In today’s world, humor is more than just a way to pass the time on social media. It’s a tool, a shield, and for many of us, a sanity-saving device. Why is it that our best defense in the face of awkward, embarrassing, or downright soul-crushing moments is to laugh them off?
Truthfully, laughing at our experiences helps us create some distance between ourselves and the painful or uncomfortable situations we go through. It’s as if we’re saying, “Yes, I fell face-first into adulthood, but at least I can make a joke about it.”
Using comedic relief allows us to take life’s little disasters and turn them into entertaining anecdotes for friends or funny posts online — a way of reclaiming control over our past.
Laughing at the Past (and the Awkward Growth Spurts)
There’s something therapeutic about looking back at your younger self and cringing, chuckling or even belly-laughing at the things you used to stress over. Remember those very dramatic high school journal entries? Or that phase where you swore you’d become a world-class ukulele player (and bought a ukulele that is now gathering dust under your bed)? We laugh at our past because it shows growth—what once felt monumental now seems small, or at least manageable.
But beware: sometimes looking back too much can keep us stuck in those memories instead of allowing us to fully move on. The trick is to laugh, but not linger. After all, a little self-deprecation can be humbling, but too much can make us feel like our own worst critic.
The Healthy Side of Humor
Let’s be honest: sometimes “comedic relief” can turn into something a bit darker. Maybe that self-deprecating humor veers into negative self-talk, or perhaps your “funny” comments end up offending someone.
For example, let’s say your mom who didn’t appreciate the joke about her cooking
True comedic relief should leave you feeling lighter, not meaner. That’s why it’s important to check yourself and make sure your humor isn’t leaning too far into self-bashing or defensiveness. Humor should be an outlet for stress, not another source of it.
How to Laugh at Life Without Losing Yourself in the Jokes
So how can we use humor in a healthy way? First, try practicing what I call the “Punch Up, Not Down” rule—meaning, use your humor to gently poke fun at things within your control or that have passed, not to tear yourself or others down.
Next, surround yourself with people who know how to laugh with you, not at you. Friends who embrace your quirks are worth their weight in gold.
Finally, remember that humor is a complement to other ways of processing your emotions, like talking things out or even journaling (yes, despite those high school entries, it still helps).
In Conclusion: Life’s Hard, But So Are We
Life has its ups and downs, but when we look back, we’ll find that those moments we laughed off were often the ones that helped us grow. Comedic relief is a skill—a way to reflect, cope, and ultimately move forward with a lighter heart and a more balanced perspective. So, keep laughing, but remember: it’s okay to cry a little too.
Let us know on X how you use comedic relief after reading this article by tweeting us @VALLEYmag!
