The March Edition

of The Joy Edit

I’ve decided at the middle of each month I’m going to compile my “Joy Edit” - my list of Joys for that particular month, in no particular order (And to live up to my name “The Joy Edit”). Also an opportunity for me to live out my magazine journalist fantasies by creating my own mini monthly “magazine” here on Substack. As this is my space to be playful and creative and to try new joyful things, so here goes!

Having things you are excited for creates the joy of anticipation. Which I think is almost as joyful as the act itself. When things feel tough and overwhelming having joyful moments to look forward to really helps me get through the shit!

I know we should be living in the moment and fully embracing that but let’s be honest some moments are more joy filled than others aren’t they? And I definitely need things to work towards.

I like to sit down at the start of each new month with my diary. I love having a blank page ahead of me full of unknown opportunities for Joy.

I take great joy sitting there and factoring and planing moments of joy and I make sure I have at least one joyful thing planned each week. It can be a simple as planning a walk in my favourite nature reserve. Seeing a friend for a slice of cake or going swimming. Just something that is just for me. Something that is guaranteed to bring joy.

As I remerge from my period of Wintering I can feel myself slowly springing back to life with every day of sunshine. Which now also means the though of factoring in moments for running, stretching and strength training feels so much more appealing as my energy levels slowly start to rise with ever increasing intensity- as I become reenergised by the energy and hope of spring and all that is to come. The power of day light

I’ve tried to resit the urge to over book but I do like to have things to look forward to. It brings me immense joy, so it’s about creating a fine balance between plans and free time. Something I’m ever working on.

I’ve also planned some bigger things in to look forward to over the next couple of months like a couple of trips away - travel brings me a huge sense of JOY so it’s important to factor that in too. I also work from home and find it really hard to switch off when I am at home so it makes it even more important for me to have a break away to feel as though I’ve fully had a chance to recharge my Joy batteries. Even one night away in Paris was enough to switch off and switch things up. It’s just about disrupting the normal equilibrium and shaking things up. A break from reality.

So I thought I would share some of the moments of joy I’ve enjoyed recently incase you might also like to try adding them into your Joy Diary;