Why I Text "Smile" Instead of "LOL"

In social contexts, smiling and laughter have different functions. Let's examine what those functions are. Among humans, a smile expresses delight, sociability, happiness, joy, or amusement. Smiling is a form of communication worldwide.

Smiling seems to have a positive influence on others, making a person likable and more approachable.

Smile vs. Laughing Out Loud

Language is more than communication—it is memory, identity, and sometimes even healing. In today’s digital world, acronyms like LOL (“Laughing Out Loud”) have become shorthand for joy, amusement, or shared humor. Yet for me, I rarely type LOL. Instead, I automatically write smile without thinking. Does it matter? And what's the hidden reason I prefer one over the other?

At first glance, it may seem like a small difference. But for me, words carry weight, and the choice between smile and LOL tells a deeper story. Actually, I didn't realize I was doing it until I pondered the situation.

In the rhythm of online conversation, we often reach for quick expressions—LOL, emojis, acronyms that signal joy.

I don't plan it. However, I find myself choosing the word "smile" instead of LOL. Only recently did I realize why.

Childhood Echoes

When I was a child, laughter was not always kind. My siblings and classmates often laughed at me, not with me. They grouped together, called me names, and used laughter as a weapon. I hadn’t thought about those moments in decades, but they left an imprint.

So when I see LOL, I don’t just see “laughing out loud.” I hear echoes of those childhood memories, the sting of being singled out, and the sound of laughter that excluded rather than embraced. Without consciously deciding, I began to choose the word "smile" instead. It became my way of reclaiming joy without reopening old wounds.

The Gentle Power of a Smile

For me, smile is a softer and more pleasant word than the acronym, LOL. Smiles don’t demand attention. So, what do they do?

• A smile invites connection.
• A smile can comfort.
• A smile can bless.
• A smile can acknowledge delight without overwhelming the moment.

When I write smile, I’m not rejecting laughter. I’m choosing a word that feels safe, tender, and inclusive. It’s my way of saying, “I’m with you in joy,” without the sharpness that laughter once carried in my past.

When Laughter Belongs

Of course, laughter has its rightful place. It is healing in its own way—laughter can break tension, bond communities, and release burdens. There are moments when laughing out loud is exactly what some people need.

• Sharing a joke with friends.
• Celebrating a silly mistake.
• Relieving stress in heavy times.

Laughter, like any expression, carries context. For some, it recalls warmth. For some like me, it recalls wounds. Recognizing those differences will help us honor a smile and laughter.

Choosing Words That Fit

In digital conversations, we often reach for shortcuts—LOL, emojis, acronyms. Yet each choice reflects something deeper. For me, "smile" is not just a word; it is a gentle act of self-care. It honors my past while reshaping and staying true to my present.

Others may prefer LOL, and that’s beautiful too. The key is awareness: noticing how words feel, what they carry, and how they connect us. Sometimes, the smallest choices—like typing smile—become acts of healing.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Gentle Joy

Whether we laugh out loud or simply smile, both are expressions of joy. But for me, smile is a legacy word. It reminds me that joy doesn’t have to be loud to be real. It can be quiet, tender, and positive.

So the next time you see that I have written smile, know that it is more than a facial expression. It is a blessing, a memory transformed, and a gentle invitation to share joy in a way that heals.

May our words be gentle. May we laugh out loud in ways that do not wound. May we smile in ways that heal. Let us keep the following quotes in mind:

• “Joy doesn’t have to be loud; sometimes it’s enough to simply smile.”
• "A smile is laughter’s gentler echo, carrying joy without the sting of memory.”
• “Smiles whisper what laughter sometimes shouts.”
• “In choosing smile, I choose healing, and joy that blesses softly.”
• “Not all joy is loud; some arrives as a smile, steady and kind.”
• "A smile is a frown turned upside down."

Author's Note

The purpose of writing this article was not to suggest that anyone should stop writing LOL. It was to explain why I don't write LOL and to show the differences between a smile and laughing out loud for me personally. I perceive a smile as more intimate, positive, gentle, and inviting.

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