What’s Joy Got to Do With It?

Nothing in life seems easy, especially lately. Maybe that’s why there has been an emergence of joy, even in politics. Since when have we associated joy with politics? Not until now. Is it realistic to think that a political party could bring about widespread joy? I’m not sure about that, but it is a sign of what people are wanting and missing out of their lives - more joy.

As a society, we’ve tried filling our joy-gap with quick fixes of things that make us feel good in the moment, like social media scrolling, Netflix binging, and those big, sweet coffee treats. And, it’s true, these things do make us feel good for a moment. But soon the dopamine response wears off and we eventually need more of the same to feel the same. For example, what used to be one coffee treat a day turns into five. Or, what used to be 15 mins of social media, now has turned into an hour of scrolling. 

Many of these quick-fixes can give us happiness. Happiness is a feeling that is like a spark of joy. It is typically short-lived, and a result of external factors. Joy is a sustained, deeper state of emotion that comes from within and stays with us no matter what, even when things get bad. Sustained joy is typically correlated with a sense of purpose, gratitude, and connection to a greater good. So instead of turning to things outside of ourselves, the trick is to turn inward and learn more about ourselves and what truly gives us joy. 

There is an art and science to finding joy, which is why it is so important to work with an experienced, certified, and credentialed professional. A qualified coach can help you uncover your true self and focus on what really matters to you and brings you joy. Different from therapy, which typically focuses on something that has happened in the past, coaching is focused on taking action steps towards your vision for the future. How often do you get a chance to take time just for you? How often is the person you are talking to 100% focused on helping you achieve your dreams? What time and money is better spent than on moving you towards your goals? 

My path to more joy started with coaching. I continue to work with a coach to this very day and have found it is an instrumental part of continued personal growth and overall well being. Sharing coaching with others is what brings me joy. Helping others succeed in their goals. Supporting others on their path to discovery. Sharing helpful tips and tricks to make the journey less painful. And watching my clients build more joy into their lives is priceless.

So if you ask me “what’s joy got to do with it”? I’d say that joy has everything to do with it. A life without joy isn’t much of a life. In the words of Mary Oliver’s:

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give into it. Joy is not meant to be a crumb.”