Learning to Cultivate Joy

When life feels heavy, I’ve found that the smallest things can bring the biggest comfort. A leaf unfurling on my plant, the way the sky turns pink at sunset, the sound of rain against the window. These little sparks of wonder help me pause, breathe, and remember that beauty still exists alongside the struggle.

I try to do at least one thing each day that makes me feel good, something just for me. I love starting the morning with stretches, sketching in my notebook, going for a walk, or taking a bike ride with Risette (my beloved bicycle). And more often than not, I take myself on little solo “dates”—a coffee, a museum visit, a wander through the city. Simple pleasures that ancho

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Noticing the small, beautiful moments that spark gratitude

There’s something magical about learning to see the world with childlike wonder again.

You already know the feeling—that quiet joy when you talk about your tomato plants, gaze at the stars, or catch a glimpse of a red moon. The goal is to reconnect with that sense of awe at least once a day.

It could come from watching a sunrise, noticing a new leaf on your plant, spotting a shooting star, admiring a Monet painting, or tasting the perfect cup of coffee. Maybe it’s jumping in a puddle, hearing a bird sing, or walking through a beautiful garden. You get the idea—whatever makes your heart soften, even for a moment.

The more we pay attention to these small wonders, the easier it becomes to create space between ourselves and negative thoughts. It’s not about ignoring what’s hard—but rather, remembering that beauty and hope still exist alongside the struggle.

When you’re not feeling your best, these moments can feel out of reach—but inviting just one into your day can shift your perspective.

Research in positive psychology, including the work of Martin Seligman (2011), shows that cultivating gratitude and noticing life’s small pleasures not only improves overall happiness but also reduces stress and emotional fatigue.

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Wonder doesn’t erase hard feelings, but it creates space around them. In the next post, I’ll share how laughter and play — even the silliest kind — can lift your mood in surprising ways.