Try A Little Levity in 2021

My big word for 2021 is levity.

Ugh, I know, a ‘big word’ for the year, how distinctly unoriginal and yet, when it’s levity then I’m free to joke about it, so there’s that.

A quick definition: Levity: lightness of mind, character, or behavior

2020 sucked for so many reasons, but what got the family and I through it all was to find moments of laughter despite the seriousness of the situation.

Of course we took our responsibilities with regards to hygiene and rule following seriously, but we also found time to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all — as well as laughing at the things that would otherwise cause us stress.

Like going to the dentist to have a tooth fixed and coming out with six fillings.

Like having to sanitise our hands in a busy shopping centre where
no-one was wearing a mask.

Like delivering a speech to a US audience in the small hours of the morning, with a mouse running around my feet.

Like going on holiday without my wallet…

Similarly with my work. The vast majority of my delivery last year was virtual and, for many of the people that I worked with, it was their first experience of virtual learning. So I started with laughter. Recognising the scepticism in the virtual rooms, the strangeness of it all, whilst also acknowledging the good and calling out the things that wouldn’t be missed (wasteful food at buffets for one!).

There will always be stress in our lives and 2021 will be no different, but bringing levity to these situations will not only help you to deal with what’s in front of you right now, but will also bring light to others too.

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