I’ll be honest with you—I don’t feel like laughing. Not today. Not lately.
When you’re buried in debt, laughter feels… impossible. There’s nothing funny about dodging calls from collectors, staring at a bank balance that’s barely breathing, or lying awake at 2 AM, wondering how you’re going to make it another month.
When people say, “Laughter is the best medicine,” it almost feels insulting. Like, sure, let me just chuckle my way through an overdue rent notice. That’ll fix everything, right?
Except… what if laughter doesn’t have to fix everything?
What if it could just make carrying the weight a little easier?
Debt Feels Heavy—Laughter Can Lighten It (Even Just for a Moment)
Debt has a way of stealing your joy. It makes every little thing feel like a burden—buying groceries, grabbing a coffee, even checking the mail. It tightens your chest. It makes you feel alone.
But here’s what I’ve learned: when you stop laughing, debt wins twice.
It already takes your money, your sleep, your sense of security. Are you really going to let it take your sense of humor too?
That’s what debt does—it tries to convince you that life is just one long, unfunny disaster. That you have no right to smile or enjoy a moment because, How dare you? You still owe money.
But here’s the truth: You don’t have to be debt-free to deserve joy.
My Rock Bottom Moment (And How I Accidentally Laughed Anyway)
There was a day when I felt completely defeated. I was sitting at my kitchen table, drowning in bills, trying to decide which one I could afford to not pay that month.
I grabbed a calculator to crunch some numbers, hoping—praying—that maybe I had miscalculated something. I started punching in numbers, staring at the screen, waiting for it to magically tell me I wasn’t as broke as I felt.
Then I realized… I was holding the remote control.
I had been frantically mashing buttons on the TV remote, wondering why my “calculator” wasn’t responding.
And that’s when I lost it.
I just sat there, surrounded by overdue bills, laughing at myself—at how exhausted, burned out, and ridiculous I had become. It wasn’t haha funny—it was I-can’t-believe-this-is-my-life funny. But for a second, the weight lifted.
Because sometimes, life hands you a moment so absurd, you either cry or laugh. And laughing feels better.
What Does Laughter Do for You in Hard Times?
I know what you’re thinking. “That’s great, but laughing won’t pay my bills.”
You’re right. Laughter won’t erase debt.
But what does laughter do to the brain? It lowers stress hormones, releases endorphins, and literally resets your nervous system. It’s like your brain’s emergency “off switch” when panic sets in.
How does laughter reduce stress? It stops the spiral. It reminds your body that not everything is a threat. Even if it’s just for a moment, it makes the weight feel a little lighter.
And when the weight feels lighter, you think clearer. You problem-solve better. You remember that you are still a person, not just a walking debt balance.
How to Find Humor When You Feel Like There’s Nothing to Laugh About
If you’re deep in it right now—if laughter feels like the last thing on your mind—trust me, I get it. But just try one of these:
1. Steal Someone Else’s Laughter
Watch a dumb video. Listen to a comedian talk about their worst financial decisions (trust me, there are plenty). Let someone else’s laughter remind you that yours isn’t gone forever—it’s just napping.
2. Laugh at the Absurdity of It All
Sometimes, you have to just step back and say, “Wow, my life is a financial dumpster fire right now.” And then? Laugh at the ridiculousness of it. Not because it’s funny, but because laughing robs debt of its power over you.
3. Keep a Go-To Emergency Joke
Here’s one for you:
Murphy’s Law says whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. But Murphy was an optimist.
Do You Have a Question You'd Like Help With? Contact Debt Coach Damon Day. Click here to reach Damon.
Because let’s be honest—sometimes, it’s worse than we expect.
Final Thoughts: Debt Can Steal a Lot—But Don’t Let It Take Your Joy
You don’t have to have it all figured out to let yourself laugh. You don’t have to be debt-free to deserve moments of joy.
Laughter doesn’t mean your situation isn’t serious—it just means you’re still alive. And as long as you’re still here, there’s still a way forward.
If you’re struggling right now, I see you. You’re not alone. And if this message helped even a little, send it to someone who needs it.
And hey—drop a comment below: What’s a ridiculous “I can’t believe this is my life” moment you’ve had while dealing with debt? Let’s laugh through this together.
Read the latest information and statistics on why laughter is essential.
