At some point in elementary school, the feeling of embarrassment starts to creep in . A lesson I want to leave my kids with is life is more fun when you shake off the feeling of embarrassment and actually let yourself have fun.
It sounds obvious, but it’s not always easy. Sometimes we hold ourselves back. We worry about fitting in, about what people think, about looking silly. But here’s the truth: no one remembers who looked cool sitting on the sidelines. What we remember are the moments when we joined in. When we laughed so hard our cheeks hurt. When we said yes to something unexpected.
That’s why I tell my kids: if you get the chance to dress up at school, do it. If you’re asked to be the mascot, say yes. If there’s a goofy game, a talent show, or a karaoke mic, go for it. Don’t sit it out because you’re worried about embarrassment. The people who are really your friends? They’ll cheer you on. And even better, they’ll probably be right there beside you, having fun too.
Another part of this lesson is just as important: don’t judge other people when they’re having fun. When you let yourself be silly, you start to realize how freeing it is to just let go. And when you know that feeling, it’s a lot harder to roll your eyes at someone else who’s dancing, singing, or just enjoying themselves in their own way. Instead, you start rooting for them.
Being willing to try new things yourself helps you see life differently. You stop scanning situations for what’s “weird” or “embarrassing” and start seeing opportunities for joy. You stop nitpicking people’s quirks and start appreciating their willingness to jump in. That shift from judgment to curiosity, from negativity to fun, changes the way you move through the world. It makes you lighter. It makes you kinder.
And this isn’t just for kids. Adults need this reminder, too. We waste so much energy worrying about appearances, keeping up with the Joneses, sitting around in gossip, or pretending we’re too serious for silliness. But fun doesn’t care about status or image. Fun just wants you to join in. To dance when there’s music. To jump in the pool even if your hair gets wet. To say yes when life hands you a memory-making moment.
So that’s the lesson this week: say yes to fun, and cheer for others when they do the same. Not because it makes you look good. But because it makes life better.
Because at the end of the day, no one regrets the times they laughed too much, dressed up too silly, or danced like nobody was watching. They regret the times they didn’t.
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