Can we all agree that the world is overwhelmingly heavy right now? Between the dual pandemics (coronavirus + racism) in our midst, life looks different. It’s been especially hard to catch my breath. Still, I have to look for moments of respite and try to find joy. It’s how I hold on. I can’t just keep going from trauma to trauma without breathing. Neither can you.
I’m usually the “look for the silver lining” girl. That’s especially hard these days. I’m still keeping my eyes and heart wide open for moments of joy. So what’s working for me these days? I’m glad you asked.
I’m listening to more music than usual. I have always been a big music lover. Since I was a little girl, it’s been my joy! In the daily grind of it all, before quarantine, I hadn’t been listening to much music. I’m all in now! I even have a blue tooth speaker for the shower. I have a party whenever I can, to get my mind off of all that’s going on. My go to has been Club Quarantine with DJ DNice. (see t-shirt in pic below) My kids know when I’m carrying my phone around jamming that I’m listening to “Mom’s DJ, DNice”.
I’m also creating challenges for myself with exercise. Every month, I choose a new exercise to try for the month. So far there’s been a weight training program, a HIIT program, yoga and a barre series. This month, I’m doing a core challenge with a bunch of other ladies in a Peloton group. I’ve definitely been getting my money’s worth from my Peloton bike as well. I’m in a spin class 6 days a week. I’ve also taken free classes from Amazon Prime. This barre class series was amazing. I’ll be taking it again.
At the beginning of everything, it was hard for me to focus on reading. Being that reading is something I LOVE, it was frustrating to struggle to get through a book. I’m not surprised though. There have been so many other real life day to day things to get my attention, books had to take a back seat. I’m getting back to reading a bit though. I just finished a good read called Clap When You Land.
Another thing I dove into is learning. I took a marketing class with the Wharton School of Business. I took the class while doing virtual learning with my kids. They got a kick out of me doing some virtual schooling of my own as I was teaching them. It’s been nice to get back into the academic mode for myself. I’m keeping my eye out for more classes to enhance my skills.
Mediation is almost like a buzz word these days. It’s such an intentional way to be alone with yourself. So, it’s no surprise that I’ve been spending more time doing various meditations. I really love the sleep meditations. Sometimes, it can be hard to wind down with so much happening. My brain is constantly racing. Meditations really help to calm me and relax.
Outside of my family, I find joy by remembering the small things that I love and doing more of them. What have you been doing to find moments of joy in all the current chaos of life?
4 Comments on How to Find Joy When The World is a Dumpster fire
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I don’t know that I can point to one thing. I have been trying to keep my workouts going without the gym. It’s tough but it is something that takes me outside in front of my apartment to burn a few calories. I’ve also enjoyed a number of the Verzuz “challenges”.
The Verzuz challenges have been the must see events I didn’t know I needed. The music and the laughs have been a great getaway!
Music and exercise are great go-to’s. I’m also using the Marco Polo app to video chat w/ my friends more so I can at least see them and hear their voices.
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My friend got me to start using Marco Polo too for that same reason.