When I first stepped onto my healing path, laughter felt impossible.
There was nothing funny about where I found myself. Emotionally, physically, spiritually I was exhausted. My life felt fragile. Every moment felt heavy. I was focused on survival, not joy.
So when I began seeking support from others who had walked similar roads, one thing surprised me.
They laughed.
Not in denial. Not in avoidance. Real laughter. Honest laughter. Healing laughter.
At first, I did not understand it. How could someone laugh about struggles, mistakes, pain, or dark seasons? But slowly I began to realize something powerful.
Laughter was not dismissing the pain.
It was proof they had moved through it.
And that realization gave me hope.
The Healing Power Of Humor
My mom has always said, “If I lose my sense of humor, I lose everything.”
She said it through illness, discomfort, uncertainty, and some very difficult seasons. Watching her hold onto humor even in pain showed me that laughter is not about circumstances. It is about resilience.
When I began my own recovery, I held onto that wisdom. The work ahead of me was serious. I had to face truths, take responsibility, and learn new ways of living. But I did not have to take myself so seriously all the time.
That distinction changed everything.
Humor did not erase the work. It helped me carry it.
And sometimes, laughter was the only light available in an otherwise heavy day.
When Laughter Becomes A Bridge
Something unexpected happened as my healing progressed.
I began laughing with others who had similar experiences.
We laughed about things that once felt devastating. Not because they were trivial, but because we had survived them. Laughter became a shared language of understanding. It created connection, compassion, and perspective.
There is something incredibly bonding about laughing with someone who truly understands your journey. It reminds you that you are not alone. It transforms isolation into community.
And that connection is powerful medicine.
Laughter does not isolate. It invites.
The Difference Between Healing Humor And Hiding Humor
I also had to learn an important distinction.
For years I had used humor as armor. I deflected serious conversations. I made jokes instead of admitting pain. I laughed things off rather than facing them.
That kind of humor keeps healing at a distance.
True healing laughter feels different. It comes from humility, acceptance, and growth. It does not belittle yourself or others. It does not minimize reality. It simply allows joy to exist alongside truth.
Once I understood that, laughter stopped being a shield and became a source of strength.
And that shift made all the difference.
Perspective Changes Everything
Looking back now, some of the choices I made during difficult periods honestly make me laugh.
At the time, I justified everything. I believed I was coping, surviving, protecting myself. But hindsight brings clarity. And sometimes, clarity brings humor.
Not mocking. Not shame.
Perspective.
Being able to laugh at past versions of myself means I have grown. It means I am no longer stuck there. It means healing happened.
And that is something worth smiling about.
Why Laughter Supports Mental And Emotional Health
There is actual science behind this too.
Laughter reduces stress hormones, increases endorphins, supports immune function, and improves emotional regulation. It relaxes the body, shifts perspective, and enhances connection with others.
But beyond biology, laughter signals something deeper.
Hope.
When you can laugh again, even gently, it often means healing has begun.
It means you are reconnecting with life.
And that is powerful.
Finding Light In Dark Seasons
There were days when finding humor felt impossible. Those days happen to everyone. Healing is not linear, and laughter does not mean everything is perfect.
Sometimes it just means you found one small moment of light.
One memory. One conversation. One silly observation. One unexpected smile.
And sometimes that small moment is enough to carry you forward.
Laughter does not deny hardship.
It coexists with it.
And often, it helps transform it.
SLAY Reflection
Let’s reflect, SLAYER:
S: When was the last time you laughed freely, and how did it make you feel afterward?
L: Do you ever use humor to hide how you really feel instead of expressing it honestly?
A: What difficult moment from your past can you now look at with compassion or even gentle humor?
Y: How could inviting more lightness into your life support your healing and emotional health right now?
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
How has laughter helped you heal, cope, or find perspective during a difficult season?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who could use a reminder that joy can exist alongside struggle, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.
