HOW TO FIND MORE JOY IN LIFE
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” ~ Henri Nouwen
We all want to be happy, but sometimes it can be hard to find joy in life. Maybe you're stuck in a job you hate, feeling low and exhausted, or struggling with personal relationships. Whatever the reason, if you're looking for more joy, here are some tips to help you find it.
1. DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
It's so important to prioritise things that make us happy! It could be something as small as taking a break to grab coffee when work is stressful or something bigger, like planning a weekend getaway with friends.
You might enjoy listening to a favourite song, sipping hot cocoa on a winter’s night, or sitting outside and feeling the sun's warmth on your skin. It doesn’t have to be something grand or over-the-top; sometimes, the little moments bring us the most joy. Making time for activities that give us pleasure, such as exercise, reading, creating art, and spending time with friends and family, is vital.
2. SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD
Studies have shown that surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good increases happiness, confidence and overall well-being. Positive relationships and interactions with friends and family are crucial to finding sustainable joy. When we are around individuals who support, inspire, and push us to strive harder, we can feel great accomplishment. Finding these people in your life can be challenging, so remember to be open and honest about what makes you happy and speak up when something no longer serves you well. Above all else, value your time and remember to take care of yourself before taking care of others.
3. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY
Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is extremely important, especially when life gets overwhelming. Plan to do activities that relax you and help you wind down, like going for a walk in nature or taking a bubble bath with your favourite candles. Invest time establishing healthy habits, such as eating nutritious meals and getting enough sleep. Even the small things like enjoying a warm cup of tea or taking naps throughout the week can make an incredible difference to your overall well-being. So, create routines and prioritise self-care! You’ll be surprised at how much better it makes you feel.
4. FIND YOUR PASSION AND PURSUE IT
Everybody has something that they are passionate about. Whether it's painting, cooking, playing chess, or teaching English - we all have something that sets our hearts alight and brings us immense joy and satisfaction. Pursuing your passion is one of the most rewarding activities you can do. It brings you happiness and purpose, and the feeling of achieving success in something you love is unparalleled. There is no more incredible feeling than to know that you've used your skills to accomplish your dreams. By investing time and effort into finding our true passions, we can discover a newfound sense of fulfilment that reaches far beyond traditional means of contentment. So, find what speaks to you, take the plunge, and pursue it wholeheartedly!
5. LET GO OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS
It's easy to get bogged down with negative thoughts and emotions, and it can be tough to let them go. But if we don't, they can greatly impact our mental and physical health. So, taking the time and effort to reduce these negative feelings is a worthwhile investment for your well-being. Living in the present moment instead of worrying about things in the past or future can help you to focus on the positives instead. Taking a break from situations that bring up stress and worry can give you much-needed pause to step back and remember what makes life enjoyable. It will also bring more balance into your life for future decisions. Remember that letting go does not mean being complacent -- it just means making space for yourself to take positive steps moving forward.
If you're unsure where to start, try out a few of these tips and see how they make you feel. The most important thing is that you do what makes YOU happy. Life is too short to worry about what other people think or whether you're "doing it right." So go out and live your best life!
What to read some more about Joy? Here are some suggestions:
1. "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World" by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
2. "The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living" by Meik Wiking
3. "Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill" by Matthieu Ricard
4. "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown
5. "Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness" by Ingrid Fetell Lee
6. The Courage to Be Happy - Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
“To have joy in your heart, one must know how to appreciate the small things in life.” Anonymous
