Just Be Silly

 Do something silly today. Seriously. For no reason at all.

The simple act of letting go and having fun — even for 30 seconds — can work wonders on your entire being. No planning. No permission. Just let go.

I raised six kids, and they will happily testify that I am extremely silly. Case in point: spontaneous, off-key singing at the absolute top of my lungs. Is it musical? No. Is it loud? Yes. Does it instantly raise the household silliness level? Also yes. Science probably supports this.

Silly games help too. Nothing fancy. Just a dash of imagination and a willingness to abandon dignity.

I tend to have a dark, dry sense of humor, but I’ve somehow been gifted with the ability to make people laugh. I consider it part of my life’s mission to catch someone completely off guard — stop them mid-stride, confuse them slightly, and then boom… laughter. Attitude shift achieved.

So whether it’s a mom of six skipping to the mailbox with her four-year-old (neighbors judging quietly), an awkward hopscotch attempt, or a sudden hand-slap challenge, it only takes a moment. And that smile? It has magical, forget-your-problems-for-a-minute powers.

Tonight, make a silly dinner. Watch a ridiculous movie. Play hide-and-seek. Capture the Flag (elite game, by the way). Have a scavenger hunt for the remote or gaming controller — because chaos is character-building.

Whatever it takes… just do it. Life is heavy enough. Add some silly.

Femininity is making a comeback

 I’ve been reading an interesting book on relationships, and its foundation is all about embracing femininity—frills, lace, and all the details. It made me wonder: why have we drifted so far from the traditions of historical womanhood? These foundations existed for centuries—surely there was a reason.

Think about Gone With the Wind. Scarlett may have seemed rebellious, even “unfeminine” by her era’s standards, but by today’s measures, she was far more feminine than the average woman in the U.S. now.

When did we start trying to blend in with men instead of standing apart? Why do we want to be treated just like they are? I love my comfy jeans and a tee as much as anyone, but when I take the time to get dolled up—even small changes like a black ruffled blouse—it affects how I feel. Confident. Special. Noticed.

Case in point: I wore a frilly, feminine shirt on a outing and had so many compliments on it. I never would have expected it—but it made me think. Maybe leaning into simple expressions of femininity can quietly transform the way we feel about ourselves… and how others see us.