It's a shame more of us aren't taught to recognize and tune in to joy. Silliness too. Instead we are guided into pseudo-emotions like "duty" or "obligation" or "responsibility" - not emotions at all, so they are emotion-nutrition empty: neutral, not positive or negative, not even a sense of satisfaction of meeting the expectation of a high standard of those objectives.
Some people are so "other-oriented" (or as I learned it - outwardly considering) that we get sucked into the people-pleasing trap where we don't take ownership of our inner emotional state - it's dependent on all those outside of us. Too much inner considering is the other extreme on that yardstick - and is self-limiting and self-isolating.
The FOO and societal pressure to conform are the rules of the interaction "game" which some of us just aren't predisposed to play. We might enjoy it as a diversion from time to time - but it's not required for inner well-being. I get to be 70 this year - so NO.MORE.RULES - is my motto. My north star. I've already accumulated all the standard behaviors to be able to navigate among people in the outside world enough to not attract attention or stand out like some ancient mad fairy. But the madness and happiness is just below the camoflauge and will peek out unbidden, when called forth by a kindred spirit or someone in despair.
FLY, BE FREE.
