Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? One day, you wake up and realise that your days have become a constant loop of responsibilities, stress, and endless to-do lists. It happened to me not too long ago—I found myself wondering where the joy in my life had gone. I was going through the motions but feeling a bit lost. If that sounds familiar, know you’re not alone. I want to share what worked for me in my journey to bring joy back into my life, in the hopes that it might resonate with you.
1. Finding Joy in Small Moments
For the longest time, I thought joy had to come from big, life-changing events—like trips, career milestones, or hitting those huge goals. But I realised I was missing the little things. The simple act of savouring my morning cuppa, watching the way sunlight filtered through the trees, or even just laughing with a friend—these moments were slipping through my fingers.
When I started paying attention to these small, everyday joys, everything shifted. I wasn’t waiting for happiness to find me anymore; I started finding it in the present.
What Worked for Me: I started a gratitude journal. Every evening, I wrote down three things that made me smile that day. It was a small commitment, but it helped me notice the positive moments that I’d been overlooking. It’s like training your brain to look for the good.
2. Reconnecting with What Makes You Feel Alive
At some point, I realised I had stopped doing the things I loved. Life became all about what I had to do, not what I wanted to do. I missed reading books that had nothing to do with work, dancing in my living room like a fool, and getting lost in creative projects. But when I reintroduced these passions into my life, I felt like I was reconnecting with a part of myself that I had forgotten about.
What Helped: I started small. I’d read just 10 minutes before bed or pick up the guitar for half an hour. It wasn’t about being productive; it was about letting myself do something purely for the joy of it. Little by little, that spark of joy started to come back.
3. Making Self-Care a Priority
I used to think self-care was just something people talked about but rarely practiced. But I was wrong. Taking care of myself physically and emotionally became the foundation for everything else. When I was exhausted or stressed, I couldn’t find joy no matter how hard I tried. It was only when I started prioritising sleep, eating well, and giving myself permission to rest that I realised how essential self-care is for happiness.
My Breakthrough: I stopped feeling guilty about resting. Sometimes self-care looked like taking a long bath; other times, it was just sitting quietly with a book. I also started moving my body in ways that felt good—yoga, walking, or even dancing around my kitchen. It didn’t matter what I did, as long as I was treating myself with kindness.
4. Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism was something I struggled with for years. I always felt like I needed to be doing more, achieving more, being more. But perfectionism robbed me of so much joy because nothing ever felt good enough. It took time (and some gentle reminders) to learn that it’s okay to be a work in progress. The pursuit of perfection was exhausting, and once I let go of that, I realised how much lighter I felt.
The Turning Point: I started embracing imperfection in small ways. When I messed up at work or forgot something, I’d remind myself that it’s human to make mistakes. I also started being kinder to myself, the way I’d be to a friend. Learning to say “good enough” has been one of the most freeing things in my life.
5. Surrounding Myself with Positive People
I didn’t realise how much the people around me affected my happiness until I started being more mindful of the energy they brought into my life. Some relationships left me feeling drained and stressed, while others lifted me up. When I started choosing to spend more time with people who made me feel good and less with those who brought negativity, I noticed a huge shift.
What Changed: I became more intentional with my time. I made more space for friends who inspired me and made me laugh, and I began to distance myself from relationships that felt one-sided or toxic. It’s not always easy, but it’s been worth it.
6. Bringing Playfulness Back
One day, I realised I had forgotten how to have fun. When was the last time I did something purely for the joy of it, without any expectations? I couldn’t even remember. So, I made a conscious effort to bring playfulness back into my life. And let me tell you, it was like rediscovering a part of myself that had been buried under adulthood.
How I Found Joy in Play: I started doing silly things again—dancing like nobody was watching, playing games, and letting myself be spontaneous. It didn’t need to be anything elaborate; sometimes it was just playing with my dog or trying a new hobby for fun. Giving myself permission to play brought so much lightness back into my days.
7. Giving Joy to Others
This might sound counterintuitive, but one of the things that brought the most joy into my life was making others happy. Whether it was sending a thoughtful message, helping a friend, giving my healing treatments, I realised that bringing joy to others made my own heart feel fuller. It connected me to something bigger than myself. I think in many ways helping others was the biggest thing that turned my life around. The joy I feel from giving my therapies is second to none.
How It Changed Me: I started doing small acts of kindness whenever I could—sometimes it was for strangers, sometimes for loved ones. And the incredible thing was, it not only made others smile it made me smile too! Also giving healing treatments has given me a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment.
8. Choosing Joy, Even on Tough Days
I used to think joy was something that just happened. But I’ve learned that sometimes, joy is a choice. Life will always have its difficult moments, but choosing to find the good—whether it’s in a laugh, a connection, or a small act of self-kindness—makes a world of difference.
My Daily Reminder: On days when things feel heavy, I ask myself, “What’s one small thing I can do to bring joy into this moment?” Sometimes it’s stepping outside for fresh air, other times it’s calling a friend or indulging in a favourite snack. The key is in those little choices we make every day.
Conclusion: The Joy is Always There
What I’ve realised is that joy never really left me—it was just buried under the weight of life. By reconnecting with myself, embracing small moments, and letting go of the pressures I put on myself, I found joy again. It’s not something that magically stays forever, but it’s always there, waiting to be noticed.
If you’re feeling like joy is far away, know that you have the power to bring it back. Start small, be kind to yourself, and trust that happiness is within your reach. You deserve it.
Love and blessings always
Jo x
Lovely post Jo, so many wise words! I think all of us could do with a little more joy in our lives! xx