For many of us, being happy is the goal, right?
But what does “being happy?” really mean? And is it realistic to think that you can “be happy” all the time?
The answer is… unlikely. Humans just aren’t made that way.
However, what you can do almost all the time, is create little moments of joy.
Creating Moments Of Joy
I originally wrote this post during the 4th week of quarantine (it has since been edited for our post-covid lives).
During this time, so much was taken away from us. There was so much uncertainty in the air. At every moment.
No one felt happy. Or even at peace. Life as we knew it was shut down.
Everyone was feeling anxious, depressed, and downright terrified about what was going to come next.
And during this time, the moments of joy I was able to create are what stood out. They gave me respite from the overwhelm. Those moments are what kept me going.
Creating joyful moments is easy when you’re in a good place. But when you’re going through a dark period, they don’t come as naturally. Yet you need them to get to the other side.
Below are 10 ways I was able to create tiny moments of joy during the 4th week of quarantine. And that I still use today. I hope they inspire you to create joyful moments for yourself too.
10 Tiny Moments of Joy
1. Slowly drink your coffee in the morning, and pay attention to how it tastes. Find joy on your tongue.
2. Play a song that resonates with how you feel. Turn off all of your devices, close your eyes, and really listen.
3. Watch a show that makes you laugh. My go-to’s are Key and Peele, Broad City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Nathan For You. Laughing is one of the best ways to experience a moment of joy.
4. Daydream. It can be about anything, even if it’s what you’re making for dinner.
5. Listen. To the rain. Or the birds chirping. Hear the breeze. Or the sound of your breath.
6. Take a hot shower. And notice how it’s cleansing in more ways than one.
7. Stretch. Even if you simply reach your arms up to the sky for a moment, right now.
8. Be grateful for tiny things. Like the softness of your pillow. Or the color of the sky. Or the way the light reflects on a window.
9. Snuggle with a pet. Perhaps my favorite moment of joy on this list!
10. Do something kind for someone else – a simple text to check-in can do wonders.
There is one thing that all of these ideas have in common – they involve being immersed in the present moment. Learning to be in the present is key to finding more moments of joy.
And, The Book of Delights by Ross Gay is a wonderful read, that can also help inspire you to find joy in small moments.
What are are some of your favorite moments of joy? Let me know in the comments, and please like and share this post if you enjoyed it.
