Embrace Being Laughed At

Let Them Laugh: Turning Ridicule into Resilience

Have you ever been laughed at? Of course, you have. We all have. I remember being laughed at in school—weren’t we all? And if we’re being honest, in moments of innocence (or maybe peer pressure), we may have laughed at others too. It’s not the best-case scenario, but it doesn’t have to be the worst-case scenario either.

The fear of being laughed at is overrated. Sure, no one enjoys feeling embarrassed, but it happens to the best of us. Sometimes, the person laughing at you just thought it was funny—and that’s okay. But sometimes, that laughter can be very telling. It can expose someone’s desire to see you ridiculed, to make you feel small. That’s when you have to be mindful. Always mind your "p’s" and "q’s"—one turns forward, the other backward. Choose forward.

Being laughed at doesn’t stop you from succeeding. If anything, it pushes you past the fear of ridicule so you can keep moving toward your goals. Think about it—some of the most successful people in history have been laughed at. Oprah was told she wasn’t fit for television. Even Albert Einstein was ridiculed as a child for struggling in school. Yet, they all pushed forward, past the doubt, past the laughter.

One of my favorite examples today is Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket. She faces constant challenges, criticism, and yes—ridicule. But does she let it stop her? No. She keeps moving forward with resilience, intelligence, and undeniable strength. She recently gave a powerful “clapback” during a heated exchange in sessions, showing that she’s not afraid to stand her ground. That’s the energy we need to embrace.

Reframing Ridicule: Turning Laughter into Fuel

1. Recognize the Intent – Not all laughter is meant to hurt. Sometimes people laugh because they find something funny, not because they want to tear you down. But if their laughter is meant to humiliate, that says more about them than about you.

2. Stay in Control – You don’t have to return harshness with harshness. A well-placed response can nip undesirable behavior in the bud while allowing you to keep pushing forward.

3. Own Your Story – When you stop fearing laughter, you take away its power. Successful people have been laughed at and still thrived. Why not you?

4. Keep Moving Forward – The goal is not to prove everyone wrong; it’s to accomplish what you set out to do despite the laughter.

Your Turn: Share Your Story

Have you ever been laughed at for trying something new, speaking your truth, or standing up for yourself? How did you handle it? Drop your story in the comments—I’d love to hear how you pushed forward despite the laughter. Let’s learn from each other and grow together.

So if they laugh, let them. Because while they’re busy laughing, you’re busy becoming. While they are laughing, we are growing! Keep moving forward. Push! Don’t quit!