How do I find what brings me joy?

How do I find what brings me joy?

When I asked this question for myself, I was given the answer ‘why not start with the things that you don’t enjoy as that’s easier to list and gets it out of the way’. So I recommend starting there. Write down all the things that you don’t like doing. Be careful not to write down all the things that hold an emotion. For me it was any kind of Art. I was writing it down not because I don’t appreciate art but because as a child I was told that I couldn’t draw very well and perhaps I should leave it to someone who could… my brother ended up doing all my art homework for me. 

So that’s one of mine shared so hopefully you can get the picture of how this works. Drawing did in fact end up on a list of mine but it was my ‘I would like to learn’ list. I bought a children’s book on how to draw animals and I had a great time trying it out with my daughter. Does this mean that I am now drawing every week, no. But I have reframed this creative outlet as something I now let myself do without any thought of whether it will be critiqued or liked.  For me it was enough that I tried.. Quite liberating really… 

Remembering.. there will be in moments in your life where you are soo immersed in something that you simply lose track of time. How wonderful are those moments. Those are the days when you go to bed with a huge smile on your face. It could be spending time with animals, knitting, attending conferences, doing a boot-camp class, mountain biking with friends. We have all had these moments but they have been pushed down the list of priorities. It’s so easy to say ‘oh I’ll do it next week’, ‘I’m too busy with work’, ‘I’m too busy with caring for x person’. This downshifting of what brings us happiness takes us out of balance. Our bodies no longer experience the moments of bliss, happiness and positive energy. The energy tank simply becomes more and more depleted. 

It’s time to rebalance our lives and start taking these moments for ourselves. If you are struggling with these concepts, then ask yourself ‘what is holding me back?…. You might not like the answer to that question but how freeing if you can see if for what it is. If it’s money then you can try selling something something or stop shopping. If it’s time, reorganise your day. Find something online via a course or a video on YouTube or simply just start by yourself. If you want to teach something, find a local community centre.. perhaps they can offer it for free? There are always options but you must take the first steps.. 

Feeling inspired? Good 🙂 Now sit back and let these moments of happiness come into your mind. Think back to the last time you were laughing, truly smiling and loving an activity. It time to restart your life and find the balance that you are seeking.. Good luck xx

p.s if you want to know what brings me joy, well you’re reading it 🙂