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Intentionally Finding Joy
As a part of my Every Little Bit challenge, I have committed to spending 15 minutes every day working on MacDonald Wellness (I've been creating space to allow more time for it, so I need to make it a priority!). One of the things I'm focusing on is writing at least one post a week, and guess what? I have 28 (28!!!) that I've started but never posted, plus countless others that I have in my mind to too. This is one that's been drafted for a while.
I hope you enJOY it 😅
Something that has been coming up for me a lot lately is how important it is to find time for joy in my life.
What are the things I love, that bring me peace, are fun, make me happy, and how can I bring those things into the everyday, or at least intentionally sprinkle them into my life?
Intentionally finding joy
If you're like me, my days can get caught up in the "busy" and they just pass on by. If I intentionally choose to find those little moments of joy, the benefits are so great. Just like a gratitude practice, finding ways to bring in joy can help you to be more present and really notice and appreciate the little moments.
As a side note, every time I think about joy, it reminds me of my childhood best friend, Jill. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40s, her motto was "I will not let cancer steal my joy!" She lived that motto every day, starting a foundation to help others dealing with cancer (Jillshope.org), and being a light for others until she passed away in 2017. 🙏
My (partial) Joy List:
All things in nature (flowers, lake time, zoo walks)
Connecting with others - friend or family time
Being active - walks, yoga, strength classes (bonus with friends!)
Solo time - morning routine, porch sitting, coffee shop
sweetness Sunflowers time with girlfriends Solo time at the coffee shop zoo walks with a friend My sweeties
Finding Joy doesn't mean opposing feelings aren't valid too!
And please know that looking for things that bring you joy doesn't mean you always have to be happy! Life is complicated, and we often have opposing feelings at the same time:
Joy & grief
Hope & despair
Excitement & anxiety
Peace and stillness amid the chaos of life
For example: think about a child graduating from high school - such a bittersweet time! So joyful, happy and excited for their future and what's to come, alongside sadness for the end of an era! Or in a situation where you've experienced a loss, you may still have moments where you laugh or feel happy - and that's totally normal and ok!
The other side of that is that we need feelings like grief, fear, anxiety, overwhelm in order to notice and truly feel the opposing feelings of joy, hope, excitement, peace, etc. Do you agree?
AND while I'm posting things that bring me joy, I am human
I also have my share of moments of stress, anxiety, frustration, and sadness, too! I am choosing to focus on joy as I'm a firm believer that what you focus on expands. Being intentional (when I remember! 😅) to choose to notice those little moments of joy can help to be more present and not get as caught up in the busyness or chaos of life.
Mornings on the porch travel with family lake time Shred with friends! noticing beauty in nature walks with loved ones
What's bringing you joy these days?
What's one thing you can do today, this week or in the near future that can bring you joy? It can be teeny tiny, size or effort doesn't matter for joy! Please comment or share with me - I'd love to get new ideas and inspiration!
💗 Becky
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