Creating Intentional Joy in Your Life
Over the years I have learned that, when it comes to most parts of my life, I am the maker of my own happiness. While I would love for my family to clean the house without me asking (just once!) or receive an impromptu bouquet of flowers from my partner, I find that if I wait on other people to make me happy, most days are kind of ho-hum. This doesn’t mean that I don’t find joy from the people around me. I absolutely do! But I also know that there are many small ways that only I can make my cumulative days better. And I do that by adding in some intentional joy.
What is Intentional Joy?
I define Intentional Joy as actions I take that make me feel truly happy. Sometimes this means happiness in the moment, like picking up a bouquet of sunflowers at the grocery store or taking a break from the daily grind to wander about my flower garden. Other times Intentional Joy can be doing something for myself that I believe will bring me happiness over the long term. This includes things like regular physical activity, giving myself time to journal each day, keeping my space clean and clutter free, or working toward a personal or professional goal. Each time I create a new piece of content for Mabon House, I file it under Intentional Joy; because even if I don’t feel like writing or doing some design work in that very moment, I know that seeing the finished results WILL bring joy - to myself and my readers.
Sometimes intentional joy shows up as chores, exercise, the apple instead of the cookie (or the cookie instead of the apple). Other times it is take-out for one and a generous glass of wine to celebrate a win at work or other personal accomplishment. For me intentional joy is doing something that I know will make me feel better -sometimes in the moment, other times in the long run. It is about taking time to get clear on how I want to feel in my life and taking steps to feel that way as often as possible.
WHAT DOES YOUR BEST DAY LOOK LIKE?
What does your best day look like? I don’t mean what kind of house you’d live in or the type of car you’d drive if you won the lottery. I mean what would your current real life look like if you were living your purpose and finding happiness and abundance each and every day? What would you be doing? How would each day fulfill you? What kind of intentional joy would show up from day to day? Because, ultimately, that’s your goal – to create a life you love more often than not. To find joy in the small spaces, as well as the big events.
How Are You Spending Your Time?
One of the big problems with building in Intentional Joy, is that it can feel like there isn’t enough time in a day to do all the things you’d like to do.
But lack of time doesn’t have to hold you back from creating some intentional joy in your life. I’m here to say to you, as a kindred spirit, No one is going to give your permission to take time for yourself. You have to TAKE it.
Start making your self care a priority in your schedule. Carve out as much time as you need - no matter if that means half an hour or half a day. Give yourself time to do the things that will make you feel better and bring you joy. This may require letting go of things that don’t serve you (i.e. doom-scrolling before bed every night). You may need to ask for help (can your spouse make dinner and put the kids to bed, so you can have an hour of quiet, once a week?). If life is feeling stagnant, it’s time to get out of your comfort zone/regular routine and shake things up a bit.
Create Your Own Joy
Here is a fun exercise. Find one hour (or more) this week, to do something that will bring you some Intentional Joy. This could be planning a special Ostara meal, creating some spring-themed DIY projects or decor, trying a new beauty routine, reading a new book or simply writing in your journal. Whatever you decide to do, it should be Joyful - not time consuming or complicated. Spend it with your family or friends, if that makes you happy. Or spend solo, if that makes you happy. Mark that time off on your calendar and commit to doing something just for yourself. This small practice is something you can start to do a on a regular basis, to loosen the reigns of a rigid schedule and invite more joy into your everyday.