The Ridiculousness!
The So-Called Silly Things that Soften the Edges of Daily Life
The world can feel hard. Life can be hard. There are moments when the weight of it all feels too much, when responsibilities pile up, when hearts break, when uncertainty lingers like a heavy fog. It’s okay to admit that things don’t always feel okay. Life doesn’t always hand us easy answers or gentle paths. But within that hardness, there’s a quiet strength, the whisperings that say keep going. . .
Even in the heaviness, there’s still beauty. In small acts of kindness, in shared laughter, in a single breath that reminds you you’re still here. Acknowledging that life is hard doesn’t mean giving up, it means honouring your humanity and holding space for grace, healing, and hope. The so-called silly things help to keep us soft and that’s about being human. Today how about we embrace glorious nonsense, because it makes absolutely no sense, but feels so good. It can help to boost our mood and spark creativity so I say why the h*ll not!
It’s about feeling ALIVE and not just existing from day to day! It’s medicine for the heart and I feel we all need a little (a lot) more of this. We don’t have to be so serious, achieving or have all the answers all of the time!
Here are some beautiful benefits of embracing the silly which are often the most soul-nourishing.
Joyful Release – silly moments let you shake off stress and reconnect with lightness
Authenticity – it invites you to show up as your true, unfiltered self, without the pressure to ‘perform’
Presence – playfulness anchors you in the now, where your inner child feels safe and seen
Connection – shared silliness builds deeper bonds with others through laughter and vulnerability
Creativity Boost – being playful frees up mental space and often unlocking ideas, insights, and solutions
Low Pressure - silliness relaxes our nervous system and strengthens the heart
Stress Relief - letting go of inhibitions and being playful can help reduce tension, release endorphins, and boost your mood
Boosts Creativity - when you embrace silliness, you free up your mind and allow for more creative thinking and problem-solving
Improves Social Connections - people are often drawn to those who are light-hearted and fun. Being silly can help build rapport and strengthen relationships
Increases Resilience - finding humour in tough situations can help you cope with stress, failure, and adversity by keeping a lighter perspective
Promotes a Healthy Mindset - a playful attitude can remind you not to take life too seriously, helping to maintain a balanced, positive mindset
Physical Health - laughing, which often accompanies silliness, has physical health benefits, such as boosting your immune system, improving circulation, and even reducing pain perception
Encourages Vulnerability - being silly can show others that you're not afraid to let your guard down, fostering trust and deeper connections
Improves Focus - taking breaks for fun and silliness can refresh your mind and help you return to tasks with renewed focus and energy
Enhances Emotional Intelligence - the ability to recognise the right moments to be silly can help you navigate social situations with more emotional awareness
Fosters Playfulness in Others - when you allow yourself to be silly, it often encourages others to do the same, creating a fun and positive environment.
So my hope that by softening the edges of daily life with a sprinkle of silliness it can in return be good medicine! So with this in mind I am going to invite you to join me in a Silly and Soulful Challenge for the next week!
Silly and Soulful Challenge: To do one playful act a day that gives you a whole body YES!
Show up in the comments with me for the next 7 days! Let’s see how our silliness can touch others around the world by the threads we share in the comments below. A beautiful rippling silliness!
Each day I will share a new silly idea (in the comments under this essay, and in notes on Substack) and I invite you to add yours below.
It’s just one tiny idea a day for 7 days, that makes absolutely no sense... but feels so good.
Look below in the comments for todays silly idea and then when you’ve done there pop back here to see our ‘moving inwards’ practice, you’re not going to want to miss this one!
Today's the day we play with the feeling of bringing a softness in to your current state, physically, mentally and emotionally. As we aim to move softly through life, and remember to be gentle with ourselves, and allow any pushing and resistance to dissolve away.
Take a few seconds to get settled in here, to arrive on your mat and just notice how you are feeling. Then nice and easy, take a deep breath in and enjoy this beautiful Restorative Yoga Sequence that is designed to help you soften, relax, find peace, and release tension. It’s a perfect yummy practice for reducing stress, improving flexibility, and restoring energy.
I invite you to put on your favourite soothing background music and move through each posture spending approx 5 minutes in each. Take your time with each pose, adjusting props for maximum comfort.
Sequence duration: approx 35 minutes
Props: Blankets, pillows, yoga blocks, bolster, a rolled towel or cushions.
Pay attention to your breath. Breathe deeply into your belly and ribs, using the ‘4-7-8’ breath to deepen relaxation. This breathing technique is to inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, and exhale for 8 counts. Focus on slow, steady breaths, letting go of any thoughts as they arise. If this breath feels difficult then let it go and find a natural rhythm that works better for you.
1. Savasana (Corpse Pose) - 5 minutes
Start in a comfortable position lying on your back. Use props under your knees or head if needed to create more comfort. Allow your arms to rest by your sides with your palms facing upward. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths, allowing your body to sink into the floor. Letting go of any tension.
2. Supported Child's Pose (Balasana) - 5 minutes
Kneel on the mat, with your knees wide apart, and bring your big toes together. Rest a bolster or cushion under your chest to support your body as you gently fold forward, allowing your forehead to rest on the mat or a block. Extend your arms forward or rest them by your sides. Breathe deeply, feeling the gentle stretch in your hips, back, and shoulders.
3. Reclined Cobbler's Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) - 5 minutes
Lie on your back and bring the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to drop out to the sides. Place cushions or blankets under your knees for support. You can also place a bolster under your back for additional support. Rest your arms by your sides or place them on your belly to connect with your breath. Breathe deeply into your belly, allowing it to expand and contract.
4. Supported Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana) - 5 minutes
Sit with your legs extended straight in front of you. Place a bolster or cushion on your thighs or in front of you. Slowly fold forward, keeping your spine long, and rest your chest on the bolster or your legs. You can also use blankets or blocks to support your head or chest. Relax and breathe deeply, focusing on releasing tension in your lower back and hamstrings.
5. Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) - 5 minutes
Sit next to a wall and gently lie down, extending your legs up the wall. If your legs don't reach the wall comfortably, you can use a cushion or bolster under your hips. Let your arms rest by your sides, palms facing upward. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. This pose helps calm the nervous system and improves circulation, especially if you’ve been standing or sitting for long periods.
6. Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) - 5 minutes
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place a block or bolster under your sacrum for support. Allow your arms to rest at your sides or place them on your belly. Gently lift your hips toward the ceiling and relax into the support of the prop. Focus on breathing deeply and allowing your chest to expand.
7. Savasana (Final Relaxation) - 5 to 10 minutes
Ending your practice back in Savasana allows your body to fully relax, surrendering into the ground. Focus on your breath and the sensations in your body, allowing yourself to feel deeply rested and restored.
The hardest part is getting to your mat, continuing to show up for yourself with all the ‘things’ you have to do and accomplish today. My hope is that this restorative sequence helps to soften any sharp edges you may be feeling, and it is something you can return to again and again
I look forward to reading your silly and soulful challenge ideas in the comments below.
Thank you for continuing to show up here, your presence is very much appreciated.
It’s an absolute honour to share this time with you.Thank you.
❤️ Namaste Tracey Xx
Please feel free to share You Are Not Alone with loved ones and friends. I trust whoever needs to read my musings will find them as a source of inspiration and hope. They are all written from my heart and offer the opportunity to dive deeper into truth, authenticity and trust.
Moving Inward - Exercises designed to take with you onto your yoga mat or alternatively next time you go for a walk alone in nature. I hope the audio version helps with this ❤️
My Moving Inward invitation is a sweet, sweet friendly reminder to spend some precious ‘me time’ as often as possible. To take inspiration from my essays when you’re next on your mat and devote time to turning your gaze inwards, in order to cultivate a beautiful conscious conversation with your body, mind & emotions. As a way to connect with your spirit and heart song. Through this process we get to be who we really are, we get to practice listening and loving who we really are.
Oh, I love this! Yes to a playful challenge. We can all use a little less seriousness in our lives right now!
Yes to silliness, joy and fun! Here’s a ridiculous one: Stand in front of a mirror and make every ridiculous, twisted up face you can at yourself. And one other I actually do on a regular basis: Google bloopers /outtakes from my favorite funny shows.