12 Simple Ways For You to Choose Joy Right Now
You hear the words “choose joy” everywhere nowadays. It almost seems cliché. It’s such a simple concept but it has a wealth of meaning. Choosing joy can make all the difference in your world — everyday!
Let’s take a quick look at 12 simple ways you can choose joy right now that will have a positive impact on your life! You want to be happy in life, right? Then learn to CHOOSE JOY and see the world through the lens of a JOYFUL MINDSET! Choosing joy is not just a biblical concept — it’s a lifestyle concept!
Today I choose joy — and everyday!
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
~ Henri Nouwen
12 Simple Ways to Choose Joy Right Now to Bring You Happiness
There are Choose Joy devotionals and books, journals and scriptures, songs and quotes. Choosing joy doesn’t need to be biblical or deep — it can be as simple as you want to make it. There are many resources available to guide you if you want to make it a big, long-term project. Or you can make it simple and look as these 12 ways to choose joy right now. Either way, do it YOUR WAY to improve YOUR LIFE — make this effort about YOU.
Look INSIDE — DEEP INSIDE YOURSELF — and decide what brings happiness to your soul. Is it sunshine? Music? Peace? Sparkles? Which of your five senses bring you the most joy? Reflect on times when you have been the happiest and think about kind of mindset you had at the time. Think about what or whom you chose to surround yourself with at that time. Adjust this list accordingly based on your self reflection. Strive to live a balanced life of happiness — body, mind, and spirit.
1. Shift Your Attention
Shift your attention away from your troubles. Change your mindset. Focus on everything and anything that is GOOD around you. The little things in life can bring a tremendous amount of joy if you just look for things that bring JOY to our world. Flowers, butterflies, animals, sunshine, waves, rainbows, leaves falling off the trees… you get the idea. There so many ways to bring more cozy and joy into your life if you just shift your attention to the positive.
2. Learn to Compartmentalize
Keep your troubles and challenges in a special compartment in the back of your brain and only let them out when you need to deal with them. You will always know they are there, they aren’t going anywhere until the problems are resolved, but your troubles do NOT need to control your life. Go back to #1 and think about focusing on the positive things in your life while the troubles are compartmentalized.
3. Laugh
It doesn’t matter whether you’re laughing with friends or watching a funny TV show — laughing is a natural mood booster. It actually produces hormones that lift your spirit and help keep your mind, body, and soul in balance. Turn on your favorite comedy TV show and enjoy it! Joy is an attitude — it’s a perspective from which you see the world. Let laughter guide your attitude and bring you joy.
4. Bless the Mess
Is your life in shambles? Are the people around you making you crazy? Is there clutter everywhere? BE THANKFUL. You have more than some people have, right? You might have a messy life, but compared to others, it’s probably not so bad if you keep ALL THINGS in perspective. Learn to think of your crazy life as a blessing because it’s YOUR LIFE — it’s uniquely yours — so bless the mess!
5. Control the Controllables (Forget the Rest)
You can only control some things in life, you know? Some things are out of your control and there is no sense in worrying about them because WORRY will not change the outcome. Don’t let worry take up space in your brain. It throws off your mental balance and makes it harder to keep a positive, healthy mindset that will bring you JOY. You can control what YOU DO and SAY and FEEL, but you can’t control others or the circumstances around you. Don’t let uncontrollables steal your joy.
6. Be Grateful
Take the time to send a text message, or call an old friend, to reconnect and show gratitude for the people in your life who bring you happiness. Focus on the fun times, the times you laughed together. Never underestimate the power of gratitude — it helps heal the heart and develop a positive mindset. And a positive mindset is a necessary when you choose joy. Gratitude supports a positive mindset, which supports an attitude of joy. Remember, joy is a lens through which you see the world.
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7. Choose to Believe It’s Okay Not to Be Okay Sometimes
Let’s face the truth about joy and happiness — life is not ALWAYS going to be joyful and happy! There are going to be times when it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude of joy. Always remember that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes, as long as you pull yourself out from under the rock and move forward in a reasonable amount of time. Feel your feelings and acknowledge your emotions. Accept that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes instead of ignoring your feelings. Then move on.
8. Accept Imperfection
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are not perfect and neither is anyone else. Don’t compare yourself to others who “look” like they have a better life than you. It’s not always greener on the other side, you know? But sometimes we have to remember that. It can set you back on your efforts to choose joy if you are wasting brain space on worrying about imperfection or comparisons. You are perfect just the way you are and need to accept all your beautiful imperfections. In fact, your life, as well as the lives of people around you, are ALL beautifully imperfect. Don’t compare your life to the highlight reels of others’ lives.
9. Wear Your Favorite Earrings
Don’t laugh! This is one of my favorites ways to choose joy! I don’t need a special occasion or a fancy outfit to wear my favorite earrings. If I need a pick-me-up, I put on my favorite sparkly or dangly earrings and wear them around the house, or to Walmart, or wherever I am going! I might even wear them with my favorite pink raggedy sweat suit! Just because I choose joy and they make me SMILE!
10. Take a Walk Outside
Admittedly, I am not an outdoorsy person. (By any means!) But the beauty of nature and the fresh air will always help improve your attitude and mindset if you are having trouble choosing joy. Fresh air helps to clear your mind of negative thoughts, and the beauty of nature helps you refocus on the little things that can bring you joy. So get outside and take a walk to help you choose joy. You’ll be surprised how much it helps.
11. Create Quiet Time
Create quiet time for yourself each day. Actually schedule it into your routine every single day. Make self care a priority 365 days a year so you can reflect, or write in your journal, or meditate, or do yoga. Use the time for whatever you want to do JUST FOR YOU. You deserve it. And the quiet time will allow your body, mind, and soul to relax and refresh. Choosing joy will be much easier with a well-rested mind that isn’t dealing with the chaos and overwhelm that comes with life sometimes.
12. Turn off the News
Phew! I can certainly get caught up in what’s happening on the NEWS 24/7 if I don’t make myself turn OFF the television! And to be honest, the news is mostly a place of negativity and depressing information. But you can easily get caught up in an interesting story, or the chaos of what’s happening around the world, if you’re not careful to TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES. Don’t let the news poison your mindset — it will make it more challenging to choose joy!
Final Thoughts: 12 Simple Ways to Choose Joy
So why is choosing joy important? Did you know that studies show joyful people have less chance of having a heart attack? There’s also research that indicates JOY boosts your immune system, helps you fight stress and pain, and improves your chance of living longer. Have a joyful mindset and you’ll have a healthier, happier life!
Choosing joy also supports personal growth and development goals by focusing on mindset, positivity, attitude, health, stress management, and so much more.
So choosing joy isn’t just a cliché like we might have thought! There are very REAL and IMPORTANT reasons to choose joy! I hope you choose to see the world through a JOYFUL lens!
Lisa Leonard is a blogger who tells a beautifully inspired story about how she came to choose joy. I didn’t read it until after I wrote this article, but much of what she shares is similar to what I’ve shared here. But her story is very personal — surrounding the acceptance of her disabled nephew. It is very touching. I think you’ll enjoy it.
I hope you’ve found some value in these words that will help you choose joy. Let me close with this Choose Joy quote from an unknown author:
“Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated. Look for small opportunities for happiness in the moment you are in right now. Otherwise, you might run out of time. We can’t often choose our circumstances, but we can better control our reactions and emotions. Choose small moments of joy.”
~ Unknown
Make it a point to CHOOSE JOY — let joy be the lens through which you view the world! And you will find happiness!
Love to ALL! ~ Susan
