Don’t take life too seriously! In this guide, you’ll learn why this is great advice, plus some practical steps for how to not take life too seriously.
In my role as a life coach, I am often helping clients take steps to be happier and more fulfilled in their lives.
That’s why I want to share this guide with you.
So, let’s dive in.
What Does It Mean To Not Take Life Too Seriously?
You live life without fear. You try to create fun wherever you go. You take today’s opportunities without worrying what could go wrong. You live in the moment. You focus on the bright side. You express yourself without filters. You don’t mind looking silly. You look to the future with optimism. You try to enjoy life all the time!
Why Do I Take Life Too Seriously?
The most common reason is caring too much about what other people think of you. You place too much value on their opinions, rather than your opinion of yourself.
An obsession with being liked and respected by others is often a symptom of not liking and respecting yourself. If you struggle with this, check out my list of self-love hacks.
Why You SHOULDN’T Take Life Too Seriously
Here are 21 reasons to stop taking life as seriously as you are.
1. The Stress
Stress is no fun. It stops you enjoying your life. It weighs you down. It can make you sick. When you stop taking life so seriously, you can literally feel the stress wash away.
2. You’ll Make More Friends
The paradox of taking life too seriously; we do it because we care what people think of us, but most men and women tend to like light-hearted and carefree people more.
- Light-hearted people exude positive fun energy that others want to be around.
- Serious people exude insecure stressed-out energy that others want to avoid.
You will make more friends when you don’t take life too seriously.
And ultimately, it’s your relationships with other people that will bring more happiness than anything else.
Plus, whatever serious thing you’re trying to achieve in life will become a lot easier when people enjoy being around you.
3. You’ll Be More Present
Being present to the moment is one of the most enriching ways to increase your happiness and overall well-being.
When you’re always stressing about how you look to other people, you’re never truly present. Instead, you’ll waste your life being stuck in your thoughts.
4. You’ll Do What You Actually Want To Do With Your Life
A big reason why people don’t follow their dreams is because they’re scared of what other people think.
When you stop taking life as seriously, you’ll feel free to chase the dream that actually makes you happy.
5. No-One Cares If You Look Silly
I challenge you to wear a silly costume in public. Or play some music and do a silly dance. You’ll see that no-one pays you a second thought. Within a few moments, they would have forgotten they even saw it. Ironically enough, that’s because they’re all worrying what people think of them.
6. You’ll Be Free
Ever wanted to go talk to someone super-attractive, but felt like you just couldn’t? Maybe you wanted to boogie-woogie down on the dancefloor, but there was something physically stopping you? It’s like you’re TRAPPED within your inhibitions. A horrible feeling, and I’m sure we’ve all been there.
When you stop taking life seriously, the shackles are removed. You’ll be FREE and honestly it’s an amazing feeling.
7. At Worst, You’ll Be Tomorrow’s Chip Wrappers
There’s a famous expression: today’s news is tomorrow’s chip wrappers.
The idea is that even if you make national news, people will forget about it soon enough.
Maybe some close family members will remember now and again. But that’s probably about it.
This is true of positive news as well. And that can be somewhat depressing. But it does mean there’s no reason to keep taking life so seriously.
8. You Can Tap Into Your Creativity Easier
Most creative masterpieces weren’t dreamed up from taking life seriously. In fact, they tend to explore the silliness of life. When you’re light-hearted enough to explore outside the norm, your creativity thrives.
9. You Can Stop Overthinking
Few people enjoy overthinking. No-one would miss being stuck in their thoughts all the time. When you realize the consequences of a wrong decision are rarely as serious as you imagine, it becomes easier to quit your overthinking habit.
10. You’ll Laugh More
In doing so, you’ll release all these amazing feel-good endorphins into your body more often.
11. All Humans Are Idiots
There’s no denying it. We’ve all made stupid mistakes. We’ve all made fools of ourselves. We’ve all farted in the bath and laughed at the bubbles.
The person who is always so darn serious is living a lie. They’re hiding their true selves and everyone else knows it.
The person who embraces their inner kookiness is genuine and authentic. People can sense that and tend to trust them more.
12. Money Can’t Buy Happiness
A lot of intensely serious people are financially motivated. Perhaps you have to be incredibly serious to achieve worldwide success and make a fortune at your craft, but this might not make you happy.
There are plenty of examples that illustrate this.
It’s also possible to find joy without a fortune, but with gratitude, friendships, family and a life mission that fulfills you.
13. A Little Silliness Adds Spice To Life
Everyday life is boring for a lot of people. A little bit of silliness can make someone’s day. Wouldn’t you like to be the person who does that?
14. “Will This Matter In Five Years?”
This is a good question to ask if you’re upset about something. If the answer is no, don’t worry about it for more than five minutes.
Spoiler alert: the answer is usually no. Another reason not to take life seriously.
15. The Anxiety
People who take life seriously tend to spend time worrying about things that might happen in the future. That’s right, they’re stressing about things that haven’t even happened. I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this at least once.
Needless to say, it’s awful for our mental health and another reason to stop taking everything so seriously all the time.
16. Realize Bad Things Will Happen To You Either Way
Some people take life seriously so they can avoid bad things. In reality, tragedies will strike whether you live in fear or not.
Some people choose not to live in fear and to deal with the tragedies life throws once they arise.
These people tend to live happier, more fulfilling lives. It’s the ups and downs of life that make one feel alive. You can’t have one without the other in this world.
Related Content: Why Life Sucks and 13 Expert Strategies For A Turnaround
17. All Work And No Play Makes Johnny A Dull Boy
This famous proverb rightfully suggests that a person becomes both bored and boring without time off work.
18. Your Carefree Existence Reminds Others That They Don’t Have To Take Life Seriously
When you’re relaxed and carefree, others will be this way around you. It’s a great service you’re doing to the world. This is why light-hearted fun people have so many friends.
19. Perhaps You Can Quit Your Drinking Habit
Ever wonder why drinking alcohol has been such a common pastime for centuries? It’s because they’re desperate to shake off their inhibitions and stop taking things so seriously.
If you learn how to do this naturally, you might be able to achieve this ‘high’ without infecting your body with such unhealthy substances.
20. You’ll Probably Live Longer
The stress of taking life so seriously will take its toll on you physically. You’ll probably live longer if you calm down and learn to enjoy the moment.
21. We’re All Going To Die Anyway
At this point, all the things you bothered to worry about won’t matter anyway.
Who Said “Don’t Take Life Too Seriously You’ll Never Get Out Of It Alive?”
Elbert Hubbard said it. And he’s right. We’re all silly imperfect creatures and we all end up buried in the ground in the end anyway.
How Not To Take Things Too Seriously?
Here are some ideas to help you stop taking things so seriously, so you can live your best life.
Do A Comfort Zone Challenge
Do a comfort zone challenge in public and you’ll learn that no-one cares if you look silly. At worst, people will stare at you for a few seconds, then look away and carry on living their lives. My guide on the best comfort zone challenges has hundreds of ideas for you.
The Five Second Rule
When you decide you want to do something, get in the habit of counting backwards from five and acting before you hit zero. This process will not only make you more productive, but you’ll erase your overthinking habit and start to realize that life is better when you just do what you want to do.
Enforce A Healthy Work/Life Balance
Give yourself time to rest and recover from your job. Get in the habit of creating time for your hobbies. Spend time with a friend, family member or other loved ones. These acts of self-care will not only help you enjoy life more, but they’ll help to refresh you ready for when you’re back on the grind again.
Devote More Time To Fun
Get in the habit of asking: “how can I make this more fun?”. Then, implement your idea. Don’t be afraid to try and sprinkle a little fun in other people’s lives. Sure, your jokes and fun gestures won’t land all the time, but most people will appreciate you trying to brighten their day. You’ll feel better too.
Related: 133 Best Simple Pleasures In Life
Listen To Cheesy Pop Music
Sing along. Dance like no-one is watching. This is a fun self-care process that can make a huge difference to your mood. Extra fun points for you if you do it in public.
Watch Stand-Up Comedy
Find a comedian you resonate with and binge on their videos. Most stand-up comedy focuses on the abusurdities of life – and their perspective can help you stop taking it so seriously.
Stop Watching The News
Take a moment to consider the following questions:
- When has watching the news helped you in life?
- Does watching the news make you happier?
I predict the answers are “never” and “no”. You can live without being aware of what’s happening in current events. In fact, I highly recommend it.
People think they need the news to make sense of the world. In reality, it just makes ‘em scared. The news is designed to create fear and uncertainty. You can learn more about this in my full list of reasons to not watch the news.
Perhaps you can’t imagine a world where you haven’t caught up with the news, but I urge you to try it for a week. See if it makes a difference to your mood. I bet you don’t miss it. There are so many things you can do with your time that’ll be more beneficial.
Ask Yourself “Will This Matter In Five Years Time?”
If it won’t, don’t worry about it for more than five minutes. You’ll be able to deal with most problems that arise throughout your life journey.
Focus On What You Should Take Seriously
This is the key message of Mark Manson’s insanely popular book The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck.
Manson explains that the key a good life to understand what’s most important to you and give as many fucks as you can about that. When you do that, it becomes easier not to take other unimportant little things so seriously.
“Don’t Take Life Too Seriously, Nobody Makes It Out Alive.”
Any Questions?
Thanks for reading my guide. I had fun writing these words for you. I hope it helps you stop taking things so seriously in your own life. After all, your perspective of life will shape the way it goes.
If you have a question on this topic, feel free to leave it in the comments below.
I check for new comments all the time and it would be great to hear from you.
