How can I lighten up?

[woollencats]

I am middle aged with 2 young kids and I try to make things fun for them. I have a good sense of humour.

However, I struggle with being serious and earnest sometimes and I want to loosen up. My father was an alcoholic (died in my teens) so things were tense and stressful. I envy people who grew up in a light hearted home. I still overthink. I WFH so I let things to do with the house take over my mind. I was better in an office TBH with people to bounce off but this job works between school runs. DH is impulsive but I have to take my time over things. It makes things tricky sometimes.

I lost a relative to cancer last year (my age) and it's made me think how life is so short and there is so much to be grateful for.

I am proud of coming out of the other side of a tough start and I've got a lovely family. I think I need something like laughter yoga!

What I used to do was just be deliberately silly. Lie down on the floor and let the kids climb all over you, they love it when they see you just letting go and chilling out with them doing silly stuff. We make up lots of daft songs and tbh now they're older it drives them nuts but fuck it, if you can't annoy your teens to distraction then what's the point 😁

Well you are who you are, but it sounds like more interaction with other people is what you need. Can you go back to the office a bit? What groups could you join?

Also - what’s fun for you? It’s probably not laughter yoga, have a think about what would actually lift your spirits - I know people for whom that is wild swimming, or Zumba, or regular nights out with mates

Play with your kids in the forest or playground, go on the swings with them. Be a kid with them. Play hide and seek, or whatever games they like. Put on music and dance around your house.

I suppose I am silly with them more than I think. Self critical 😂

I make up silly songs at bedtime. I tell stupid stories in the car. I play hide and seek. I pretend I can't see them when they are already there.

DH will always join them in climbing/running/jumping. I'm more of a talker!