Joy isn’t just something that happens to us. It’s something we create. We get to choose, every single day, if we are going to create joy. I’m going to show you how to create little bits of joy (or big!) every day.
Life isn’t always easy. We face challenges. Tragic things happen. Some things are out of our control. That doesn’t mean we have no control. We get to choose how we respond to the things that happen to us. Our thoughts are within our control. Beyond our thoughts, there are other things we can control. We just have to find them and choose to act in ways that benefit us.
Before we talk about how to create joy, let’s talk about being sad. It’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions. Feeling sad is okay, and even good sometimes. It’s part of being human. We want to feel sad when sad (even horrible) things happen. Also, it’s possible to feel multiple things at the same time. For example, it’s common to feel sad about a death close to us while feeling happy about certain memories and relief that the suffering has ended. That’s healthy.
Creating joy is not about removing all the emotions that are typically thought to be negative.
There are no positive or negative emotions. They all serve their own purpose. We can benefit from every emotion we feel. The trick is to not dwell or get lost in the sadness. That’s why it’s so important to create joy.
How to Create Joy
So, how do we create joy? That’s the fun part. It’s different for everyone, and there are different ways. First, it helps to clear the stuff dragging you down.
What do you not like? If you don’t like a messy house or dishes in the sink, take a few minutes to tidy up. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. When you’re done, pause. Take a moment to appreciate the absence of the mess that used to be there. It’s gone. Feel the joy. Resist the urge to think about all the other messes. This moment is for you to appreciate this little joy.
Next, what do you like? If you like music and dancing, do it! Set aside two minutes for some wiggles with a favorite song. Again, it doesn’t have to be a massive event. Enjoy yourself and the experience in that little pocket of time. Take a break from the heavy stuff on your shoulders. This moment is for you to feel joy.
Lastly, be creative. You get to choose the kind of joy you bring into your life. Even when things seem unreachable, you can create joy. Remember, you control what happens inside your head. If you’re searching for a piece of joy that isn’t realistic at the moment, make it happen with your eyes closed. Take a few minutes to imagine the joy you’re seeking. Focus on all of your senses to really experience that joy. Put yourself exactly where you want to be, and then come back to reality refreshed and with more joy.
Let me know how you create joy by commenting below!
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This blog post is about joy (creating joy). Here are more blog posts related to the word ‘joy’ (but not about creating joy) from other sites:
Good Tidings of Great Joy! by Sharla Hallett
https://sharlahallett.com/good-tidings-of-great-joy/
Unwrap Steadfast Joy this Christmas by Lisa Crowder
https://lisacrowder.substack.com/p/steadfast-joy
Simple Is Better – 6 Easy Ways to Keep the JOY! in Advent and Christmas by Dianne Vielhuber