Wake up, eat, work, eat, watch TV, go to bed.
This is a typical "day-in-the-life" cycle that plays on repeat as the days, months, years tick by.
Each day seems to contain an endless list of tasks and responsibilities. By the time the weekend (finally) comes around, we spend it one of two ways: either in total isolation or completely surrounded by people and activities without a moment for rest.
Either way, it's rare to find the balance you need.
Given the constant “go, go, go” mentality that surrounds our lives, we can fall susceptible to periods of depression and exhaustion. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the deadlines and forget to do much outside of what is already required.
As we enter the holiday season and our normal patterns are disrupted, we are constantly reminded to be thankful for our family, friends, and all other wonderful things we've already received in this life.
Yet through all of this celebration, there is one emotion that remains essential in order to experience the season in an authentic way: joy.
The definition of joy is, “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. While many times this can manifest itself naturally in your life (think, puppy videos or that occasional sunset that takes your breath away), often times we need to actively acknowledge and choose to find this joy on a daily basis.
Personally, I find joy in the intentionality of my actions. This means making a conscious effort to spend my time balanced in work and relationships. It means reaching out to a friend or loved one “just because”. It means taking my dogs on a surprise lunchtime adventure in the woods. And it means scheduling self-care into my routine whenever it is needed.
Sometimes, we choose joy by saying, “No” to more responsibilities or unwanted tasks.
Sometimes, we choose joy by saying, “Yes” to stepping out of our comfort zones.
Sometimes, we choose joy by simply deciding early on in our day to stay positive and dwell only on those positive things in life.
The holidays can be a difficult, emotional time to navigate. Choosing joy will inherently look different for everyone, but it’s the common thread that pulls us all close in the coming days and weeks.
How are you planning to choose joy during the hectic holiday season?