Thank you for this perspective. Life has been hard lately. I've been struggling and it hasn't really felt like there's been room for much joy. I like the idea of just noting the small joys that pop up each day. Reading your newsletter this morning, I honestly didn't really expect to spot that joy today. And then this evening, my wife captured this incredible moment with me and our dog, and there it was, a little bright spot in the day. I hope I can continue to look for and find these moments in the days ahead.
I’m so glad you found that moment. Counterintuitive as it might be, the hard times are the best ones for making a practice of noting things like joy or gratitude—as tough as it might be. I hope the days ahead get easier and that there are many, many more joyful moments waiting for you!
Feb 17, 2022·edited Feb 17, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar
I’ve kept a joy journal as well, writing down three joyful things in my day. Small things are big! Never underestimate the joy from the small things in life. :) I wrote a post about this in my newsletter once.
My immediate knee-jerk response to your subscription is this—what an honour! I've known about your newsletter since I got on Substack a year back, and enjoyed dipping in to read some of your posts. Your ability to connect the readers' hearts with your personal stories is something I appreciate.
I'm happy that with your change of life season, you've broadened the topics and continue to include your readers in them. My newsletter started in 2017 from a lonnng season of intense pain and grief. Like you, I had moved on to another (thankfully happier) season, discovered drawing, and now, sending my life musings plus a new drawing to my readers. Thank you once again for subscribing. 🌿
Your joy list made my heart flutter in the lightest, happiest way. The great thing, too, of course, is that if we're lucky, and pay attention, one sequence of tiny joy moments after another is what makes up a life.
So we'll written and well said as usual! I have a gratitude journal as well and it's so helpful ☺️ thank you Katie once again for a way to improve my day. I'm struggling today, I got a diagnosis I wasn't thrilled about but I can treat it and maybe even get better and live my best life. Xoxo.
My phone *loves* to correct well to we'll, I get it! I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. Health stuff can be so hard. And no matter what, I bet you can find a few good joy-filled moments today. xo
This is like the third time recently I have heard the recommendation to start a gratitude journal or list, but I feel like listing the small joys is much more achievable. I am going to try it. Thank you (again) for sharing something that seems be exactly what I need <3
I’m so glad to hear that! I agree, it feels like there’s less expectation with a joy journal. It’s just making an observation: here’s a thing that brought me joy today. ✨
I sometimes find it hard to enjoy simple things but i am a simple man anyway.maybe sometimes i feel stuck in a the small city l live but the truth is that life ia a bitter sweet symhony.i am tring to live in now not in the past or in the future.some days arebetter than others.some worst.but it depends.a little bit luck is always necessary.
Thank you for this perspective. Life has been hard lately. I've been struggling and it hasn't really felt like there's been room for much joy. I like the idea of just noting the small joys that pop up each day. Reading your newsletter this morning, I honestly didn't really expect to spot that joy today. And then this evening, my wife captured this incredible moment with me and our dog, and there it was, a little bright spot in the day. I hope I can continue to look for and find these moments in the days ahead.
I’m so glad you found that moment. Counterintuitive as it might be, the hard times are the best ones for making a practice of noting things like joy or gratitude—as tough as it might be. I hope the days ahead get easier and that there are many, many more joyful moments waiting for you!
I’ve kept a joy journal as well, writing down three joyful things in my day. Small things are big! Never underestimate the joy from the small things in life. :) I wrote a post about this in my newsletter once.
I love that! And I’m so happy to discover your newsletter. I just subscribed :)
Dear Katie,
My immediate knee-jerk response to your subscription is this—what an honour! I've known about your newsletter since I got on Substack a year back, and enjoyed dipping in to read some of your posts. Your ability to connect the readers' hearts with your personal stories is something I appreciate.
I'm happy that with your change of life season, you've broadened the topics and continue to include your readers in them. My newsletter started in 2017 from a lonnng season of intense pain and grief. Like you, I had moved on to another (thankfully happier) season, discovered drawing, and now, sending my life musings plus a new drawing to my readers. Thank you once again for subscribing. 🌿
Thank you!
Your joy list made my heart flutter in the lightest, happiest way. The great thing, too, of course, is that if we're lucky, and pay attention, one sequence of tiny joy moments after another is what makes up a life.
Ah, I love that! Thanks, Lauren.
So we'll written and well said as usual! I have a gratitude journal as well and it's so helpful ☺️ thank you Katie once again for a way to improve my day. I'm struggling today, I got a diagnosis I wasn't thrilled about but I can treat it and maybe even get better and live my best life. Xoxo.
Well*** I even corrected that once and it still went back to it, silly phone
My phone *loves* to correct well to we'll, I get it! I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. Health stuff can be so hard. And no matter what, I bet you can find a few good joy-filled moments today. xo
This is like the third time recently I have heard the recommendation to start a gratitude journal or list, but I feel like listing the small joys is much more achievable. I am going to try it. Thank you (again) for sharing something that seems be exactly what I need <3
I’m so glad to hear that! I agree, it feels like there’s less expectation with a joy journal. It’s just making an observation: here’s a thing that brought me joy today. ✨
I sometimes find it hard to enjoy simple things but i am a simple man anyway.maybe sometimes i feel stuck in a the small city l live but the truth is that life ia a bitter sweet symhony.i am tring to live in now not in the past or in the future.some days arebetter than others.some worst.but it depends.a little bit luck is always necessary.
Costantin