5 simple ways to cultivate more joy in your life

There’s a tendency to associate joy with the big moments in life - a promotion, getting engaged, your son’s graduation, keys to a new house, the holiday of a lifetime. However, there’s evidence to suggest finding and cultivating joy in smaller routine moments has significant and ongoing benefits for wellbeing, reduction in stress and greater positivity. In other words: overall happiness.

When the pressure is on at work and home, it’s easy to overlook potential moments of joy and breeze past them in pursuit of the next responsibility or task. So we’ve put together some simple ways to spark joyfulness in the everyday.

Savour your first cup of coffee without any distraction

If you are anything like me, your first sip of coffee for the day [insert other beverage of your choice] is a sweet moment.

Though if you’re already scrolling by then, you might be too distracted to notice the aroma, the smoothness of the frothy milk, the comfort it brings. 

Giving your first cup of coffee your undivided attention amplifies those sensations and the pleasure they bring.

Create a clever connection

Making a point of helping others is a surefire way to feel good.

It’s likely you have a wide network of colleagues and associates, many with common goals or interests. In no more than a few moments you can connect people you know with a quick email or LinkedIn message. 

The powerful potential in that connection could create something amazing for those people. A small investment in your time has the possibility of paying back in future satisfaction multiple times over when you learn later about the incredible things that took place as a result.

Declutter by one item a day

The longing for less stuff in your life is probably equal to the lack of time you have available for a home decluttering project.

Decluttering by one item a day is a brilliantly simple way to firstly move towards clutter free zones - and then build towards a clutter free room - and over time - a whole dwelling.
Day by day the home you once loved reveals itself. 
And don’t be put off by the idea of a tip trip. There are loads of charities and councils at the ready to receive or even collect your items.  (DM us for our suggestions!)

Extra satisfaction in knowing your items will go on to benefit someone else.

Send a thank you

Recognition, especially when unexpected, brings a burst of sunshine to the day of the receiver.

No gift necessary. Spontaneous compliments and supportive words are enough to make someone’s day. 

Could you go one further and set up a Teams or Slack channel where teammates can regularly acknowledge each other’s contributions big and small?

It’s a zero cost way to bask in the pleasure of someone else’s elation.

I’d love to hear about the ways you might cultivate joy in the everyday - do drop me a line with your thoughts so we can feature them.