Turning Setbacks Into Laughter

After some thoughtful feedback and a bit of reflection, I’ve decided to switch things up and focus on just one character strength each week instead of two. 

I want the blog to be easier to digest and more practical to put into action—plus, it’ll be a bit lighter and more enjoyable to read. Thanks for sticking with me on this journey of growth!

Speaking of making things easier and more enjoyable, who couldn’t use a good laugh these days? 

This week, I’m excited to dive into the character strength of humor. It’s a wonderful way to lighten our moods, connect with others, and bring a little more joy into everyday life. Let’s explore how embracing humor can brighten our outlook and strengthen our resilience.

The “Humor” Strength

Humor helps us find the playful side of life, making others smile or laugh even when times get tough. It acts like a social lubricant, easing conversations and helping groups connect more easily. By viewing adversity with a cheerful outlook, humor helps us sustain a good mood and cope with stress in a positive way.

Humor in Action (Turning a Setback Into a Laugh)

It all started with a small pen stain on my daughter’s new shirt. It was just a tiny ink mark that somehow felt like a major setback. As she and I stood together, trying various stain-removal tricks (spoiler: none of them worked), 

I sighed and said, “You know, if I could have any minor household superpower, I’d choose the ability to remove any laundry stain with a snap of my fingers.”

We started brainstorming other minor superpowers we’d actually want—no big powers, because that would be too easy. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Automatic matching of socks in the laundry (because who hasn’t lost a sock to the mysterious abyss of the dryer?)
• Always having gas in the car when you need to drive (which would save us both a lot of last-minute panic)
• Instant repair of broken plates and glasses (since accidents happen)

Before long, we were laughing at our own wish list of silly, practical superpowers. The pen stain was still there, but suddenly it didn’t feel like such a big deal. Sometimes, a little humor and a shared “what if?” is all it takes to turn a frustrating moment into a funny memory.

5 Ways to Promote Humor (And a Good Laugh)

1. Watch Comedy Shows or Stand-Up: Schedule regular time to enjoy comedy shows or stand-up performances, either alone or with others, to keep your sense of humor sharp and engaged.
2. Use Self-Deprecating Humor: Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself when things go a little sideways. It makes you more relatable and helps others feel comfortable.
3. Seek Out Funny Content: Try listening to a funny podcast or audiobook, looking at humorous comic strips, or watching a quick video that makes you smile or laugh (silly animals anyone?). This sets a playful tone for the hours ahead.
4. Infuse Your Routine with Playfulness: Lighten the mood by weaving in games, or light-hearted humor throughout your week. Share funny memes or amusing stories with your friends.
5. Create a Humor Journal: At the end of the day, write about three funny things that happened to you during the day. Later, you can return to your writing for an instant mood boost.

This Week’s Strength Challenge

I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and tell me:

What’s your go-to minor superpower? 

What made you laugh this past week? 

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re interested in a personalized strengths exploration, I’m offering a limited number of discounted strength sessions this summer. Email me at dianna@collierclan.net for details.