Embracing Joy

Bonjour!

As I wrote recently, I’ve spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of joy. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered.

Today’s post shares tips for embracing joy in everyday life. I recently shared my approach to embracing authenticity and will write about sustainability next.

🌻 What Is Joyful Living?

Embracing joyful living helps me remember to find pleasure in simple things, do more of what makes me happy, and set reasonable expectations for myself, family, work, home, et cetera.

Joyful living is about seeking pleasure in small things, keeping routines simple and commitments to a minimum, and taking breaks to reset, refresh, and recharge. It makes space for wellness and self-care.

☕️ Tips for Joyful Living

Keep it simple! We make life waaaay too complicated.

Incorporate small pleasures into everyday life – cut some flowers, make a cup of hot tea, pet the dog.

Embrace the joy of missing out. Better yet, try a social media detox.

Eschew the hectic in favor of the leisurely where possible. Life gets busy.

🍫 How I Incorporate Joy in My Life

I try to read, relax, and rest every day, and have recently incorporated diaphragmatic breathing to manage stress and urge incontinence.

I don’t worry about what other people like or are doing and embrace the “joy of missing out.”

I gently swim or walk for exercise.

I pause to enjoy a moment in nature – the hoot of an owl from a neighbor’s roof, the dive of a swallow over the pond behind my house, the flitting and tittering of a hummingbird out my family room window. Yes, I like birds.

I follow the Mediterranean diet, which for me includes Mediterranean cookies (le wink).

Remember, this is just one person’s opinion! Finding joy and pleasure in the quotidien looks different for everyone.

How can you embrace joy in your daily routines and activities?

Merci for reading and please subscribe and share!

À votre santé,

Katie