One of the most beneficial things we can embrace about life is tapping into our own unique sources of happiness and discovering what brings us joy. Through exploring our passions, connecting with loved ones, and embracing simple moments, we can uncover joy hidden in hobbies, nature, art, or acts of kindness. It’s a treasure hunt within ourselves, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and contented life.
While happiness and joy both represent positive emotions and are often synonymous and interchangeable, I see them as differing in one significant way: how long-lasting they are. Happiness seems more fleeting—a bright, beautiful spark influenced by events like achieving a goal, receiving good news, or enjoying a pleasurable moment. What makes joy distinct is its endurance, something that emanates from within and is not solely reliant on external circumstances.
Depending on your own perceptions of the two, joy is more like a steady flame that warms our hearts. It’s a state of being that transcends momentary pleasure, offering a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment. Its initial influence may come from happiness, which can point to what nurtures our inner world, but joy also brings meaning—it becomes the essence of a well-lived life, while happiness is a delightful bonus along the way.
Discovering how to manifest joy requires self-exploration and self-awareness; time invested in reflecting on past moments, and paying attention to when and where (or with whom) contentment was previously found. Every so often, joy comes from unexpected places, especially when we try new things or step out of our comfort zone.
Experiencing joy also involves letting go of what no longer serves us or that perpetuates unhealthy patterns. Making room for joy can involve identifying and reducing activities, relationships, or obligations that drain our energy and happiness.
Once we recognize what nourishes our spirit and soul, we will always have the ability to tap into it, even when obstacles that negatively impact our well-being arise. Having access to sources of personal joy does not mean we will constantly feel its radiance; sometimes life’s challenges cast a heavy shadow. However, joy does not disappear in the dark; it remains within us, waiting for when we are ready to reclaim it.
At its core, joy becomes a radiant, contagious and inspiring emotion. When we experience it, it ripples outward and uplifts our mood, attitude and behaviour. This shift within us can manifest as increased kindness, empathy and creativity towards ourselves and those around us. It fuels optimism, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with resilience. This is when joy becomes limitless and unbound; its transformative power lies not merely in its ability to elevate us as individuals but also in its capacity to bring people together.
The possibilities for where joy can transport us are endless. I recommend uncovering the things that foster gratitude and delight and then spending time implementing them. Taking a moment for a delicious cup of coffee, watching an episode of a favourite TV show, or going on some outside adventures, for example, are food for the soul.
How do you make time for joy in your life?
Further Info:
The Effects of Joy on Your Body – Healthline
An 85-year Harvard Study Found the No. 1 Thing That Makes Us Happy In life – CNBC
This is part of my M.T.N Poetry Collection: If you wish to share my poetry on Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter, please tag my corresponding accounts and link to my website; do not edit my work or remove/crop out my name or site address from being clearly visible within the post. For all other purposes, please contact me for permission so that information regarding terms of usage can be provided. Thank you.
transatlantic | notes 
I think joy is present for all of us if we are open to it. I try to take time to savour even the simplest of things in every day life. Like the chickadees chirping on my deck on Sunday afternoon, or the sky painted by the evening’s sunset. The more we cultivate joy through simple things, the more we find it in other ways.
That’s the beauty of joy, it can be found in the small things, and becomes available whenever to tap into whenever we need it. And, as you say, by appreciating these little moments/activities, we allow joy to continue to grow. Thanks for reading!
Interesting post as always…so many things in life are designed to bring happiness, it’s just so easy to let the clouds cover up the joy
It’s very true, there is a lot going on in the world, and around us personally that can make focusing on joy that much harder. Hopefully this is a good reminder to do what brings us meaningful happiness.
Finding what makes you happy and your soul happy is so important x
Lucy |
I agree; it’s essential to our overall health and well-being.
Joy to me is being able to myself without scared of being judge. And I’m living that live now ^_^
I absolutely love this perspective, and it’s so great you live like that. Thank you for sharing that!
Your comment about, “Making room for joy” resonates so strongly with me. I think it’s all too easy to get caught up with the nif naf of life and forget to make time and space for the things that really matter, making room for joy being one of them. Lovely post, Molly!
This is exactly how I feel, and I LOVE the expression ‘nif naf’ as that describes it perfectly. I get so caught up in stuff like that and forget to make space for joy. I am so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way, and that this resonated with you!
I absolutely love this, friend! I think too many times we complicate adding joy in our lives. There can be so much going on all at once that it seems that’s our only focus, I’m very guilty of this at times. What I’m learning lately is that really centering in on being present, taking notes of gratitude and enjoying those simple, little moments like having my morning coffee, working through my planner for the day ahead, etc., is just so helpful in seeing what bring me true joy. I’m always trying to find ways to get rid of those unnecessary stressors that drain my energy.
Hope you are having a fantastic day! 🙂
This is exactly it — being able to take a moment to centre ourselves and be intentional with how we make time for what brings us joy. I love the idea of actually looking at what we do throughout the day and noticing when, what or where certain things actually drain us or add stress — then we can do something about them. Thanks for sharing your throughts!
I find my joy in time to myself and playing piano. It really recharges me!
Corinne x
What a beautifully written and inspiring post! Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
I am so happy you enjoyed it; thanks so much for stopping by to read it!
I agree there is a difference between happiness, which is more temporary, and joy, which is lasting. I loved your poem because we should all make room for joy in our lives.
I think sometimes we are focused on finding happiness, not always realizing it lies in the things that bring us joy — and that this is more long-lasting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and enjoying the poem!
What a good read! I just started my Little Joys series in my blog recently. And I love the fact that reading something like this will be a reminder for us not to forget counting our blessing regularly.
I love the idea of your blog series, it sound like a great way to focus on all that brings joy into life. I will have to check it out!
Love the poem & the context behind it. I find joy in many things – writing, playing with my toddler, getting out in nature.
I am so glad you enjoyed this; it sounds like you have some wonderful sources of joy to tap into!
Very inspiring and true, love everything about this and I would read it again and again. Thank you for sharing!
I am so happy you enjoyed reading this; thank you so much for stopping by!
This is indeed a beautiful reminder to look within and explore our inner self.
Your post is such motivation!
This is great to hear; it’s always good to connect with the things that make our lives better!
Joy means many things to me. But most of all self-care and taking care of others brings me joy. Nice blog post.
I love this answer! Taking care of ourselves and others are wonderful things to give and receive joy from.