About this quote

Holding onto dignity can feel like self-control, but it often shuts down the little moments that make life livable. Pride keeps you polite and distant while happiness asks you to look ridiculous sometimes. Who are you protecting by staying composed? Try loosening one rule today — laugh at your own misstep, say the silly thing, or join the dance — and notice how that small choice changes the room.

When to use it

• At the office holiday party, my tie got stuck and I started laughing instead of pretending it didn't happen — I thought, 'I'd rather be happy than dignified.'
• During my mom's dinner when the baby sneezed on my shirt, I shrugged and laughed and said, 'I'd rather be happy than dignified,' instead of hiding it.
• On the hospital ward after chemo, I made a ridiculous face to make my friend laugh and reminded myself, 'I'd rather be happy than dignified.'
• After missing the final free throw in a pickup game, I smiled at my teammates and said, 'I'd rather be happy than dignified,' then we all laughed it off.