Tune IN: Is the experience of BEING YOU joyful?
Most of my clients tell me that they wish they could simply enjoy their lives more.
That they could be more joyful.
They don’t necessarily want more stuff in their lives, but they wish they could really take more pleasure in what they already have.
For example, they wish they could…
… enjoy their kids more instead of getting wrapped up in to-do’s, laundries, and checklists.
…. enjoy their bodies more instead of constantly criticizing how they look.
… enjoy their relationships more effortlessly instead of feeling like it’s another chore.
Personally, I can very much relate to the desire for JOY.
Feeling joy in my life is well… everything, really.
So I want to let you in on a little secret:
We don’t mysteriously find joy one day. Joy doesn’t stumble upon us.
We cultivate it.
We choose it over and over.
We make it a priority.
There are two ways of inviting more joy:
The first is the more obvious one where we begin TO DO and ENGAGE in more things that bring us joy. This one is so important and a great way of honoring yourself. For instance, I help my clients get really clear on what brings them joy (however audacious it might be… I like audacious ;)) and how to set up systems that allow for joy to be a frequent visitor.
The second, however, is more subtle but just as (if not more) powerful: it is to BECOME more joyful simply by who you are and how you show up!
Let me explain:
The first one is the experience of joy coming in from the outside… think, joyful experiences, people, events etc. The second one makes you the generator of joy because you take joy in BEING YOU.
The only real requirement for the latter one is this: knowing yourself really well and being willing to fully embody yourself in whatever way feels joyful.
For me, making my experience of BEING ME joyful, means things like:
leading with humor in my own mind’s conversations with myself
meeting myself with compassion when I have a hard day
making others smile and feel seen and cared for
honoring the fact that I really like adorning myself with fabrics, jewelry etc. that ground me into how I feel an any given day
stimulating my interests and hobbies even in small, subtle, creative ways
getting outside into nature daily
When I let myself BE like that, I feel joy no matter what my external circumstances are.
And you want to know something else:
EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF BEING JOYFUL AND FEELING JOY IN THEIR LIFE.
If you are ready for this, then I invite you to journal on the following three questions:
Is the experience of BEING YOU joyful?
If not or only sometimes, then ask yourself: Why not? What gets in the way? When is being you not joyful?
What are two things you need to change to make space for BECOMING a more joyful version of you? (HINT: think about how you can shift your attitude, your expectations of yourself, letting go of certain fears or worries and/or what actions you need to take e.g. boundaries with people who extinguish your spark, getting more help, finally having a difficult conversation etc.)
This is a free flow journaling exercise. Don’t filter yourself. Just write and see what wants to emerge.
Sending you love!
xo
Caroline
PS: If you would like help with becoming a more joyful person, I’d love to help. I am accepting new clients now for January. Submit a coaching & mentorship consultation here and I’ll be in touch within 48 hours to see if we are a good fit.
