How to Find Lasting Joy and Happiness

Happiness is something we all want in life. However, we tend to struggle with how to hold onto that feeling. 

We often look for the quick fix - a glass of wine, a bar of chocolate, the latest and greatest shiny thing. While these things provide temporary happiness, they are fleeting and do not fulfill us with that more profound joy and fulfillment we so desire.

Happiness revolves around external factors - like the people we surround ourselves with, the places we go, the events that occur, and our thoughts and things. 

Joy relies on more internal factors - like perspective, humility, humor, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity. 

While these concepts are not new, they are rarely talked about. We think it’s important to shed light on the difference between happiness and joy and to share our top tips for finding true joy. 

1. Look inside yourself - make self-care a daily habit.
2. Practice gratitude - start each day by writing down 3 things you’re grateful for.
3. Find joy in the little things - pause and notice every detail.
4. Surround yourself with positive people - life is too short for negative vibes.
5. Connect with nature - nature is proven to boost your mood and energy. 
6. Mindfulness and Meditation - there are many different ways to practice mindfulness. Guided meditations, walking meditation, yoga, tai chi, and chi gong. Start with 5-10 minutes a day.
7. Avoid energy-sucking activities - if it's bringing you down and not adding value to your life, let it go and move on to something else. Fill your time with things that make you smile and bring fulfillment, like listening to music, dancing, reading, learning a new language, and volunteering.

Looking to dive even deeper? We recommend checking out "The Book of Joy" by Douglas Abrams featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama. 

“It’s wonderful to discover that what we want is not actually happiness. It is not actually what I would speak of. I would speak of Joy. Joy subsumes happiness. Joy is the far greater thing.”

– Archbishop Desmond Tutu