The Ingredients Of Rediscovering Joy
If you're looking to spice up your mood and find joy or rediscover joy, I think you got to the right place.
Of course, there are times in our lives when every day feels like a struggle and we can't seem to escape the blues. But you know what? After every such period, there's another one full of sunshine. That's just the cycle of life, and we must take care of ourselves, make the most of it, and have as much fun as possible.
The last few months were bliss to my soul and I realized I made some significant changes in my life. All the changes that I consciously made, got me to the conclusion that I've never felt better.
And I'm going to share with you what I did to feel this way. It's a simple recipe, I promise. You just have to put some will into it and, of course, consistency.
🏋️♀️I started to work out
Six months ago, I began working out regularly with a personal trainer, three times a week. I have never felt so good physically, full of energy, and revitalized. My workouts take place in the morning, starting at 8:30 am, right after I drop my daughter off at kindergarten. The morning seems to be the perfect time of day for me to exercise.
I have a bit of a problem sometimes with consistency when it comes to sticking to things, but I must say, working out is an exception. And this time it just doesn't feel like a struggle, you know?
📚I read
I read way more than I used to read several months ago, for example. Reading is one of my most relaxing habits and when I put my hands on a good thriller, becomes very hard to put it down. I read mostly non-fictional books, thrillers, crimes, autobiographies, and memoirs.
👐I took care of my emotions
Some periods can be draining, full of stress, and negative emotions, and it is so vital to listen to your emotions, observe where they are coming from, and validate them. Offer yourself kindness and a big hug!
📷I took a step back from social media
On December 1st, I deleted the Instagram app from my phone, but I found myself occasionally opening it from my mobile browser. I'm not sure if this is making me feel better or not. However, one thing I do know for sure is that I have more time now to invest in something that is more meaningful to me, like reading, listening to a podcast, or learning something new.
🍝I cooked. A lot
I absolutely adore cooking and eating - sometimes more eating than cooking, ha! Providing good and healthy food for my family is one of my biggest goals. In fact, over the last few months, I've been experimenting with so many delicious recipes and have shared some truly wonderful moments with my family around our dinner table. It's been an absolute joy!
👧I spent (even) more time with my daughter
Typically, I have limited time to spend with my daughter during the day. She returns from kindergarten at around 5:30pm and goes to bed at 8pm. Being an active and interactive toddler, I frequently seek out new activities and events for us to participate in together. This allows us to meet new people and have a great time together. The time I spend with her and the time we as a family spend together is priceless!
😌I slept well
I rarely have trouble sleeping. I usually go to bed around 10pm and aim to fall asleep by 11pm. I set my morning alarm for 7am, which gives me a full 8 hours of sleep. This amount of rest does wonders for my mood. Most nights, I refrain from using my phone before sleeping. Instead, I prefer watching inoffensive programs such as National Geographic's series about airport security systems or food shows.
👩💻I found a mentor
After many years of searching for someone who shares my vision and has the expertise to guide and mentor me, I believe I have finally found that person. I am excited about the prospect of building great things with her help and becoming an even better version of myself professionally.
✍️I continued to work on my hobbies
Writing is one of my passions, so I continued to consistently create content for my blog which gives me great satisfaction. Additionally, I invested even more time in mentoring people who wish to switch careers and pursue software testing.
I also remained involved with tech communities in my city and brainstormed ways to expand my knowledge and provide mentoring opportunities.
🪫I stopped watching and reading the news
I have started being more mindful of what I read and watch. I have decided to stop consuming propagandistic newspapers and TV shows, while still keeping myself informed from more reliable sources. I don't intend to isolate myself from the world, but I strongly believe in the importance of accurate and unbiased information, especially in those exceptional times we're living in.
Hugs, M.