parents. While parental intentions are certainly good, over-warning of danger and a sense of vigilance will allow you to take (and focus) seriously on things and their dangers
Step 5. Learn the consequences of over-seriousness
One of the downsides of being too serious all the time is being limited in taking chances and thinking outside the box. Seriousness that is too emphasized will result in a narrow understanding to know what things are suitable for you to do and what are not. When you ignore things that annoy or excite you in indescribable ways, you can lose your natural ability to expand your horizons.
- Ironically, being too serious can also make you even more unproductive because you feel tense about one thing. For example, if we're out for a walk and it feels like the sky will fall if dinner isn't ready by 7 o'clock, we get rushed and ignore the pleasures of cooking that can motivate you to make more challenging and original dishes.
- Being serious also has an impact on your relationships with other people, you will be more likely to judge and criticize what you see. You may enjoy hearing someone laugh, but your serious attitude will make you think that laughter can't pay for treatment if someone gets into an accident.
