How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously

by Hannah Berner

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

But if the commitment of reading an entire book is making you anxious, don’t worry; it’s basically a picture book with a bunch of lists.

This book is about how two lost souls have found some happiness and success in this harsh world by taking life less seriously. We want to share with you our friendship, stories, strong opinions, secrets, and, of course, lots of giggles.

COMEDY IS AN ESCAPE, NOT FROM TRUTH BUT FROM DESPAIR. —Christopher Fry

DOUBT KILLS MORE DREAMS THAN FAILURE EVER WILL. —Suzy Kassem

Through trial and error we figured out that no one knows what is true or not true and everything is made up. Seriously, no one really knows what they are doing, and we are all flailing. Once you understand that, you can start to take over the world. Being delulu is the solulu.

I also would argue that instead of calling ourselves delusional, we can call ourselves brave. Every time I’ve bet on myself and done something that scared me, I’ve always grown. I truly believe that the universe rewards you for being brave.

YOU MANIFEST WHAT YOU BELIEVE, NOT WHAT YOU WANT. —Sonia Ricotti

IF YOU CAN DANCE AND BE FREE AND NOT BE EMBARRASSED YOU CAN RULE THE WORLD. —Amy Poehler

ALWAYS BE A FIRST-RATE VERSION OF YOURSELF, INSTEAD OF A SECOND-RATE VERSION OF SOMEBODY ELSE. —Judy Garland

IMPERFECTION IS BEAUTY, MADNESS IS GENIUS, AND IT’S BETTER TO BE ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAN ABSOLUTELY BORING. —Marilyn Monroe

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER HAD, YOU MUST BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE. —Thomas Jefferson

SOME WOMEN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW MEN, AND SOME CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS. IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHICH WAY TO GO, REMEMBER THAT YOUR CAREER WILL NEVER WAKE UP AND TELL YOU THAT IT DOESN’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE. —Lady Gaga

IF FRIENDS DISAPPOINT YOU OVER AND OVER, THAT’S IN LARGE PART YOUR OWN FAULT. —Oprah Winfrey

’TIS THE PRIVILEGE OF FRIENDSHIP TO TALK NONSENSE AND TO HAVE HER NONSENSE RESPECTED. —Charles Lamb

SOME THINGS BREAK YOUR HEART BUT FIX YOUR VISION. —Steve Maraboli

IF YOU DON’T LAUGH DURING SEX AT LEAST ONCE, YOU’RE HAVING SEX WITH THE WRONG PERSON. —Anonymous

WHAT YOU SEEK IS SEEKING YOU. —Rūmī

IT’S NOT EASY BEING A MOM. IF IT WERE EASY, FATHERS WOULD DO IT. —Betty White

IT IS BETTER TO TRAVEL WELL THAN TO ARRIVE. —Buddha

A LIST OF OUR BITS

We hope they help you calm your social anxiety and be the funniest person in the room!

ALLEGEDLY

This is one of our all-time favorite bits. It allows us to tell you the most out-of-pocket, craziest, most exaggerated gossip and if three seconds after wrapping it up we say “allegedly,” just know that it was a theatrical performance for our entertainment.

APPARENTLY

CAPITALISM WINS AGAIN.

We live in an economic and political system in which our country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, and it’s not our fault that we spent all our money.

DECENTERING MEN FROM OUR LIVES

Do not let men distract you from being your true self or from focusing on your career! Don’t let them bring you down while you’re on your way up!

Why isn’t your husband in your wedding photos? HANNAH: I’m decentering men from my life.

GET MY AFFAIRS IN ORDER

refers to organizing one’s personal and financial matters, such as creating a will, identifying an executor or trustee, and arranging for end-of-life care, including management of health care and personal financial and business matters, if necessary.

GIRD YOUR LOINS.

According to the Bible, it means you need to prepare for battle by pulling up your robe and tying it around your waist so you can move with ease, fight, run, and ride your horse comfortably. We enjoy saying this right before we lay some superhot gossip in the group chat.

I APOLOGIZE TO THE ACADEMY.

You are very sorry for your actions.

I (WE, THEY) CAN’T BE MANAGED.

No matter the rules, laws, parenting, grammar, or social norms, we go astray. This behavior is not usually malicious; we just can’t get our act together, most of the time. People who can’t be managed live their lives to the beat of their own drummer, as they say.

I DON’T DO ADMIN.

The inability to complete a simple, administrative task. Everything and anything can be admin if it requires more than one step, memory, or talking to strangers. Cleaning, packing, making plans, opening mail or packages, laundry, paperwork, paying your taxes. Life is so hard.

Did you call 911 when Des thought he was having a heart attack? HANNAH: I don’t do admin.

IF I HAD A NICKEL.

Use this bit to talk about things that happen extremely often or to talk ironically about things that rarely happen. We like to use it for the exact opposite: it really throws people off and has them essentially questioning everything about you.

I WAS READING THE NEW YORK TIMES.…

Doomscrolling TikTok for several hours and having never read the New York Times.

I was reading the New York Times and it said that the aesthetic of the season is electric grandpa.

I WISH THEM WELL.

You do not wish them well.

MY LOVE

When you don’t know what to call another girlie but you are obsessed with her and want to make sure she loves you back.