In This World | How "The Fool" Teaches Us to Walk Happily

July 24, 2026·6 min read

Stella

We are always being pushed forward by one pressure after another — the rat race at work, the tangle of relationships, the filters of social media. But did you know? In the tarot, the figure of The Fool stands right at the edge of a cliff. He carries a small bundle, holds a white rose, and smiles as he is about to take a brave step forward.

It is a picture of keeping hope alive amid uncertainty, and of finding joy in the "absurd."

1. The Spirit of The Fool: A Beginner's Mind, A Fresh Start

Today, let's look at this seemingly beautiful yet "absurd" world through the eyes of The Fool — and find happiness in it.

The Fool is a figure full of contradictions: foolish and wise at once, fragile and brave, ignorant and yet deeply knowing. In what Camus called an "absurd" world, The Fool seems to whisper a truth that turns common sense upside down — true happiness is not about avoiding risk, but embracing the unknown; not about having answers, but staying curious; not about achieving success, but enjoying the journey.

1.1 Stay Curious, Like a Child

When we were children, we were all fearless, carefree "little Fools" — unafraid of making mistakes or looking silly. Whatever we loved, we went after; whatever we felt, we said out loud; and even when we fell, we got back up laughing. But as we grew older, we were tamed by the rules of the world, held hostage by voices telling us to "be sensible," "be outstanding," "fit in." Slowly we became cautious and restrained, hiding our true selves and growing more exhausted with each passing year.

Yet in the world of The Fool, true maturity has never been about becoming worldly, smooth, and pleasing to everyone. It is about seeing life's complexity, weathering its storms, and still guarding the purity and passion in your heart. It is not about forcing yourself into the "perfect image" others expect, but about accepting your imperfections, being yourself, and letting go of inner struggle and overthinking. This is the most grounded, the happiest way to live.

1.2 The Psychology Behind The Fool's Wisdom

Some might say this kind of "carefree" happiness is too shallow. But in truth, The Fool's wisdom rests on solid psychological ground.

The reason we grow anxious and drained is often that we cling too tightly to the regrets of the past, forever thinking "if only I had chosen a different path"; or that we worry too much about an uncertain future, forever fearing "what if things don't turn out well." In doing so, we overlook every moment of the present and miss the beauty right in front of us.

The wisest, most clear-sighted thing about The Fool is his focus on what is right here, his presence in the now — exactly what psychology calls the state of "flow." When we pour ourselves fully into what we are doing, forgetting time and forgetting our troubles, no longer tangled in the past or anxious about the future, a sense of fulfillment and joy arises all on its own.

Psychology also offers another important insight: happiness is never something we chase down on purpose. It is a natural byproduct of doing things that feel meaningful and worthwhile. So don't fight yourself. There's no need to force yourself into things you dislike, or to bend yourself out of shape to please others. Follow your heart in the choices you make — without regret, without complaint, without draining yourself — and you will live with lightness and ease.

2. Letting Go of Inner Exhaustion: Finding Balance Between Hustle and Rest

If you want to live happily in this imperfect, even "absurd" world, it doesn't have to be complicated. Three core pieces of The Fool's wisdom can help you slowly release inner exhaustion:

Accept Imperfection with Clear Eyes: Accept your flaws, accept life's regrets. Stop fighting yourself, stop arguing with life. Allow everything to happen, and let your mind grow still.

The Wisdom of Letting Go: Don't insist on being right about everything, don't dwell on trivial little things. A spacious heart has fewer worries.

Choose with Courage: Don't fear the unknown, don't dread failure. Follow your intuition, and once you've chosen, let go of regret and complaint. Even if you walk slowly, you are still moving toward what you love.

Treat Work Like a "Game"

The Fool is a born adventurer — he treats every journey as a game. We, too, can bring a playful spirit to our work:

Create an "achievement system" for your tasks: finish a project and give yourself a small reward, like a good meal or a little gift. Form a "party of adventurers": team up with coworkers in a support group, vent together and grow together, turning colleagues into "allies" rather than "rivals." Open a "new dungeon" regularly: try a new task or skill each month to keep things fresh, like a new level in a game.

When you feel burned out, try the "5-minute reset" — close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine you are doing this job for the very first time. Looking at it again with a beginner's mind, you may discover a whole new angle.

Give Your Phone a "Vacation"

Studies show that people who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression. Even more troubling, passively scrolling through other people's "perfect lives" triggers anxiety in 53% of people.

But true happiness comes from real life, not the virtual world. Try these "digital detox" methods:

Set "phone-free time": choose a fixed two hours each day with no phone at all — perhaps the two hours before bed or the first two hours after waking. Turn off 99% of your notifications: keep only calls, texts, and essential work alerts, and switch off the rest. Treat social media as a "tool," not a "toy": set a purpose before you open it, such as "I'm looking for a recipe."

What you see on social media is what others want you to see — it is not the truth.

Closing Thoughts: Be The Fool of Your Own Life

In the end, the wisdom of The Fool was never about being "foolish." It is about clarity, courage, and awareness — about knowing how to enjoy life itself, refusing to be held hostage by the voices outside, and refusing to be trapped by the anxiety within.

We don't need to force ourselves to become extraordinary, chase success as the world defines it, or agonize over our imperfections. Keep a measure of curiosity, carry a measure of courage, embrace life in all its forms, and follow your heart, one gentle step at a time.

May we all carry the innocence and courage of The Fool — free of inner struggle, free of overthinking, unhurried and at ease — gathering our own joy and wholeness along the journey of life.