I’m funny. No, seriously, I’m a funny person. I may come off as serious and deep, which I am, but I’m also a funny character.

I’ve made funny comments to people, like a cashier, for example, who either didn’t get my humor or didn’t compute it because they were off somewhere else in their head.

I like to laugh. I believe it’s good for the soul and mind. It makes us feel better, mentally and physically.

You can’t force being funny, but we could tap into the Elf in us that doesn’t care what other people think.  If you think about the Elf character, played by Will Ferrell, he does not give a hoot what anyone else thinks. Much of that came from Will Ferrell, who tapped into his child’s mind and was free to be authentic.  The movie showed Elf as genuinely nice and wanting people to see the good.

Why do we lose our authentic ELF selves? Because that’s what we do when we’re unhappy in our lives, do things we don’t want to just to please someone else, or act out of fear.  Our authentic selves are silly and love the skin we’re in.  Being authentic is freeing! You can let go and not care what anyone else thinks.

Just recently, I addressed this issue of me thinking for other people. That’s when I think people care about how I dress or walk or if there are weeds in the yard. I’ve actually spent my mental energy worrying that people are making judgments about me. Wow! When I think about it wide awake, I am in awe that it took me this long to overcome this cognitive distortion.  But, thankfully, I am getting over it.

Here’s an article with valuable tips on stopping worrying about being judged.

I didn’t start writing a blog sooner and sharing it because of fear of being judged. Now I’m out there, baring it all, and okay. I survived the panic feelings, thinking of all the judgment people would place upon me after reading my words. I know now it’s Poppycock. I also know that we have to process things in our way, so I’m not judging myself for taking so long to get here.

If you’re wondering if you still have an Elf in you, recall a happy memory from childhood when you didn’t care what others thought about you. You were free to do and think what you wanted without fearing other people’s thoughts. That’s your Elf!

When my daughter was young, I was myself with her. The thought of being judged didn’t enter my mind. I wasn’t afraid to be silly and bring out my Elf with her. I think she loved it. But then I had to take on a serious, guarded role when she got older, and then Mom was just weird. I struggled to embrace my Elf for a long time because I worried about what other people thought of me.

Whatever makes you smile, happy, and content is your Elf at work. Tap into that free feeling you had as a kid if you ever feel yourself thinking about judgment. If you want to wear that shirt with those pants because you like it, wear it!

And if someone says something hurtful about it, remember who is wearing the clothes and that your opinion is what’s important.  Respond, “That’s okay. I like it.”  It’s that simple. The little Elf looks in the mirror and loves the outfit. Hopefully, the older we get, the more we’re okay to bring out the Elf in us.

There are a few things I’ve found helpful to bring out of the Elf.

 

1. Think  – it’s okay to be me. I’m pretty neat and like who I am.

2. We can do what makes us happy. This is America! (hopefully, it’s not illegal or unethical)

3. Fun is good for our well-being. Make the time to have some.

4. See the good and ignore the bad. (For example, in a garden, you can see the plants or the weeds.)

5. We can only know how we think or feel and are not mind readers. (Unless you’re a mind reader. Then that’s cool!)

Let’s get softer on ourselves and think nicer thoughts (like what you’d say to your younger self or a friend). You will be surprised at how things will change in your life for the better. And when you talk about yourself, please do it positively! It doesn’t make you conceited or a jerk to say nice things about yourself. You know the line when it becomes obnoxious.

Thank you for reading this. I want to share good thoughts that make us think and evolve into pretty spectacular people!

To your Elf,

Francesca