The Importance of being Silly
Two days on, and the divorce is starting to sink in. It feels like a lot to process — it is a lot to process. I woke up yesterday in what’s starting to feel like my baseline low mood, struggling once again to peel myself out of bed. But I made it out for a dog walk.
On that walk, I began truly appreciating the smaller moments — and how grateful I am for them. Firstly, I’m immensely grateful to be a dog owner. I have this bundle of enthusiastic fur to wake up to every morning, giving me purpose by forcing me out of bed and staring at me with those puppy dog eyes until I take her out.
That feels so valuable. Because once I’m out, I get the opportunity to appreciate the sun shimmering through the leaves, feel the warm breeze, and start to smile. We all need a reason to get out of bed — something that gives us purpose. I’m lucky that mine is a dog, and that she brings me into nature.
When I think about finding my authentic self — and the smaller things that build that authenticity — I realise being a dog owner is part of what shapes me as a person. I love the community that comes with it: the human interactions, the spontaneous chats, the friendships that form organically — often with people whose names you don’t even know, but you refer to them as “Dinky’s owner.” It’s actually a beautiful thing. It creates a sense of belonging, especially when you don’t feel like you belong in your own mind.
It’s safe to say that being a dog owner has been a survival strategy for me — my reason to get up during darker days. And it’s healing, too — reconnecting me to small joys. Yesterday, it helped my mindset so much that I was able to tackle more of the life admin I’d been procrastinating on for weeks. So much of it, in fact, that I feel like I’m almost functioning again.
I don’t think it was just the dog walk that lifted my mindset. I think it’s also the release of pressure that came with the divorce. Although I’m now legally divorced, there are still a couple of steps to finally sever ties — money to be paid to him and the release of the home order by him. Nearly there.
The other healing moment I had was remembering the importance of being silly. I was at a drag show yesterday, and nothing beats the silliness drag can bring into your life. I love drag. The Queens are incredibly talented, their joy is infectious, and they help the audience escape into this vibrant world where you’re encouraged to laugh loudly and have the most fun you can.
And isn’t that the whole point, really? To enjoy the moment we’re living in — to sing into the faces of your friends because the diva ballads demand it. To clap along, because the Queens' energy makes it automatic. To gasp at their flawless acrobatics and fully embrace the moment.
I loved it. Everyone in the room contributing to this electric energy. It was perfect — and the perfect reminder to be silly.
Because being silly is healing.
