January 11, 2021
Reflection: Joy isn't always found. It can be created.
Today, I'm grateful for: a thought-provoking question
Challenge: What easy ways can you create joy in your day?
I saw a list of self-care check-in questions the other day, and one struck me as especially thought-provoking:
What will I engage in today that will bring me joy?
-Minaa B. (Insta: minaa_b)
It's quite intriguing to me, considering joy is so often reflected upon in hindsight. What I like about this question is that it assumes we look at joy proactively. That we evaluate the opportunity of our day and ensure we dedicate some time and energy into creating joy by way of seeking it out, and setting ourselves up to find it.
So when I asked myself that question, I was a bit surprised to find that I was struggling to find an answer....I mean, sure I could throw out something cliché like 'spend time with family' or 'get outdoors'. But I think there's value in specificity. And I didn't want to settle for something that I wasn't quite sure I could commit to anyway. So I kept searching....What will I engage in today that will bring me joy?...
As I continued to unpack that question, I considered what truly makes me me, and how that influences my ability to experience joy. Well, with preferred love languages of gift-giving and words of affirmation, I find joy in giving and receiving gifts, compliments, words of encouragement, etc. But I'm only in control of my end of that. So perhaps I can reach out to a trusted friend, and send some love? Or on the more tangible end, fresh cut flowers are something that always bring me so much joy, and continue to bring me joy for the duration of their life. So maybe I could buy myself a small bouquet of flowers? Genuine, uninterrupted, 1-on-1 quality time with my husband has been something that has always brought me joy, but even more so lately considering these moments are fewer-and far between. So perhaps a lunch or dinner date is in order.
This exercise was surprisingly challenging and eye-opening. And I intend to continue integrating this into my practice. I want to establish a list of easy, go-to things that I can rely on to bring me joy without much effort. I anticipate things like singing in the shower, or impromptu mid-day dance party, or have dessert for lunch...whatever it may be, I know I am worthy of joy, and it's my job to help create it.
What easy ways do you create joy in your day?
XO
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