The Power of Being Silly! (November 2024)
I had an experience a few years ago that helped me notice something important about myself.
I was at a Zoom Meeting and saw that on camera it looked like I was wearing a plain beige sweater. However below the camera view, this particular sweater had a bright rainbow stripe across the chest and arms. I remember thinking, I can play with this.
So for the rest of the day on my zoom calls (since I work remotely, it was a lot of calls), I would start off the meeting saying hello, seeming serious, and then I would raise my hands, lift up my chest and say “surprise”.
People on the call would laugh and then I would say, “you thought this was going to be a serious call, but we are going to have some fun”.
Now, me surprising them with my rainbow sweater did not change our agenda, it just changed the energy. I saw that when I was willing to lean in and play, others relaxed in response to my silliness.
Here is what being silly and playful tells me about me:
When I am silly, I feel more spacious.
When I have more space, I connect deeply with others.
When I connect deeply with others, it feeds my curiosity.
When I am curious, I am more creative.
When I am creative, I am happier.
So if I know that being silly and playful is good for me and others, and yet for many hours a day I work in corporate settings where being serious and knowing things is valued, how do I strike the right balance?
I am practicing this balance by being a Talent Strategist, Executive Coach, and kids yoga teacher at the same time.
The Talent Strategy and Coaching work I have done for years.
Teaching yoga to little kids is new to me, so I get to practice being a beginner again.
I have chosen to spend 2 hours of my week, teaching 4, 30 minute yoga classes to kids ranging from 2-5 years old. I chose to teach this age group, because teaching them is about being silly. I sing, make up stories, and have to pivot, go with the flow and create on the fly in each class.
And these kids are teaching me. They are reminding me how to be present, hopeful and just enjoy playing for playing sake. They love to learn new things and thrive when they can be silly and sing - it is just who they are.
I get to see the little girl in me, mirrored back to me, by these children. And I leave each class feeling more spacious and hopeful.
Because I have carved out this space for silliness and play, I have noticed that I bring more spaciousness, curiosity and creativity into my Coaching and Strategy work. A win win for all.
So as we move into the Holiday Season, a time that I have found to be very stressful as an adult, I invite you to be curious.
When do you notice you are spacious and happy?
What is your way of being that makes you feel great?
How can you allow yourself to practice it?
Can the little kid in you help you play more?
Sending you silly playfulness today!
Bridgette