Let’s just get this out of the way: I hate April Fools Day. The idea of a day dedicated entirely to pranks and tomfoolery? No thank you. Haven’t we had our fill of nonsense the other 364 days of the year? It’s not clever. It’s not fun. And for some of us, it stirs up memories we’d rather leave in the past. Maybe it’s because I was bullied growing up, but this so-called holiday has never sat right with me.
Here’s the thing about pranks—most of them aren’t nearly as funny or innocent as people think. Sure, some are harmless enough to make you chuckle. But more often than not, they teeter into the territory of irresponsible, ignorant, or downright cruel. And don’t even get me started on the “I’m pregnant!” joke that lights up social media every single year like clockwork. For anyone who’s lost a pregnancy or struggles with infertility, there’s nothing remotely funny about it. It’s hurtful. It’s thoughtless. It’s a punch to the gut wrapped in a poor attempt at humor.
And really, do we need more opportunities for people to flex their mean-spirited creativity? Life hands us enough surprises already—a broken piece of equipment, a freak storm rolling in, or chickens deciding today’s the day they’re going to escape the yard. None of these feel like a laughing matter in the moment, but they at least come with a valid reason. April Fools, on the other hand, is a free pass for people to manufacture chaos just for the sake of a laugh. Forgive me if I’m not seeing the brilliance.
I’ve long since opted out of this holiday. The thought of pulling a prank on someone—or having one pulled on me—makes my stomach churn. It’s not in my nature to intentionally trick or embarrass someone, even under the guise of “fun.” And honestly, I think the world would be a better place if more people felt the same. Life has enough real challenges without adding fake ones to the mix.
So this April 1st, you won’t find me plotting any schemes or bracing for whatever nonsense might come my way. Instead, I’ll be doing what I always do—showing up for my family, my farm, and my community. That’s no joke.
What’s your take on April Fools Day? Are you a fan of pranks, or do you steer clear like me? Pull up a chair—I’m all ears, and I promise not to trick you into sitting on a whoopee cushion.
