Laugh, laugh, laugh and NEVER take yourself too seriously

A moment of freedom from our serious selves is therapeutic

A friend once invited me to a stand-up comedy show about motherhood. During the final act, the comedian told a story that’s stuck with me.

She explained how, on the night of the Champions League final, she had to pick up her kid from school. She headed to the nearest boteco pé sujo — which, in Brazil, is our charming name for a really crappy bar to watch the match.

She ordered herself a cold beer and, for her 3-year-old, a dinner that no pediatrician would approve.

Another school mom spotted her there. The glance — equal parts pity and silent disapproval — said everything.

But the comedian just smiled and delivered her final line with perfect timing:

“At least I’m raising my child to be a great bar companion.”

I laughed, hard. But more than that — I admired it.

In another letter, I wrote about Lord Byron and his belief that laughter is a form of medicine. That night, it felt true.
Not every choice needs to be pristine. Not every moment needs to be filtered or fixed. Sometimes, the mess is the magic. And the best kind of parenting looks like beer, bad fries, and a little self-deprecating humor.

Laugh at Your Own Existence

Allowing yourself to reflect on the absurdity of life isn’t a crisis — it’s clarity.

Embracing the meaninglessness of some aspects of life can be oddly freeing. When we stop worrying about worrying about our existence, something inside us loosens. It’s a good exercise in self-awareness — and a quiet rebellion against perfectionism.

In acknowledging the inherent humor of our human situations, we become braver, more resilient, and a lot more fun to be around.

---

We All Need Play in Our Lives

A moment of freedom from our serious selves is both joyful and therapeutic.

Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a way for adults to shed self-consciousness, reduce stress, and reconnect with creativity, delight, and each other. It’s not a luxury — it’s a human need.

And here’s the wonderful part: playfulness is contagious. Thanks to a phenomenon called emotional contagion (and the mirror neurons in our brains), laughter and lightness spread. When we see someone having fun, we’re wired to join in.

Play doesn’t just lift our moods — it builds social bonds, strengthens relationships, and improves our mental health. And this ripple effect isn’t just seen in humans — it’s been observed in animals too, like elephants.

So whether it’s laughing in a boteco, chasing your kid through a park, or cracking jokes, here’s your permission to not take life so seriously.

Just don’t forget to play. :)

Every child is an artist.

The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

Pablo Picasso

Beijos,

Babi

letter-b.com