For all the "class clowns" in life

[ChosenofMystra]

You know who you are. The "wise guys" the "smart-asses" the "class clowns" the people that always brighten up the days of others by having a witty quip at the ready. Do you ever get the feeling that society expects you to be upbeat and jovial constantly? I've always been the jester and smart alec that doesn't take that serious of an approach to life; always trying to make others laugh (guess that comes naturally with having a love of tickling thiough huh 🙂 )

But lately, I haven't been feeling anything like myself. I'm extremely depressed half the time topped off with a healthy scoop of apathy. I don't know what's wrong; but when I've tried discussing it with friends/family they dismiss it as trivial and can't seem to understand why I'm not cracking jokes and sardonic remarks.

Anyone else ever feel this way? And my apologies if this thread seems self-serving; I assure you that is not my cause.

 

[cloudgazer2k]

friend, i'm sure you've noticed by now that many TMF'ers are quite jovial and have a great sense of humor. and, as you may have noticed, many of us have different issues, be they physical or mental, that we all deal with together. with the time i've spent socializing here and off-line, i've learned that, in many cases, some of the wittier, funnier people tend to have a bit of depression to combat, and sometimes it's difficult to hide, supress or what have you. speaking solely for myself, i deal with similar bouts af the blahs more often than i care to think about, but i still try to make sure those around me are still upbeat and happy.
sometimes people who spend alot of time helping others feel happy rarely ever take the time away from it to make sure they're happy.

 

[David.s]

I've had some similar experiences (not that I'm some huge funny guy - especially not in my online guise - although I was still voted class clown, heh) and have suffered from quite a bit of depression in the past (yes, the real kind, not just good ol' teenage angst!) and the only thing I could really recommend is a visit to the doctor. Annoyingly they tend to prove a lot more help than supposed friends at relieving the stress. When I'm depressed I don't really stop seeing the funny side of things though, it's just I completely lose the will power to bother to actually communicate properly with people and say anything amusing. And then I usually feel worse and get frustrated listening to all the incredibly boring and lazy jokes everyone else comes out with instead of me, lol. It's certainly not fun listening to people complain when you're not really up for talking as if you're obligated to make them laugh at will. Chin up anyway!

 

[steph]

true story

Class clown here, voted at 3 different high schools!

But yes, it does come with a dark side, like everything else. I hated that I wasn't ever allowed to have a "bad day" like my normal friends. And the label haunted me for the longest~God forbid any of the friends ever caught ya crying, something I've always done a lot of, it keeps me sane. People would use it against me in a sense, to try and control my behavior. "WHAT? YOU can't be sad, come on, you're CLASS CLOWN!" It was fun most of the time but some days it really sucked. For the longest I got the feeling people only wanted me around if I could make them laugh and even though I always had a million friends, there were/are sometimes when it just felt...really lonely.
XOXO

 

[tickles]

the downs

...I would like to add a few suggestions that help me when I lose my perspective....the thing about solutions...they are as individual as we are....I had to ask myself what is it about my situation , at that time that ,,had me bugged...I realised that it wasn't the particulars but the fact that I felt I had no control over something....like my relationships or the way others perceived me......When I get really frustrated and overwhelmed....I take ACTION....I just think about what would make this better for me......how can I assume some control over my feelings...and then I do it!....even if it is out my comfort zone......For me as an individual....just the fact that I am doing "something" empowers me and clears my head...I gain some momentum......but you have to be honest with YOURSELF about what the real issues are.....decide what you realistically CAN do...then go for it!....more power to you...

 

[ChosenofMystra]

Thanks all for the replies; put a lot of things in perspective it did.

*sigh* I guess the thing I have to do is pry myself out of that deep indent on the couch and do something productive 😀

 

[maniactickler]

Former class clown here. i feel no pressure to cheer people up.

 

[Moses25]

I've always been the class clown with atypical motivation(s). My antics and "cracking wise" was never for attention, nor was it a feeble attempt on my part to get the class to like me...it was always done to relieve the fear I've always felt inside myself. Now that the fear has subsided as I've matured, I no longer feel the need to "act out" when in large groups.

It is true, however, that I will be funny in a one-on-one relationship or if I'm meeting someone for the first time. This is my vain attempt to get someone to like me or to sustain a relationship. As I'm growing older now, I do realize that there are more productive/conducive ways to sustain a relationship and get people to like you, and so I put those into practice as well. However, my sense of humour will always be with me...it's part of my personality and what makes me unique against the backdrop of a serious and sober Canadian society.

<--- an angry Canadian

<--- a happy Canadian

Getting the picture?

Alright, it's not as bad as all that, but you get the idea...

Great thread, btw. Cheers. 🙂

 

[Illtcklu]

Class clown?! Don't know if I ever was! But down days are a part of life, however if you seem to always be down for no apparent reason then maybe you need to explore this further it could be depression!

 

[Cave In]

Class clown definatly described me, and now i'm the work clown so to speak. I know exactly what you mean though. I'm always cracking jokes and making stupid remarks but sometimes i've got other stuff on my mind other than coming away with jokes, and i get interrogated about why i'm suddenly in a bad mood and unhappy. But its just very difficult to be cracking jokes and being a funny man 24/7....

I don't like seeing people upset so i try and cheer them up but because i do this i think i tend to forget about myself sometimes, so i tend to go on downers now and then

 

[911]

I was never a class clown but I've been able to make people laugh in intimid settings. The reason I do is not neccessarly to cheer other up but that is a good thing. I just see life as a joke sometimes so I point out strange things, think of strange things, and use humor as a tool to help fight my own depression or insecurities.

 

[LEE_LACH]

Well...

I WAS voted class clown three years in a row, but that's not what we're talking about.

You should take life easier and do something productive, as you said. I mean, NEVER EVER sit on the couch and moan about your depressing life, it only brings more and more depression into your life, which sucks. As a member of the TMF, it's my job to see that every member and person I know would walk with a big smile on they're faces, so c'mon buddy, let's turn that big frown upside down, okay? C'mon, you know you want to

 

[drew70]

After two weeks of Kindergarten, my teacher contacted my parents and said "Drew is a class clown." And I kept it up throughout gradeschool, the military, and Corporate America. Been this way too long to change, assuming anybody could convince me to try. And having this history, I can vouch with certainty for the immortal words of the legendary Smokey Robinson...

Well they're some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than
The tears of a clown when there's noone around​

I don't have much advice to offer accept to do your best to hang onto your humor even through the tough times. It's been a life line for me more than once.

 

[ChosenofMystra]

Thanks again to everyone that replied. I will certainly take that advice in good stead, but I think I'm doing much better now. It takes more than a small bout of depression to keep me down for long 😀

 

[chicago]

My friends might describe me as a class clown or a smart ass or something, and I do like to make people laugh. It makes me feel good when I say something other people think is funny, but I try not to fool myself. If I am really upset, I'm not going to force myself to pretend. However, a lot of the time, I still try to be funny because I find in the end it usually cheers me up.

 

[alchemy]

I've been a class clown now and again.
...either that or second banana. You know, if the main one is absent that day, second banana will fill in.