Call Me Silly!
There is a special kind of delight that comes with the bravery of silly -
the willingness to let go of outcomes or the illusion of “control”,
to be vulnerable to the experience of whimsy.
I received a writing prompt that has me musing.
It suggested that I draw a giraffe with my eyes closed.
Who would propose such a frivolous thing?
Surely there are other more important things to tend to right now?
“Just press delete and move on”, my bossy, in-charge self said,
“what is the point of doing something so silly?”
But then a rarely heard voice chimed in…
“ohhh!
grab the notepad…
then we can choose a colour,
bright and happy, what fun,
how about bigger markers on a flip chart?"
And while Tania-in-charge usually wins, this time there was no denying Tania-in-glee. Seeing as I had nowhere else to be, I found it impossible not to indulge.
So,
cautiously,
I closed my eyes,
and I did it.
One giraffe, drawn with eyes closed…
hmmm…
She is whimsical, funny, sweet.
Her spots are floating above her body like they’ve had an extra glass of champagne, her long legs seem to be dancing with different partners, her eyelashes float on the back of her head, like wings.
It is hard to draw a giraffe without looking - kind of like playing pin the tail on the donkey. The fun is when you take off the blindfold to giggle at how far off you were!
I then found myself drawing a second and a third,
and for each one, I smiled at the simplicity and the novelty of silliness.
Because I don’t do silly.
Not ever.
My experience of ‘silly’ is a dreaded admonishment received as a little girl.
“Don’t be silly” meant I was definitely in the wrong, too close to the edge, and the fun was about to end abruptly.
It seems that somewhere along the way "silly" coupled itself with shame, leaving me feeling caught unguarded, uncontrolled, vulnerable.
Open to criticism and subject to ridicule.
And yet here I am,
charmed by the whimsical invitation to draw a giraffe with my eyes closed.
I’m curious, if cautious.
So this week, I’ve been dipping my toe into silly… I’ve spent time daydreaming about having wings, I told stories to my cat in all kinds of character voices about the secrets of successful time travel, I pressed my cheek on the bark of my favourite tree which is in the middle of a huge park and in full view of everyone and told her I missed her, I had intentional “crazy hair” day - instead of trying to tame the mane on my head I just decided to wear it all wild on purpose to meetings, just’ cuz. (My husband took a picture he was so alarmed/bemused!).
I don’t quite have the hang of it yet, but at least I don’t run at the thought of it.
There is a special kind of delight that comes with the bravery of silly - the willingness to let go of outcomes or the illusion of “control” and to be vulnerable to the experience of whimsy. To simply delight in a nonsensical moment is to let go of the pretence of “performance” and step into the bubbling joy of just being.
No efficiencies, no purpose, no big outcome.
My learning? I can’t quite articulate it.
Except I feel lighter, more willing to not take myself so seriously.
More at ease, staying in my centre with a smile on my lips.
A little more effervescent and hopeful, with a recurring desire to draw a giraffe with my eyes closed.
Give it a try.
Come on.
You’ve got time; there is just no reason not to be silly.
Epiphany Designer & Life Coach
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You can access my personal calendar here to find a time slot that suits you.
And be sure to send us your Giraffes!
Check out @ClosedEyeGiraffe on Instagram if you need proof that this is a “thing”.
Here’s me with the real things at a Giraffe Sanctuary in South Africa - all kinds of silly!
