Bonjour! I love music. Mes Parents got me hooked on music from a tender age, whether it was jamming to oldies and classic rock with my mother in the car on the way to school or playing Guess the Classical Composer with my father after dinner (I’d get an M&M for each correct answer!). Photo… Continue reading My Favorite Music Streaming Channels
Bonjour! After slogging through the pandemic and pregnancy, I was ready for a new creative outlet. I happened to find an online art journaling workshop hosted by the campus wellbeing services center at the university where I work. Today's post introduces art journaling and its benefits for self expression and mental health and wellness. My… Continue reading What Is Art Journaling?
Bonjour! It's good to be back at Joyful Living! After an intentional pause from writing to focus on health and home, I’m ready to get back to the keyboard. Thank you, dear reader, for joining me and supporting my blog. A dachshund on a sunny spring morning It's about Damn Time It's been a long,… Continue reading Back from Hiatus and Ready for Summer
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."– Pablo Picasso Bonjour! I founded Joyful Living in 2019 to celebrate joyful living everyday. Joie de vivre is a a French phrase meaning “joy in living" and inspired the title and philosophy of my blog. I write… Continue reading Joyful Living Mission Statement, Revisited
Bonjour! Today, I will not read or listen to the news. I will not look at my calendar, or my day planner. I will not worry about how much I weigh, or how I look. I will not check work email. I will not even think about laundry. I will not let my stomach/back/headache stop… Continue reading The Perfect Day
Bonjour! I spend a lot of time at home by choice - I’m a natural-born homebody - and by necessity - the COVID-19 pandemic has me (mostly) sheltering in place with a newborn, a dachshund, and my reentry anxiety cranked up to eleven. I’ve always loved being at and making a home. When I was… Continue reading My Happy at Home Basket
Bonjour! There are lots of fun things about motherhood and parenting that I expected, like newborn snuggles and tiny clothes and feeling like a whole new person while at the same time feeling exactly the same. And right now, at twelve weeks old, I love watching Le Bébé discover the joy of playing with his… Continue reading Adventures in Babywearing
Bonjour! Spoiler alert: Being pregnant is gross. Naturellement, I was thrilled to actually be pregnant and experience the magic and mystery of having a healthy bébé growing inside of me. But I was also exhausted and generally uncomfortable, what with ongoing morning sickness and nosebleeds and charley horses and insomnia, to name but a few… Continue reading Pregnancy Survival Kit
Bonjour! Part of my commitment to joyful living and an organic and eco-friendly lifestyle includes using household products sans synthetic fragrances, such as laundry detergent or bath soap. Today’s post shares how make your very own all-natural air freshener with essential oils. Making your own room spray is eco-friendly and better for the air quality… Continue reading How to Make Natural Air Freshener with Essential Oils
Bonjour! During my pregnancy, I thought a lot about how to have a more positive mental attitude as part of my commitment to joyful living. I realized my bad habits of centering negative thoughts and vibes was not only dragging me down and holding me back from living my best life, but sending bad energy… Continue reading Positive Daily Affirmations
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 