Finding and Chasing Your Joy

I’m a big believer in moms having something that brings them joy outside of the everyday of parenting. A way to remember you are a well-rounded woman, who has passions and skills, and you’re not afraid to use them! 

First, you need to find your joy. What have you loved doing in the past? Or what have you always wanted to learn, but never made the time for? Start there! For some, it’s simply having uninterrupted time to kick back and read, others want to learn more in depth cooking skills (not that our picky kids would appreciate that, but you know…). Some have an amazing concept just brewing in their mind ,and they need to put it into action with creating and running a business. Others find the greatest joy in volunteering for specific kinds of charities. 

If you aren’t really sure what will bring the greatest joy, start trying things that sound fun or interesting! Make it a much needed date night, or girls night out, or go try it on your own. Sometimes you have to really step out of your comfort zone and get over your insecurities to find your joy, but trust me it’ll be worth it. 

My pastor, Rev. Adam Hamilton, said something profound about joy that really resonated with me, and perhaps it will with you as well. He said “We rob ourselves of joy when we only do what’s safe, don’t take risks, and stay within our comfort zone.”

If you’re still struggling, you could always do a quick search on Google or Pinterest of “me time” ideas. There are tons of lists out there, and one or two of those items may pop out at you as something that sounds interesting! 

OK, so you get yourself out there and you find something that brings you joy, but now what? Now you chase that joy! Constantly, you need to be chasing it. This is especially important when our children are small and require endless energy and attention. It is far too easy for us to put ourselves on the back burner, but eventually our emotional bank becomes depleted and then everyone suffers. Fill that bank up and chase your joy! 

“Tag out” a couple of nights a month, leave the spouse at home with the kids and take a book to a nearby coffee shop. Pick an evening to give the kids pizza and then make you and your spouse an amazing dinner after the kids are in bed. Find a way to volunteer on a consistent basis, and at the same time be an amazing example to your children in the ways of serving others. Have an amazing idea or service you could provide to others? Get the ball rolling on that business plan and then execute it! Some of these things will be relaxing, and some will be far from it but will be rejuvenating in a different, yet equally awesome, way.

Eight years ago, I experimented with different things that might bring me joy, and I decided to finally buy that DSLR camera I always wanted (thanks to some savings bonds my grandparents had given me as a child). The leap turned into tremendous joy for me in learning how to use it and taking treasured photos of my children. Then, in a completely unexpected way, that joy turned into a portrait photography business (when I had four kids under 4 at home). Six years later, that business still brings me great joy! Aside from the whole tax paying thing, of course, but who said everything in life is 100% joy? {wink}

Find your joy, and then chase it down! You never know where it might take you.