Finding Your Joy: Why It Matters More Than You Think
When I first started working with a health coach, I expected to talk about nutrition, exercise, and maybe stress management. What I didn’t expect was to have a spotlight shone so brightly on something that felt… almost too simple to matter: joy.
But here’s what I learned, joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling you stumble across on a good day. It’s not luck. It’s not accidental. Joy is a core pillar of your wellbeing. It shapes your mindset, your energy, your resilience, and ultimately, your happiness.
And perhaps most importantly, joy is something you have to actively create.
Joy Is Not Passive
We often think of joy as something that just “happens” to us. A nice moment. A good surprise. A burst of laughter.
And yes, sometimes it does show up unexpectedly.
But real, lasting joy? That takes effort.
You have to:
Make the time for it
Invest energy into what lights you up
And most importantly, be present enough to actually feel it
Joy requires intention. It asks you to choose it, again and again.
Why Joy Matters
Joy isn’t a luxury. It’s not something reserved for weekends, holidays, or “when life calms down.”
It’s essential.
When you prioritise joy:
You reduce stress and burnout
You build emotional resilience
You improve your mental and physical health
You reconnect with yourself and what truly matters
Joy fuels you. It keeps you going when motivation fades. It reminds you why you’re doing any of this in the first place.
What Brings Me Joy
Part of the journey is discovering what genuinely brings you joy, not what looks good on paper, not what others expect, but what truly fills your cup.
For me, joy shows up in simple, meaningful ways:
Volunteering – giving back and feeling part of something bigger
Helping others – especially supporting people in finding their joy
Seeing others thrive – there’s something incredibly powerful about witnessing someone reconnect with themselves
Yoga and wellbeing festivals – spaces that feel energising, grounding, and inspiring all at once
Coastal walks – fresh air, open space, and that sense of calm you can’t quite replicate anywhere else
Time with friends - its sacred
These aren’t just activities, they’re anchors. They bring me back to myself.
Finding Your Joy
If you’re not sure what brings you joy yet, that’s okay. It’s not always obvious, especially if life has been busy, stressful, or overwhelming.
Start small:
What makes you lose track of time?
What leaves you feeling lighter afterwards?
What did you love doing before life got in the way?
Then, this is the important part, schedule it. Treat joy like a priority, not an afterthought.
Because it is.
Finding your joy isn’t a one-time discovery. It’s an ongoing relationship. It evolves as you do.
But one thing stays constant: it’s worth the effort.
So give yourself permission to seek it out. To protect it. To build your life around it.
