Singerpreneur - Breaking out: 10 ways to unleash your silly self

A recent #quoteoftheweek has lingered with us, as creative remedies to overly serious tendencies seem to be everywhere, leaving folks feeling trapped by life’s daily realities. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or followed by a dark cumulus, one of these fun activities and resources may help pull you out of your own head so you can get back to your very creative business. Click on the images for affiliate links to tools for your next boost:

First, the obvious choice: Sipping anything with a silly straw makes the effort an event. Plus, they're cheap enough that they're shareable -- embrace the silly and pass it on!
Fuzz therapy: Pets are naturally silly as they lack the capacity for real embarrassment. Watch your cat play with a string or play a little fetch with your pooch, and it's amazing how quickly you can jolt your brain out of even a deep funk.
Shift creative gears: Changing disciplines for some unbridled fun can reveal things in your own work later. If you're a musician, try finger paints. Writer? Play a happy tune on the nearest keyboard. Sculptors might try a crazy, uninhibited dance to see what emerges.
Jump for joy: That moment's feeling of weightlessness is a powerful mood tonic. For a lower-impact alternative, try skipping through the park or diving into the pool.
Sweet memories: The bright colors and intense flavors of childhood candy are a boon to the senses. For about a buck and just a couple hundred calories, you can take yourself back to less complicated times with a lollipop or some sour gummies. (Just be sure to brush your teeth when you're done!)
Wear your silly on your sleeve: (...or at least under it). Monty Python fans know silly, and this Ministry of Silly Walks watch will keep you from taking life too seriously, wherever you are.
Try a new fashion statement. A simple change can give you a new lease on life, and it may be as basic as a set of offbeat shades or a hat with special flair. Wear it to lunch or wear it all day, for a lift that can get you back on track.
Get wet: It's hot! Summer is the perfect time to hit the local water park. Check local listings for hours, prices and to check out what they're doing to address drought concerns. (The water is recycled and filtered, so they use less than you might think.) Don't forget the sunscreen!
Change what's right in front of you: Adding a simple toy to your desk or workspace can remind you at a glance to slow down and enjoy life. It can also provide a moment's abstraction when needed. Keep an eye out for your favorite.
Set your face free: Making faces is the most basic of silly somethings, whether you practice with a friend or in a mirror. (It can also be a useful acting exercise.) Just don't let anyone slap you on the back when you look that way...