Humor as a coping mechanism doesn’t mean you’re not taking something seriously. Sometimes it’s the most healing thing you can do.
In 2007, Susan Reynolds discovered a thick area in her breast. Within hours, she was at the diagnostic radiologist’s office. By the end of that day, she had multiple biopsies confirming malignant tissue.
What she did next taught me everything about how to face hard things.
The Ice Pack Problem
After the procedure, she needed to keep things cool to reduce bleeding and pain. Traditional ice packs are hard and heavy. Nobody wants a brick sitting on their chest when they’re already dealing with enough.
So she reached for a bag of frozen peas.
It wasn’t a strategic decision. It was just what made sense in the moment. Peas conform to the body. They’re light. And apparently, they make for a great photograph.
The Unexpected Conversation Starter
She tucked the peas in her bra, took a picture, and shared it. That bag of peas added a touch of lightness to what could have been a sad and serious tale.
Here’s what she discovered:
- A bag of peas was something everybody could relate to
- Some people love them, some hate them, some use them for their own injuries
- The frozen peas became a vehicle for conversation and let people tease her instead of having to cry
- It let people share instead of bemoaning
The absurdity was the invitation. People who might have been too uncomfortable to reach out about cancer had no problem reaching out about vegetables.
The Power of Levity
Susan started a campaign called “Boobs On Ice” to raise awareness about breast cancer. But what made it work wasn’t the cause itself, which is important but also heavy. What made it work was the peas.
The peas gave people permission to engage without the weight of tragedy. They could crack jokes. They could share their own frozen vegetable stories. They could connect over something silly while supporting something serious.
That’s the genius of humor as a coping mechanism. It doesn’t diminish the pain. It creates a doorway for others to enter.
What This Teaches About Hard Times
When we’re going through something difficult, our instinct is often to be serious about it. To treat it with the gravity it “deserves.” But sometimes the most healing thing we can do is find the absurdity.
Not to minimize what we’re facing. But to give ourselves and others a way in.
Vulnerability doesn’t always have to look like tears. Sometimes it looks like a bag of frozen peas tucked where it doesn’t belong, and the courage to share that image with the world.
When life gets heavy, look for the peas. They might be the very thing that helps you carry the weight.
This is shadow work in action.
If you’re ready to process what’s been running your life, explore the Shadow Work practices.