Choose Joy During Hard Times

Life is full of ups and downs.  This year has been no exception.  When you’re feeling all the pain, worry, and stress, shift your focus to the positive.  You can still feel joy and sadness at the same time.  Do not dismiss the feeling of happiness just because you feel sadness.  If you’ve lost something this year and feel in despair, it’s okay to still laugh, smile, and feel a sense of joy in your life.  Both can be felt simultaneously.  If you want to get through your difficult time you must let some light in instead of holding onto the darkness.  When you choose joy, you will feel more equipped to get through the hard times.  Here is how to choose joy during hard times.

Schedule Your Joy

If it’s not scheduled, it’s not real and happening.  If you want to experience more joy in your life then you must schedule it on your calendar.  It won’t magically appear.  You must plan out time in your day to do things that will bring you joy.  Make these items easy to achieve by focusing on the small things rather than big, expensive, and hard to get to things.  Your joy does not need a huge price tag.  The little things can be just as important and fill you with joy.  Whether it’s waking up a bit earlier to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or quiet time to read, block off time in your schedule to do these things that make you happy.

Begin With Joy

Start your day with joy.  Instead of waking up and getting sucked into comparing your life on social media, or swept into the latest bad news, begin your day with joy.  Play upbeat music, read, stretch, or listen to an inspirational audio.  Make time to consume a motivation book, podcast, or video in the morning to start your day off right.  Choose not let negativity into your morning routine.  Rather, find something that fuels you with positivity.  When you begin your morning with joy, you’ll be more likely to carry this attitude with you throughout the rest of the day.

Let Your Feelings Out

If you find yourself feeling down or getting caught up in negativity throughout the day, take a moment and breath.  Close your eyes and do some deep breathing for a minute.  This may feel like the longest minute of your life but recognize when you need to take a break.  Sometimes you can feel like you’re on system overload where you can’t continue to let your emotions bottle up.  Lunch time may be a perfect time to let your feelings out.  Allow yourself to embrace your feelings and recognize what’s making you feel this way.  Something will trigger your sadness.  Know that it’s okay to feel that way.  Take a few moments to be in that space.  Let your feelings be seen and heard.  You may need to journal, cry, or talk to someone.  You’ll feel better after you’ve let your feelings out.  You can only choose joy once you’ve addressed how you’re truly feeling deep inside.

End With Joy

At the end of the day, list three things you’re grateful for.  Focus on the little positive notes that happened during the day.  Most of all, you’ve made it.  That’s what’s important.  Evening joy can be in the little acts of self care as you get ready for bed.  Spend time unwinding and taking care of yourself.  Go to bed early and try to get a restful night sleep.

You cannot live in the darkness forever.  The tunnel may seem very long and dark, but you can find the light if you choose to let it in.  Choose joy by scheduling it into your daily life.  Start your day with joy by listening to something inspirational.  Let your feelings out when they begin to feel like you’re emotionally carrying around too much.  You can do this by journaling, talking to someone, or simply crying.  Let your emotions be seen and heard.  Then, end your day with joy by making a gratitude list, unwinding before bed, and getting some much needed rest.  You can do this.  Show yourself love and practice self care.  Choose to find the joy, even when it’s difficult to do so.