From TCNEWS
A Psychiatrist based in the United Kingdom, Dr. Mrs Gloria Harrison has encouraged Nigerians to use Fool’s Paradise Day, observed every July 13, as an opportunity to step back from life’s harsh realities and tap into their imagination as a source of healing and hope, in a rare moment of reflection that blends mental health awareness with cultural introspection.
Speaking via WhatsApp in an exclusive interaction with our correspondent, Dr. Gloria described the observance as “a timely reminder that amid rising insecurity, economic hardship, and social tension, Nigerians deserve moments of joy, even if imagined.”
“We are a people carrying so much weight, economic pressure, societal expectations, national uncertainty. On a day like Fool’s Paradise Day, we are reminded that it is okay to dream, to create a mental space where peace, laughter, and hope exist without apology,” she said.
Celebrated annually on July 13, Fool’s Paradise Day is rooted in the belief that joy and happiness don’t always have to come from external circumstances. It promotes the idea of escaping, if only briefly, into the safe haven of the mind, where imagination creates a better, happier world, even when real life feels difficult or chaotic.
In its global context, Fool’s Paradise Day encourages people to create personal “happy places”, mental sanctuaries where they feel fulfilled, safe, and content. Though some may see this as whimsical or unrealistic, mental health professionals increasingly recognize the value of visualization, mindfulness, and positive thinking as tools for emotional resilience.
For Nigerians navigating daily realities that include inflation, high unemployment, power shortages, and insecurity, the idea of a mental escape can be both therapeutic and empowering.
Dr. Mrs Gloria, the Secretary General of a charity organization known as Harrison Goodness Foundation (HGF) explained that while it is important to confront national challenges head-on, it is equally vital not to lose the human capacity for hope.
“Even the most resilient people break down if they don’t find moments of joy. Fool’s Paradise Day is not about denial, it is about reminding ourselves that happiness, no matter how fleeting or imagined, has value,” she added.
She also emphasized that such days should not be dismissed as mere fantasies but embraced as acts of mental self-care.
The mental toll of current national challenges, ranging from insecurity in parts of the North and Middle Belt to economic instability across the country, has led to a growing sense of collective fatigue. Experts say that cultural moments like Fool’s Paradise Day provide a low-cost, universally accessible way to boost morale and protect mental well-being.
In the Nigerian context, traditional storytelling, music, dance, and community celebrations already offer informal versions of this “happy place.” Dr Gloria suggested integrating these cultural elements more deliberately into public life as a way of reinforcing emotional health.
She enjoined the average Nigerian to celebrate Fool’s Paradise Day, giving a few locally relevant suggestions like Daydream without guilt, reconnect with culture, pause from news overload, create a vision board and practice gratitude.
“Spend a few quiet minutes imagining a future where your dreams are reality, whether it is starting a business, buying a home, or seeing your children thrive. Listen to traditional music, tell folk stories, or attend a community gathering. Take a break from negative headlines and allow yourself space to reflect on hope, not hardship. Visualize goals with pictures or drawings, not as unrealistic dreams, but as motivation to keep moving forward. Reflect on things that bring joy, even simple ones like clean water, family, or a shared laugh”, she advised.
In a country facing serious socio-economic hurdles, Fool’s Paradise Day reminds Nigerians, and the world, that even imagined joy has power. It’s not an escape from reality, but a moment to build hope, one thought at a time.
And as Dr. Mrs Gloria aptly puts it:
“Sometimes, the first revolution begins in the mind. Let us allow ourselves the freedom to dream again.”
