I’ve been reflecting a lot recently. The second half of 2024 has felt a little lost, and if I’m honest, it’s been a struggle. Surviving a major illness and the loss of my leg, rehabbing, and focusing on getting healthy again took an immense amount of energy. Now that progress has slowed and life looks so different, I’ve found myself wondering what comes next.
Being out of survival mode should feel freeing, but instead, the weight of deciding my next steps feels overwhelming—like staring up at a mountain. Last weekend, though, something unexpected happened. As I put up my Christmas tree, I felt a spark of hope and joy in my heart. Just sitting and watching the twinkling lights filled me with happiness.
That single moment didn’t solve my problems, but it shifted something inside me. It reminded me of the small joys I’d been too weighed down to notice—the warmth of the sun on my face, the comfort of my favorite chai tea, the support of a friend’s thoughtful text. Slowly, I began to seek out and savor these tiny pockets of joy in my everyday life. And something incredible happened: I started to feel stronger.
The Joy-Resilience Connection
That experience reminded me of something powerful: joy isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s a resource. Positive emotions like joy play a critical role in building resilience—the ability to adapt and bounce back from challenges.
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory explains how joy expands our thinking and helps us see solutions where we previously saw obstacles. Joy doesn’t just make us feel good; it equips us to handle stress, build stronger relationships, and face life’s difficulties with a sense of hope.
How Joy Fuels Resilience
When life throws us curveballs, it’s easy to feel like resilience is about gritting your teeth and pushing through. But here’s the secret: joy is the fuel that keeps you going.
Joy Improves Coping Mechanisms That moment by the Christmas tree reminded me how joy can act as a buffer against stress. Positive emotions like joy release hormones like dopamine, which counteract the effects of stress and create a sense of balance.
Joy Strengthens Connections As I shared my small joyful moments with friends—like the beauty of the lights or my love for chai tea—I felt my relationships deepen. Joy is contagious, and when we share it, it multiplies, creating a network of support.
Joy Sparks Creativity Joy gave me the mental space to consider new possibilities. Instead of being stuck in my problems, I started thinking, “What’s one small step I can take today to feel better?” This shift allowed me to see challenges with fresh eyes.
Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, here’s how you can intentionally bring more joy into your life:
1. Start Small with Gratitude Each morning, write down one thing you’re grateful for. It could be something as simple as a warm cup of coffee or a kind word. Gratitude shifts your focus to the good in your life, even on hard days.
2. Celebrate the Little Wins Don’t wait for major milestones to feel accomplished. A good conversation, finishing a task, or watching a sunset are all reasons to celebrate.
3. Make Time for Play Rediscover what makes you feel alive—whether it’s dancing, painting, or laughing with loved ones. Play is a direct pathway to joy.
4. Share Your Joy Every time you share a joyful moment with someone else, it grows. Send a funny text, give a compliment, or invite a friend to enjoy something with you.
A Story of Strength
The road I’m on is still steep, but I no longer feel like I’m staring at an insurmountable mountain. That moment of joy by the Christmas tree reminded me that resilience isn’t about enduring alone—it’s about finding the beauty in small moments and using them to fuel your strength.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, my invitation to you is this: start looking for the joy that’s already in your life. It doesn’t have to be big or profound. It might be the smell of fresh cookies, the sound of your favorite song, or the twinkling of Christmas lights. Those sparks of joy could be the very thing that helps you rise again, stronger and more resilient than before.
What’s a joyful moment that’s helped you through a hard time? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it.
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