I had the absolute pleasure of going to Disney World for the first time in early June. I was in Orlando for a conference being held at one of the Disney properties, and a free evening lent itself to a twilight visit to Magic Kingdom. First, let me tell you, four hours to get in as much of Magic Kingdom as you can is a pretty insane Disney experience, but fun nonetheless. I had a few things on my ‘wish list” to visit: 1. Classic Disney rides like Mad Hatter’s Teacups, It’s a Small World, and the Haunted Mansion. 2. Make an entire circle through the park getting to see each ‘land.’ 3. Eat a Dole Whip. 4. Watch the fireworks at closing. I am very proud to say I accomplished all four and then some and had the time of my life. 

After our visit, on the journey back to the hotel room, my partner mentioned how happy he was to see me smiling and joyful. And I knew why he said it. I had been having a tough few months prior. I am a full-time doctoral student, and that was taking a toll. Work had its stressors that were weighing. And while my personal life was full of events and happy moments, they didn’t feel as happy due to being stretched a bit too thin and serving as the primary planner/domestic engineer. My few hours at Disney offered some levity I hadn’t had in a while. A moment where I didn’t have to be much concerned with anything (besides getting that Dole Whip. iykyk.) other than having fun. But it was more than fun. It was joy. 

In reflecting on the adventure, I found myself wondering…why does it seem like, in daily life, there are so many barriers to joy. How many moments do we truly experience joy? Now, it is true that things can get murky when defining joy, fun, happiness, and the like. And psychology would define “happiness” completely differently than the colloquial meaning we often place behind it. The difference between a sense of well-being that includes one’s subjective version of content and meaningful life (the psychological “happy”) versus the stereotypical thought of someone winning the lottery “happy” conjure two very different images. 

It made me think. What makes me joyous? What brings me my version of “happy?”. Having recently read Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too Busy World by Eve Rodsky, I found myself thinking deeply to discover what do I define as my unicorn space? How do I express my creative self and engage in joy? 

And I think that is the ticket for any of us. MY version. YOUR version. What brings you joy? What allows you to express and expand your most creative self? Have you actually thought about the specific things and moments? As of now, I have. 

Beginning this blog and writing freely more often. 
My sweet baby nephews smile, and his older brothers laugh. 
Listening to music and dancing in the kitchen while cooking dinner.
When my husband walks in with my favorite donut or coffee drink, or his goofy yet adorable grin when he’s excited. 
Any adventure with my mother and the laughs we often share.
Having a drink and singing karaoke with my dad. 
Sibling days or making music with my brothers. 

…I dug deeper…

Mornings when I start with my favorite cup of coffee and song.
Journaling or writing poetry.
A crisp but sunny autumn day.
 When my adorable cat nuzzles me around 5 a.m. and snuggles into the crook of my arm.
Lighting my favorite candle. 

I have spent the last month really taking inventory and having gratitude for these more micro-moments of joy, as well as trying to increase them. It’s so easy to get lost in the day…months fly by now faster than ever, it seems. It’s so easy to lose joy. Not intentionally. It feels more like forgetting. The hustle and bustle of life gets us busy, and somewhere along the way, we forget the joy. I know I did. 

I challenge you to take inventory too. What are you grateful for? What are your micro-moments of joy? Life is far too short to be without them.  

With Grace & Gratitude, CB