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… Continue reading Embracing Joy
Bonjour! I've spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of authenticity. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered. Embracing authenticity helps me remember to follow my heart, march to the beat of my own drummer, and any other number of appropriate… Continue reading Embracing Authenticity
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
Bonjour! Last year, during the throes of another COVID winter and pregnancy, L'Husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at home with romantic homemade mini pizzas followed by chocolate fondue for dessert. Today's post shares some photos of our meal and ideas for your very own fête à la pizza. We all know chocolate is traditional… Continue reading Romantic Pizza for Valentine’s Day
Think for yourself, or others will think for you without thinking of you.” – Henry David Thoreau Bonjour! Let me preface this post by saying that when I entered the wet and wild world of parenting, I knew nothing about children and child-rearing. Scratch that: I knew less than nothing. The learning curve was steep,… Continue reading Why Do We Make Parenting So Complicated?
Bonjour! Thank you for being a part of Joyful Living this year! I started 2022 with some bold plans and a commitment to posting once per week - which I mostly did. I also revisited and revised my Joyful Living Mission Statement to reflect my personal values of authenticity, sustainability, and joy. As we say… Continue reading 2022 Blog Year in Review
"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! 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
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 