Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that the quicker we will be able to Treat life as art.
Maya Angelou
I spend a lot of time writing about the value of leaning into life—without needing it to be different. In other words, I’m usually encouraging you to feel your feelings (whatever they may be) and to embrace the suck when it shows up on your doorstep.
It’s important work. And I take it seriously—both in my personal practice and my everyday life. Everything I share here comes directly from my own lived experience.
I’m all about living life on life’s terms and surrendering to the flow.
But sometimes…I need a break, a moment to step away from the deep, dark healing work and intentionally engage with the lighter side of life. Learning to let joy in is every bit as necessary as accepting life’s challenges
Life isn’t just good or bad, struggle or ease—it’s a constantly shifting blend of all of it. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster, other times a gently bobbing boat and occasionally it’s the whole storming sea.
Joy Spotting
This week, inspired by Alex Elle’s Gratitude Journal newsletter, I gave myself permission to pivot and practice a powerfully effective technique she calls “joy spotting”.
It’s exactly what it sounds like—the act of looking for joy.
After a long stretch of heaviness and heartache, I was ready to notice what was going right. What I wasn’t prepared for was how fast and fully this practice would shift my mindset.
Using Gratitude as an Entry Point for Joy
I dipped my toe into the practice with gratitude. Joy felt a little out of reach, but I knew I could find something to be grateful for. So whenever I felt low, stuck in rumination, or caught up in negativity, I paused and looked for something obvious to feel grateful for.
In the morning… “I’m grateful for a fresh cup of coffee. Just the way I like it.”
Then I’d keep going:
“I’m grateful for the French Press I made it in” “And my trusty pink mug that’s been keeping my beverages hot for years”
When I was out driving around…
“I’m grateful for this little community.”
“For this reliable, comfortable truck.”
“That the roads are dry.”
Hanging out with my teen…… “I’m grateful that I get to be this kid’s mom” “For the opportunity to spend quality time with him” “That he is so funny, kind and such good company.”
Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The more I named, the more I noticed.
By the end of the week, something shifted. Gratitude and joy had flipped. I’d be going about my day when something small—some quiet, seemingly insignificant detail—would spark joy. I’d feel a swell in my chest, and suddenly I’d be overcome with gratitude for whatever small blessing had caught my eye.
And because It was becoming a habit, I’d slip right back into another gratitude tirade. It felt like an upward spiral. Honestly, it was almost exhausting trying to keep up with the sheer magnitude of abundance available to me at any given moment.
Did I have low moments? Of course. I cried. I felt the weight of the very real things happening in my life. But there was balance. I didn’t feel so lost in the weeds of my own suffering.
It no longer felt like I was stranded on a lonely, forsaken island of misery. Instead, it was more like a quiet room I could step into when something inside me needed to be dealt with. A space to feel it all…and a way back out when the time came. A path to the other side.
10 out of 10, Would recommend
If you’ve also been going through it lately, why not try incorporating gratitude into your upcoming week? I promise, you will not regret it.
Start with one small thanks.
You don’t have to force anything. Just sit back and notice what’s good in this moment.
Are you wearing your favorite shirt? Did you have something delicious for breakfast? Can you find a ray of sunlight to step into?
Find one thing to be grateful for—and then let yourself bask in the wonder of how big the smallest blessings can feel.
Let it be simple. Let it be enough. Then, watch how it grows.
Yoga For Stress Free Mornings | Black Yogi Nico Marie
11 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I am Grateful for quick and gentle morning yoga classes—this one is the first of two i’ll be sharing this week.
I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I’ve been leaning on these kinds of practices to get me going in the mornings. When I wake up extra tired (and extra grumpy), I look for something short and soothing to pair with a long, luxurious Yoga Nidra.
This class was perfect for that.
Awaken Your Body | 10 Minute Morning Yoga Stretch | Yoga With Bird
10 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I am Grateful for Bird! I truly believe she’s the queen of quick and satisfying yoga classes. This one is on the gentler side, but it was just right on a morning when I woke up waaay too early and needed to move my body before settling into a long Yoga Nidra.
I think you’ll love it too.
Yoga Nidra For Physical Health and Deep Healing | Kristnn Rose Yoga
1 Hour 9 Minutes | All Levels
I am grateful for…..you guessed it! Super long, indulgent Yoga Nidra Sessions! I love this Nidra because it is so simple. No bells or whistles. Easily one of the most restorative Nidras I’ve tried. I was having a rough morning when I practiced it… but afterward? I rolled over and slept for another hour and a half. On the floor.
Now that’s a good Nidra.
Joy Spotting Is Hard | Gratitude Journal | Alex Elle
Here is the piece that inspired this whole issue. I read it last week and decided to give Joy Spotting a try. Obviously, I played fast and loose with Alex’s idea, but that’s the beauty of a practice like this. You can easily make it your own. If you read the issue, you will find a lot of inspiring and practical ideas for incorporating this into your life. Happy Joy Spotting!!
I only have one question for you this week:
What are you grateful for?
Answer it as often as you can.
On your commute. In bed at night.
At work, with your family, around the dinner table.
Answer it. Then answer it again.
Have a wonderful week. See you next Sunday!