How to Find Moments of Joy During Anxiety

✨Joy✨ It brings me joy just writing that word down. It has a spark and light to it. When I hear the word happiness, it almost feels unattainable. I used to think life was about finding happiness - that once I got to that point, that’s it, I am set… But it always seemed impossible to get there.

Something that made me “unhappy” was always going to happen at some point. And if I let that something get me unhappy then I would have to work harder to be happy again. 

But, joy - joy for me means finding moments of joy. It’s not something I need to reach towards in the future. I can find joy right now.

Joy often comes in the simplest moments…

The joy of writing this post, or finding joy from gratitude.

Joy from being thankful for my jug of ice water, joy from my breath, joy for my body, joy for the sun outside. 

Joy puts me in the moment. It teaches me to search for the little things that can add up and bring a smile to my face. It teaches me to have gratitude - to be thankful for the moment. 

When I start to find more things to be thankful for, I feel lighter and “happier.” I don’t feel as heavy. I feel blessed. But I also know if things aren’t feeling great, that’s okay. 

A moment of joy when I’m feeling down or anxious can come at any time. And then it can leave, and that’s okay, too. 

Sometimes life can be really heavy and I accept that. I accept whatever phase I am in is only temporary. 

But I also know any heavy times can be interrupted with a moment of joy. I just have to open my eyes and find the smallest thing that ignites a little spark of happy within me.

And it’s usually right in front of me.