By BR Kellie
“Turn that frown upside down.”
“Cheer up, it might never happen.”
“Smile, the world’s not that bad.”
Sigh.
If I had a dollar for every single time someone said one of the above sentences to me I’d be living on my own private tropical island, sitting under the shade of a cabana, drinking endless cocktails, watching my pool boy (aka The Husband) prep the pool for my daily dip, while the nannies fussed over the blessed child. While not one for resting bit-car face (Buffy reference, boom!), I do have a touch of resting sad face. I used to have a whole lot of resting sad face, until a woman I met showed me how to look less miserable by lifting the edges of my lips a little. Not into a full on smile, more like that Mona Lisa look.
But you know what? I think there are five definite upsides to being born with resting sad face, and it was about time we talked about them.
Less wrinkles. If you’re smiling you’re wrinkling your face. If you’re scowling, you’re wrinkling your face. If you’re staring into space not moving a muscle, even if you look sad, you’re also not wrinkling your face. Instant youth my friends.
If you have resting sad face most people will leave you alone. Who wants to be sucked into a vortex of misery? Few people I imagine. Usually when you’re staring into space dreaming of chocolate, or makeup, or your next hit of coffee, people will think you’re clearly miserable, that you need your space and will then give it to you – leaving you more time to daydream. The only people who won’t tend to leave you alone will be the smarty-pants who think it’s funny to tell you to cheer up. It’s not. I’m cheered already. I’m thinking about buying another Lancôme Juicy Shaker. Life is good.
On the upside… you might get extra cuddles. Hopefully not from strangers, because that’s unnecessary and a touch odd. But from friends. ‘You look like you need a hug.’ ‘Oh, ok, go on then.’ Yep, I’m a hug tart. Come at me and my resting sad face with your cuddleliciousness.
When you do actually smile at someone you make them feel amazing, because clearly they did something to make you stop looking so sad. They didn’t. But they don’t know that. It’s a win/win really. They adore you more for making them feel good at their amazing cheering-up prowess. You get to feel good about making them feel good. Smiles, or not, all round.
You’re in good company. My third - or maybe fourth - husband (depending on where Keanu’s hair is at) suffers resting sad face. Yep, the incredibly gorgeous Kit Harington has a case of resting sad face – and he knows it, and accepts it. Kind of makes me wish I’d never learnt the Mona Lisa Smile trick, because you know, then one day we’d have seen each other’s resting sad faces and then felt a soul connection and well, we’d have a beautiful life staring at each other’s sad faces, knowing in fact we were deliriously happy. … Or not. Ah well, one can dream, with a sad look that’s not sad at all upon one’s face.
So are you a member of the resting sad face club? Have you spent your life being told to cheer up when you’re already feeling as cheery as a box of fluffy ducks? Have you discovered any further benefits to looking perma-sad? Share away!
Images: Pinterest
By BR Kellie
“Turn that frown upside down.”
“Cheer up, it might never happen.”
“Smile, the world’s not that bad.”
Sigh.
If I had a dollar for every single time someone said one of the above sentences to me I’d be living on my own private tropical island, sitting under the shade of a cabana, drinking endless cocktails, watching my pool boy (aka The Husband) prep the pool for my daily dip, while the nannies fussed over the blessed child. While not one for resting bit-car face (Buffy reference, boom!), I do have a touch of resting sad face. I used to have a whole lot of resting sad face, until a woman I met showed me how to look less miserable by lifting the edges of my lips a little. Not into a full on smile, more like that Mona Lisa look.
But you know what? I think there are five definite upsides to being born with resting sad face, and it was about time we talked about them.
Less wrinkles. If you’re smiling you’re wrinkling your face. If you’re scowling, you’re wrinkling your face. If you’re staring into space not moving a muscle, even if you look sad, you’re also not wrinkling your face. Instant youth my friends.
If you have resting sad face most people will leave you alone. Who wants to be sucked into a vortex of misery? Few people I imagine. Usually when you’re staring into space dreaming of chocolate, or makeup, or your next hit of coffee, people will think you’re clearly miserable, that you need your space and will then give it to you – leaving you more time to daydream. The only people who won’t tend to leave you alone will be the smarty-pants who think it’s funny to tell you to cheer up. It’s not. I’m cheered already. I’m thinking about buying another Lancôme Juicy Shaker. Life is good.
On the upside… you might get extra cuddles. Hopefully not from strangers, because that’s unnecessary and a touch odd. But from friends. ‘You look like you need a hug.’ ‘Oh, ok, go on then.’ Yep, I’m a hug tart. Come at me and my resting sad face with your cuddleliciousness.
When you do actually smile at someone you make them feel amazing, because clearly they did something to make you stop looking so sad. They didn’t. But they don’t know that. It’s a win/win really. They adore you more for making them feel good at their amazing cheering-up prowess. You get to feel good about making them feel good. Smiles, or not, all round.
You’re in good company. My third - or maybe fourth - husband (depending on where Keanu’s hair is at) suffers resting sad face. Yep, the incredibly gorgeous Kit Harington has a case of resting sad face – and he knows (http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kit-harington-knows-he-has-resting-sad-face-promises-he-is-okay-2014212) it, and accepts it. Kind of makes me wish I’d never learnt the Mona Lisa Smile trick, because you know, then one day we’d have seen each other’s resting sad faces and then felt a soul connection and well, we’d have a beautiful life staring at each other’s sad faces, knowing in fact we were deliriously happy. … Or not. Ah well, one can dream, with a sad look that’s not sad at all upon one’s face.
So are you a member of the resting sad face club? Have you spent your life being told to cheer up when you’re already feeling as cheery as a box of fluffy ducks? Have you discovered any further benefits to looking perma-sad? Share away!
Images: Pinterest
I often get accused of having resting sad face! It's because of my how my eyes are so expressive and big. I guess it's true for me anyway that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I know a few people who also have resting sad face although we call it something else lol I think it's actually a great talent to have.