Cultivating Gratitude: Creating a Joy List
Hi Friends!
I hope you’ve had a great May! I know I’m a little off my usual posting rhythm—this week threw me off with the Monday holiday. That said, I truly hope you were able to take a moment on Memorial Day to reflect on its purpose and the meaning behind it.
No matter where you land politically, honoring the men and women who have served and sacrificed so we can live in freedom is something I hold with deep gratitude. I personally haven’t lost a friend or loved one while they were serving, but I know people who have. It’s a humbling honor to live freely because of the bravery of those who step up to protect our country.
As I spent time reflecting, one word kept coming up: gratitude. That reflection led me to an unexpected but powerful question—How do I find joy in my everyday life?
That’s when I remembered something called a Joy List.
What’s a Joy List, you ask?
Well, according to my dear friend Google:
A joy list is a personalized collection of activities, experiences, and things that bring you joy and make you feel good. It’s a tool for self-care and a way to focus on what brings you happiness and well-being. By identifying and documenting these sources of joy, you can actively incorporate them into your life and cultivate a more positive mindset.
I don’t know about you, but I definitely have a Joy List… I’ve just never written it down. Which brings me to the inspiration behind this post. If you’ve been around here a while, you know this blog often serves as my public diary—a place to express what I’m feeling and, hopefully, help others feel a little more connected too. Documenting what brings me joy feels like the perfect thing to share.
So here we go—my Joy List!
(No particular order, just what comes to heart.)
My Joy List
- Prayer and/or worship
- Spending time outside (walking, golfing, gardening, hiking—you name it)
- A hot bubble bath or hot tub soak
- Getting lost in a good book
- My Happy Playlist on Apple Music
- Cuddling, playing with, or walking my dogs
- Wandering the aisles of HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls
- Spending time with friends
- Deep, meaningful conversations
- Sunsets
- Warm blankets
- The perfect cup of coffee or tea
- Spontaneous adventures
- Travel
- Big hugs
- Handwritten notes
- Rain on the roof
- Clean sheets
- Showering before bed
- Cooking with Ian
- Kitchen dance parties
- Charcuterie AKA “Coochie” boards
- The Oregon Coast
- A clean house
- A nice glass of wine or prosecco
Putting this list together came surprisingly easy—and I know I could add so much more. I’d genuinely love to hear from you: What’s on your Joy List? Maybe your ideas will inspire me to add a few more to mine.
I plan to keep this post as a reference—something to look back on when I’m feeling emotionally off, overwhelmed, or just need a little reset. It’s a gentle reminder to ground myself in gratitude and return to the little things that light me up.
As always, thank you so much for being here. I’m so grateful for this community.
Drop a comment below—let’s share joy together.
With love,
Britt