Post # 8 - The Joy List: 10 Little Things I’m Keeping in My Life Right Now

Posted under: Creativity, Joy, or Expression | The Full Life Edit

Sometimes joy isn’t loud.

Sometimes it’s not a huge life event or milestone.

Sometimes it’s just a small moment that makes you exhale and think, “I want more of this.”

I used to chase happiness like a destination — something I’d earn after the work was done, the house was cleaned, or the inbox was cleared.

But lately, I’ve been keeping a joy list — a gentle reminder of the small things that bring me back to myself.

Here are ten things I’m choosing to keep in my life right now — not because I have to, but because they bring me joy.

🌼 

1. Morning light through the kitchen window

It’s soft. It’s golden. It makes everything feel peaceful for just a moment — even before the day really begins.

☕ 

2. That one mug that just feels right

You know the one. It fits perfectly in your hands and somehow makes tea or coffee taste better.

📚 

3. Reading one chapter before bed instead of scrolling

It’s not always easy, but when I do it, I sleep better — and feel more like myself.

🕯 

4. Lighting a candle while I work

Instant coziness. Even a to-do list feels more doable in soft light and good scent.

💌 

5. Texting “just because” check-ins to people I love

No expectations. Just, “Hey, I’m thinking of you.” It fills my heart every time.

🍞 

6. Toast with butter and cinnamon sugar

Childhood joy in every bite. Zero shame.

🎶 

7. Playing music while cleaning

It turns chores into a dance party — and the house ends up cleaner when I’m having fun.

🛋 

8. Doing nothing without guilt

Sitting. Breathing. Not performing productivity. Just being. That’s joy, too.

✍️ 

9. Journaling without rules

Some days it’s a paragraph. Some days it’s a brain dump. Some days it’s a list like this.

🌙 

10. Looking up at the night sky for a minute before bed

It reminds me how small I am — and how beautiful that is.

💭 What’s On Your Joy List?

Joy doesn’t always arrive in big moments.

Often, it’s hiding in the quiet, the ordinary, the repeated.

What are the small things you’re keeping in your life right now — just because they make you smile?

Drop them in the comments — let’s build a joy list together 💬

– M.E