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Best Tips to Live a More Joyful Life
It’s easy to get stuck when trying to figure out how to live a more joyful life. In an age of social media and consumerism, it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing or being or buying and feeling like our situation is not good enough.
You may feel like you are the only person who struggles with self-doubt, anger or loneliness. But let me assure you, you are not. Everyone is looking for how to create a more joyful life. They just don’t like to admit it. Especially not on Facebook.
When I first started being intentional about choosing joy in my life. It wasn’t easy. I had to let go of a lot of my own ego and pride and look hard at who I was and what I actually wanted versus what I said I wanted.
What is Joy?
My definition of joy is an attitude or a feeling that you create inside your own mind and heart, regardless of your circumstances or the actions of those around you. It is a choice you make moment to moment to live from your highest self and give the best possible motivations to those around you.
Joy is not the same as happiness. Though I am not opposed to experiencing some good old fashioned happiness. But happiness usually comes from the outside, from other people’s actions that benefit you in some way.
There is also a lot written about joy in the Bible, and it definitely does have an important place in religion. But I believe that joy exists whether one subscribes to a particular religious or spiritual tradition. If you do, I think you will find that many of the aspects of a joyful life I discuss will complement your religious views.
Why do I not Feel Like I am Living a Joyful Life?
Many of you may struggle with a lack of joy because you don’t realize that we have control over your thoughts and emotions. Our society teaches us that things happen, we react, we feel an emotion, and we act on that emotion.
If you have ever wondered if that is true, try turning on one of those daytime TV “talk” shows. You know the ones I mean, the ones with girls screaming at each other over the same man; or adult siblings screaming at their abusive parent, who is screaming right back at them. These people never had an emotion that they didn’t let completely run their lives.
I lived the same way for many years. My parents did not model healthy emotions and I never knew that anyone had a choice about how to react to a situation until I was well into adulthood because I had never seen anyone else do it before.
Once I realized that my life could be different, that I could choose to have a joyful life, I began to consciously make a decision practice
Best Tips to Finally Living a Joyful Life
Make the decision
Just make a commitment to yourself to stop reacting and start choosing to act with intention.
Keep track
Smile
It’s easier to feel the joy when your body is already acting the part.
Do something kind for someone else
Helping someone else live a joyful life will increase your own joy exponentially.
Take a walk
Pretty much anytime you’re out in nature, you will automatically feel calmer and more joyful. Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. I know you can feel it.
Unplug
It doesn’t really seem like a coincidence that we are in the midst of a joy crisis as social media and time spent on screens increases. Go outside, read a book, eat a home cooked meal with friends or family, visit a neighbor. All of these things are guaranteed to increase joy in life.
Notice the bright side
Optimism may be an inborn temperament, but it is also a skill that can be learned. Practice looking at the silver lining in those clouds and soon your friends and coworkers will be looking to you to see how to live a joyful life.
Get aquainted with color!
It’s difficult to stay angry, sad, frustrated, or upset in the face of fun, vibrant colors. Wear those red shoes! Pick up a bright paisley umbrella! Paint a piece of furniture in a primary color. Be bold!
Readers’ Tips for Living a More Joyful Life Coming Soon…
Deciding to Live a More Joyful Life is so Worth it!
A more joyful life doesn’t need to cost any money. It doesn’t need to take any more of your time than you’re already spending. You may choose to add things to your life that bring your more joy, but you don’t need to. All you need to do is make a decision and keep deciding to find more joy in your life. And if you keep doing that, you will create a joyful life beyond your current imagination.
Please click the button below to share a tip or two on how you live a joyful life. I’d love to learn from you!
