Rediscovering joy and happiness in everyday life
Did you know that joy is considered the most contagious of all emotions? Seeing someone genuinely happy can light up our day and make us feel more positive.
Of course, life can sometimes feel like it gets in the way of our happiness, and we can get bogged down by our responsibilities, worries, and grief.
But what if we could learn to find joy in everyday moments? What if we could rediscover the things that bring us happiness? Ten years ago, I never imagined I would make it to 25, let alone into my thirties. And here I am, happier than I have ever been.
Recently, someone asked me how I went from being unable to survive another day to showing other people how to be happy. Believe me, it wasn't an overnight change; I started really, really small, counting two or three tiny things that went well that day, and when I say small, I mean small. It may have been that I was wearing cute socks that day or the feel of a soft jumper.
In this blog post, I'll share the journey to rediscovering joy, exploring the things that make us happy, letting go of negativity, and finding joy in everyday life. So, read on if you're ready to rediscover the joy in your daily life!
What brings you joy?
This is foundational. How can you rediscover the joy every day when you don't even know what makes you happy in the first place?
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life; plus, life can seem overwhelming when there's too much on your plate. I'm so guilty of focusing on everything I need to get done each day rather than what I want to do. But taking a few moments out of each day to disconnect can be such an incredible help as it allows us to regain our focus and pause for a bit.
Small things can help us to relax and rediscover joy:
- Going for a walk
- Reading a book
- Getting some sunlight
- Calling an old friend
- Or even just staying in bed for an extra half hour
By remembering what brings you, you'll be able to shake things up and build in joyful moments.
Take some time each day to do something that makes you happy
Studies have proven that even a few minutes of an enjoyable activity can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. So, taking the time to do something that brings you joy, no matter how small, can be vital for your well-being. Going for a walk outside on a sunny day, listening to your favourite song, or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen are all great ways to add extra joy throughout the day.
Find beauty in the small things around you
You know that trend over on the 'gram about romanticising your life? It's not a bad idea. Many of us struggle to find joy in the small things, but these same small moments can truly bring peace and light into our lives. Taking a moment to capture the beauty in nature can be incredibly grounding - whether it be through noticing a vibrant flower blooming or feeling the sun on your face as you sit outside, or even listening to birdsong as you walk in the park.
As life moves faster, slow down, and take some time out of your busy day to appreciate the beauty around you.
Connect with loved ones
Thanks to social media, it's easier than ever to stay in touch with our loved ones, even though they are spread worldwide. Sure, if you find yourself doom scrolling, that's not gonna be conducive to more joy in your daily life, but it can help us to maintain meaningful connections with those close to us.
So, set aside time to meet a friend or just pick up the phone for a chat. Plus, a quick text or video call can go a long way in bringing us closer together.
Make time for yourself
Taking care of yourself is essential; it doesn't have to be hard work. Allocating time to de-stress and unwind can make a difference to your day. Whether snuggling up with your favourite book or running yourself a warm bath – simple, small moments of self-care can boost your overall well-being.
Why not start scheduling an hour each week to do something for yourself? It might not seem like much now, but dedicating time to mindful activities and relaxation will add up and leave you feeling energised and refreshed.
Practise gratitude
It's easy to take life and so much good stuff for granted, and I find that remembering that life is made up of moments—small and mighty fragments of time that come and go. Hard times can last much longer than we'd like, but it's essential to be mindful, even in our darkest hours, and search for the good things that still exist in our lives. Being grateful and appreciating the good moments when they happen will help your attitude shift in a positive direction and give you greater strength to carry through difficult times.
If you find that you're struggling to make time for things that bring you joy, or if your life feels out of balance, it may be time to seek help from a life coach. Life coaching can lead to lasting positive changes and help you find ways to incorporate more happiness into your day-to-day.
So, if you're ready to work with a life coach and make some positive changes, drop me a message. I am a Life Coach specialising in Happiness and Joy and an accredited Happiness Facilitator and Mental Health First Aider!
Alternatively, A Year of Self-Care: The Ultimate Guide and Journal could help you commit to positive changes over the next year.
