what brings you joy?

I have been struggling about what to write or post here and on Facebook and Instagram.  My usual quotes and food and exercise tips just seemed to be too small, too insignificant, too unimportant compared to what's going on in the world right now.  So I have stayed under the radar, contemplating and wondering for the last month and a half.  

But here's the thing:  We are not going back to "normal."  Even when we all begin to come out of our homes and get together and convene in larger groups, it isn't going to be the way it was.  We will have a "new normal," and I am not sure exactly when that's going to happen.  So I have decided that I am going to do what brings me joy in this moment, and that is to spread the good word of health, wellness, self-love, and self-acceptance.  

I declare this day as the day I start again.  Even though I am still at home, I come back out into the light and  onto the interwebs to pick up where I left off.  

I encourage you to do the same thing.  Get back in touch with the things that bring you joy.  In fact, right now, take a few minutes and make a list of at least 10 things that bring you joy.  Put it on your fridge or your bathroom mirror, and try to do one small thing from the list each day.  Even though you may feel kind of guilty doing something joyful during this crazy time of sadness and uncertainty, remind yourself that there is room in our hearts and in our lives to hold space for sadness and joy.  It's all part of life, and it's okay to open ourselves up to feel it all.  

Here is an example of things that are on my joy list:

extra time reading
sitting on the back deck listening to music
Facetiming my favorite people
taking walks
taking a nap
listening to an Audiobook or podcast
doing something creative
writing a note to someone 
texting or Snapchatting favorite people
tiny home improvement projects (like really tiny-- like organizing a drawer)

Here is a great article if you are interested in learning more about all the "feels."

Cheers to a little joy, and a new normal. ❤