How to Giggle

1. Take Life Less Seriously: The Giggly Philosophy

DON’T WASTE A MINUTE NOT BEING HAPPY. IF ONE WINDOW CLOSES, RUN TO THE NEXT WINDOW—OR BREAK DOWN A DOOR.

Find happiness. The core message is to navigate life's harshness by taking things less seriously and finding happiness. The book aims to share friendship, stories, opinions, and giggles. It's designed as an easy read, like a picture book with lists, for those with short attention spans.

Embrace challenges. Don't be afraid to face challenges, even if you feel unprepared or nervous. The authors, despite self-professed spelling and reading limitations, tackled writing a book. They encourage readers to embrace leisure reading as a "chic" activity.

Seek alternatives. If one path doesn't work, don't be afraid to pivot or create your own opportunities. This philosophy encourages resilience and proactive pursuit of joy, rather than passive acceptance of circumstances.

2. Humor & "Bits": The Glue of Friendship

Committing to a bit is one of the essential joys in life and truly the glue that keeps our friendship together.

Shared language. "Bits" are defined as inside jokes or phrases repeated often, creating a silly, secret language between friends. They help find humor in mundane existence and signify a shared sense of humor.

Navigate life. Humor is presented as a "secret sauce" to handle awkward situations, heated conversations, and general social anxiety. It helps friends bond and makes hard days more bearable.

Chase dreams. Viewing life as a series of "bits" can make chasing dreams less scary. Don't take yourself too seriously; failure, embarrassment, or judgment are just part of the bit, and your friends will find it hysterical.

3. Being Delusional is the Solulu: Believe in Your Dreams

Being delulu is the solulu.

Believe in yourself. Delusional means believing something untrue, but the authors argue that no one truly knows what's true, and everything is made up. Believing you can live your dreams, even when others doubt you, is the first step to success.

Create your reality. The combination of confidence, happiness, and positivity is a mindset that starts with your thoughts, which create your reality. Choose to be a "delulu icon" rather than bullying yourself.

Support others. Never be a buzzkill about a friend's delusions, as supporting their energy helps your own. Haters are often projecting their own insecurities and lack imagination.

4. Navigating Anxiety: Feel the Feelings, Find the Funny

Once you stop letting your anxiety control you, the world is your oyster and you don’t need to get a lobotomy (even though that does sound quite peaceful).

Anxiety is normal. Anxiety is a common, often inherited trait that doesn't define you. It can manifest physically and emotionally, sometimes feeling like a "toxic roommate" in your brain.

Coping mechanisms. Therapy helps understand and detach from negative voices. Talking to friends or family makes fears less scary. Medication like Prozac can also help manage symptoms.

Reframe and embrace. Learn to be compassionate to yourself and reframe situations. Finding the funny in bad experiences helps you stay afloat and fail forward. Embrace your emotions and challenge yourself, knowing that bravery is rewarded.

5. Decentering Men: Focus on Yourself First

Decentering men is our religion.

Shift perspective. Decentering men means not basing your decisions, happiness, or self-worth on male validation or attention. It's a constant practice to avoid betraying yourself and losing who you are.

Prioritize yourself. Focus on activities that benefit your mental and physical health and happiness, like work, hobbies, or spending time with friends. Men can enhance life but are not necessary for fulfillment.

Attract the right partner. By focusing on being true to yourself, you create space to learn what you really want and attract a partner who is right for you. Don't waste time being upset over a man's inattentiveness; find peace within yourself.

6. Friendship Red Flags: Choose Your Circle Wisely

If friends disappoint you over and over, that’s in large part your own fault.

Friendships evolve. It's normal to have different friends throughout life, and relationships serve as mirrors for self-discovery. Friend drama and heartbreaks contribute to developing a sense of humor.

Identify toxic traits. Be aware of red flags like friends who only show up during your downfall, those who make everything about themselves, overly demanding or "leechy" friends, or those who dislike other women. Also, avoid friends who don't appreciate your humor.

Value quality. Prioritize quality over quantity in friendships. A few reliable friends who truly get you are better than a large group where you feel lonely or treated badly. Don't be afraid to leave toxic dynamics.

7. Romantic Red Flags: What to Avoid in Men

When you first meet a guy, assume he’s trash and let him prove to you that he’s not.

Adjust your mindset. Instead of assuming a new man is perfect, start by assuming he's "trash" and make him earn your trust. This helps you see red flags clearly instead of making excuses.

Common red flags. Be wary of men who call themselves "good guys," are overly active on social media, declare feelings immediately, have friends who suck, follow hundreds of Instagram models, call women "females," hide their feelings, constantly talk about exes, or need a "babysitter."

Trust your gut. Don't let flattery blind you to potential issues. Focus on whether you actually like him and how he makes you feel. If he acts weird or disrespects you, don't hesitate to leave.

8. The Power of Laughter: It's Mouth Pilates

If we do the girl math, laughter is basically mouth Pilates.

Physical benefits. Laughter is scientifically proven to be good for you, increasing oxygen intake, stimulating organs, and releasing endorphins. Endorphins have pain-relieving properties and boost happiness.

Social connection. Laughter is a powerful form of nonverbal communication that conveys humor, helps bond with people, and creates understanding. True intimacy is found in laughing at the same time with someone.

Coping mechanism. Laughter can be used strategically to smooth over awkward situations and help cope with life's challenges. It's a healthy expression of joy and can even help process trauma.

9. Social Media: Post, But Don't Overthink It

As we all know, social media isn’t real, so we have to figure out how we want to portray ourselves on social media.

Curate your presence. Social media is a reality, but it's not real. Decide how you want to express yourself uniquely online. Don't let fear of judgment stop you from posting.

Tips for posting. Avoid crying on stories (keep private moments private) and over-editing photos (can lead to self-hate). Don't make your significant other your entire personality online.

Engage wisely. Don't leave mean comments; spread positivity instead. Use platforms like Instagram for flirting (follow, like photos, reply to stories). Authenticity attracts followers.

10. Pooping in Public: A Necessary Life Skill

Most of society pretends women don’t poop, so we have to pretend that all the Taco Bell we just ate evaporates into Santal 33 eau de parfum as it slowly gets released through our pores as we sweat.

It's normal. Despite societal pretense, women poop, and it's a common experience, even for "great minds." Don't be ashamed; it happens.

Situational strategies.

• Work: Be discreet, vary timing, avoid bathroom small talk.
• Bar: Locate the bathroom early, use noise/drunkenness as cover, flush during.
• Date: Go once, ideally before his place; lie about a line if needed.
• His apartment: Most challenging; use matches, turn on faucet, flush multiple times, or leave to find a public bathroom.

Don't hold it. Life is too short to hold in a poop. If someone acts weird about it, they're not your soulmate. Prioritize your comfort.

Last updated: May 5, 2025