When life gets busy, we often put ourselves on the back burner. Our passion, joy, and meaning fade into the background as work, responsibilities, and life itself takes over. 
We believe there will be time later for joy, but right now we need to take care of our tasks. The truth is… That is not the truth. As important as it is to fulfill your duties, your own joy is paramount to your ability to fulfill them. Research shows that this is something we can cultivate and take control of. Joy isn’t something that just happens randomly. It can be nurtured through our actions, thoughts, and connections. Life has its ups and downs, that’s what makes it worth living. The question we must ask is, how do we continue to find meaning through tough times?
Joy and happiness are not interchangeable. It’s easy to confuse the two as they’re often used as synonyms for one another. While experienced at the same time, happiness is more of an emotion felt resulting from events happening around you. Comparing that to joy, which is less of a reaction and more of an action driven by your own motivations. As an emotion, happiness is fleeting. Joy is a state of being, and stays solid through good and bad times. When being joyful, you can take a step back and appreciate moments of happiness within the bigger context that is life. The reason joy sticks around, whereas happiness doesn’t, is because it is driven by purpose and meaning in life. When something bad happens, it doesn’t negate your motivations, meaning that joy can still be present.
Sometimes we lose our joy. This can happen as a result of challenging events occurring all at once. Loss of joy is sometimes tagged as a symptom of mental health struggles, but sometimes it just happens. 
When life gets turned upside down by various events, it’s completely normal to feel a lack of joy. Severe stressors, like death, breakups, harassment, can all contribute to a joyless feeling. Within the context of a disaster, loss of joy is a part of the human experience. It’s when a lack of joy appears randomly that you may want to pay attention to. Without a clear catalyst, the lack of joy can be attributed to depression. This is a serious mental illness and needs to be treated by a professional. Even that sometimes, can be brought on by ignoring feelings resulting from past events. They build up and then one day, it pours over. When struggles build, and overtake you, it’s understandable that joy feels unattainable. It’s at this point where you must want to make a change in your life and pursue meaning and passion.
Joy and passion are not magic. They’re a skill that must be trained and strengthened with consistent practice. When we take a few moments to notice what we’re grateful for, engage in activities that align with our values, and pursue meaningful tasks, we are naturally working out that muscle.
As a society, we often equate joy with success. This then means that slowing down and taking a break are markers of failure. We end up waiting for the “right” time to revel in the joy that surrounds us. The truth is that delaying joy does not mean we’re better. In fact, it’s spending the time to enjoy everything around us that builds a strong foundation for our perceptions of the world. By allowing ourselves to feel happy and surround ourselves with passion and meaning, we set ourselves up with the strength we need to overcome struggles later on in life. If we always put off feeling joy and following our passions, we crumble under the pressure of life’s challenges.
It is important to be proactive if you feel your purpose disappearing. You need to change up your routine in order to allow yourself to feel the joy again. True joy is sparked from within. When you live authentically, your choices match your identity. By acting in a way that is in line with what you believe is important, you revive the relationship you have with yourself.
Try to add more aerobic exercise to your routine. The physical activity acts like a relaxing bath for your nerves, and you. Focusing on others outside yourself can be another way to promote meaning in your life. Spend some time volunteering, caring for the elderly, or helping a neighbour. Dedicating some time to others often produces more joy than remaining absorbed in your own life. You can also try discovering something new. If you’re feeling listless, think of something you’ve always wanted to do and go do it. Incorporating new habits into your daily life can refocus your energy and give you something to look forward to. Make sure not to spend too much time obsessing over things you cannot control. It can be easy to fall into the trap of “what if?” Spending so much of your energy coming up with possible outcomes is a waste of your time, especially given you can’t have any impact on its resolution. Instead, focus on what you can control: Which is yourself. Pay attention to the positive things in your life. While this is easier said than done, it can also be worked on through intentional gratitude. When you start to feel bad, try to think of one or two things you’re grateful for. This will retrain your brain into looking for the positives in every situation.
Here are some ways to find your passions:
- Nourish your curiosity– be attentive to the things you find interesting. Any activities or gatherings that make you feel inspired should be noted. If you have the time, you could even pop in and test them out.
- Watch out for your needs- a lot of the time, we end up ignoring our own needs. To hold onto your passions, you need to fulfill your basic needs. It’s okay to say no if helping someone will come at the cost of your own well-being. That’s not selfish, that’s self-care.
- Reflect on what inspired you as a kid- As we grow up, we are told to let go of our dreams and pursue real avenues. Think back to what you loved when you were younger. This could point to what you would be invested in now. Anything that made you light up, feel alive, or lose track of time is worthy of revisiting. Try seeing how you could incorporate any of these childhood ideas into your life now.
- Make a list of your priorities- By highlighting what you value and want to devote your time to, you can let go of the things that don’t mean a whole lot to you. Think of your top 4 priorities and start living your life according to those principals. This can remind you to hold on to your values, even as life gets busy.
- Keep it small and non-commital- Just because you think of something you could be passionate about, doesn’t mean you have to throw yourself into it. Start small and gauge your interest. Maybe you thought painting could be your newest passion. You don’t need to go out and buy a whole art studio’s worth of supplies. Start by buying a few brushes, paints, and a canvas. Keeping it non-committal removes the pressure to pursue a passion that in the end, might not be it for you.
Everyone’s passions are different, but they are all key players in finding joy and meaning in life. There’s this misconception that everyone has to have one thing they’re passionate about and that they devote their entire life to. Passions are personal, and are unique to each person. Maybe your passion is swimming, but maybe someone else’s passion is trying new things. The pressure to commit to one passion for life is something that you need to let go of. Your passions can change and readjust throughout your life. That doesn’t mean you lack passion, it means you have the ability to be flexible. Meaning and joy are created by you, and for you. There’s no right or wrong way to pursue your passions. As long as they bring you joy, they’re doing their job.
Devoting time to finding joy has many benefits. You’ll obviously be happier and find more meaning in your life, but there are also many health benefits. Increasing your ability to find joy strengthens your immune system, decreases stress, and can even help you live longer. Living a meaningful life devoted to your passions isn’t about chasing eternal happiness. It’s about training your brain and building a steady foundation of joy that can be returned to in times of hardship. Joy isn’t achieved accidentally. It takes hard work and consistency.
Want to learn more about living a life filled with passion, joy, and meaning? Listen to our Clinical Director’s Podcast, Straight Talk with Sandra Reich, and gain more insights about your role within your own joy.
Living your life with Passion, Joy and Meaningfulness
About the Episode:
What does the latest research tell us about living a meaningful life filled with joy? Are joy and passion something we need to practice to get better at?How about our habits and beliefs? What role do they play in the quality of our lives?(Hint: a lot!) Don’t miss this special Straight Talk on living your life filled with peace, happiness and authenticity regardless of your circumstances.
Listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1enJxSsOg3w
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Do you find it hard to feel joy? It’s natural to get down about life’s challenges every now and then. Rest assured you are not the only one. At The Montreal Center for Anxiety and Depression we have top specialists who can guide you through tough times and support you as you make the necessary changes. It would be our absolute pleasure to match you with a therapist who will give you the tools you need to practice joy in everyday living,
To find your therapist now, give us a call at 514 777-4530 today. We would love to help you, and get you started on your journey. Change your life… TODAY!
