5 Ways to Feel More Joyous in the New Year

How to feel more joy in your everyday life? We ask! 

In celebration of our'Joy' Hoodies & T-shirts clothing line, let's look closer at joy and how we can experience it more in our everyday lives.

Here are the 5 ways to feel more joyous. 

1. Shift your focus.

‘I learnt to look for little pops of joy, instead of waiting to be happy.’ - Lauren Lott.

Joy increases when we notice the little things we often miss; the light on the leaves, the colour of ripe fruit, the warmth of water when we are washing the dishes. We refer to things like these as little pops of joy. Waiting for life to line up and things to go perfectly before we allow ourselves to be happy just doesn't work. However, perceiving what's good, true and beautiful in the ordinary and even on hard days, brings joy in. 

2. Practice Gratitude. 

“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” - Will Arnett.

Although it is not often said, there is a formula to experiencing increased joy. 

This is it - perceived good + gratitude = joy. 

When we take notice and be thankful, joy seems to pop up from the most peculiar places. It’s this practice that prevents us from getting stuck in our misery,  moving on and making the best of where we are. 

3. Spend time with people who are joyous.

“Happy people don’t have the best of everything; they make the best of everything.”- anonymous.

Joy is certainly infectious. When we hang out with people who are alive with wonder and generally see the glass half full, their perspective rubs off on us. It is beautifully refreshing to encounter someone who has had a few hard knocks and still is enthusiastic about what makes life great. Though there is a time for sorrow, joyful people always seem to find joy in the gaps. 

4. Practice being present. 

“As long as you are holding onto your past, the past is holding onto you; it’s keeping you from enjoying your present.”- David Arrington.

Joy exists nowhere but in the present. If we continue to live in years gone by, or in the dreams of what the future may be, we miss joy. Taking time to be wildly where you are, to be devoted to who or what is right in front of you will improve your chances of finding pleasure and delight. Often, we want to escape the present because it is stressful, boring or even painful, however when we do this, we also forgo the chance to experience true joy which is different from the elation of a fantasy or dream.

5. Be generous.

“Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given.” - Gautama.

Giving back when your heart is really in it is not only an effective way to improve the lives of others, it is also a way to increase joy in your own. When we give out of duty or obligation, joy rarely recognises our actions.  However, a willing heart finds great reward in giving.

Featured photo by Clay Banks