There’s no doubt that life is full of frustrations and disappointments. Nothing gets your blood boiling quite like bumper-to-bumper traffic, and don’t even get us started on waiting in long lines for what feels like an eternity. In those moments, it’s easy to sour the mood with negativity; it’s easy to feel like you’re the only person being affected by it. But, if you take a step back, you’ll realize that those moments are golden opportunities to have a great sense of humor about life.

Of course, there are some frustrations in life that go beyond the annoyance of traffic. It’s harder to lift the dark clouds in those moments, but it’s equally as important to have perspective and be able to laugh through the darkness.

How to Laugh When You Don’t Land a Job

You draft up a perfect cover letter, your résumé is sparkling, and you nailed the interview. You’re just waiting to hear back. When you’re feeling like banging your head against the wall in frustration, get as far away from whatever four walls confine you currently. Escape to the great outdoors and laugh at how silly it is to worry about what a potential boss thinks of you.

You’re more than what you do for work. You’re a whole and beautiful human being, and if you’ve done this whole “life” thing right, you’ve managed to surround yourself with amazing people. When you feel overwhelmed by career stress, just remember the people you love are your biggest fans, and their opinions matter more than those of someone you barely know.

How to Laugh When You’re Upset with Your Kids

After a long day, there’s nothing more frustrating to come home to than misbehaving kids. You were expecting to sit down and relax, place your kids on your knees, and regale them with fantastical bed stories? Fat chance! Life with kids is rarely so quiet and peaceful—unless you’re incredibly lucky, of course. But, for most mere mortals, getting upset with your kids is a common occurrence.

Instead of blowing a gasket when your four-year-old scribbles on the priceless artwork in the hallway with permanent marker, try seeing it as an opportunity to laugh at how ridiculous life can be sometimes. Your kids will only be young for a finite amount of time. Take that time to laugh with them; see the world through their eyes. Everything is funny and fascinating to a toddler, so soak up that positivity!

How to Laugh When You Just Feel Like Crying

Life has no shortage of moments where you just feel like crying and giving up. But, when life has you at your lowest, turn the other cheek, think of all the ways you’re blessed, and laugh at the absurdity of it all.

You won’t be down for long—especially if you manage to find the humor in your situation. It’s all about shifting your perspective and looking for those inevitable silver linings!