How To Find Joy In The Present Moment
By: Cassandra Wheeler
Tags: Mindset Shift, Tips And Tricks, Happiness In Life, Joy, Inspirational

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

Life can be completely chaotic from time to time and there’s no denying this year really takes the cake. Its important to remember to take care of ourselves and our wellbeing so we can continue on the right trajectory and not get bogged down by life’s tougher moments. At least, not for too long. Sometimes, it can be important to really feel those hard feelings and understand where they come from. Other times, it’s crucial to release those negative vibes and vibrate at your higher frequency of joy and pleasure.

In order to find that joy in the rough patches, I have found a few methods that really help bring me back into my own happiness. When incorporated on a daily basis, like anything else, you become better and better and those harsh moments become easier to navigate.

#1: Breathing

This first one is probably the most essential tool in your mindset practice. Learning to truly breathe with intention and clarity takes incredible patience, a lot of time, and so much practice. When I find myself in high emotional states (which are more often than not negative states) I try to come back to my breath. When I focus on my breath, I become in tune with myself and can navigate my thoughts more clearly. When my ego says “No, you can’t do that” and imposter syndrome creeps in, I can catch my breath, slow it down, and remind myself that I am enough, that I can do anything, and that I am worthy of accomplishing my dreams. Focus on breathing and you will inevitably calm your nerves and lessen that feeling of overwhelm.

#2: Gratitude

Another vital aspect to our mindset is gratitude. Practicing gratitude as often as possible is one of the easiest ways to raise our vibrational energy. When we feel gratitude and appreciate what we already have in our lives and in ourselves, we essentially are telling ourselves that we are enough just as we are in our current state. It truly is designed to help us find joy in the small things and understand that life is meant to be lived jubilantly.

#3: Journaling

Journaling is a fantastic way to get your thoughts out of your head and make space for what matters. Oftentimes, we are so distracted by so many thoughts at once, so many to-do lists, so many obligations and responsibilities, that we completely shut down entirely. Journaling is a great way to organize those thoughts and really make sense of them all. We can find out what’s really bothering us or why we feel how we do in this moment. It’s a great tool for releasing pent up energy and getting out the thoughts that are taking up so much space in our heads.

#4: Meditation

For me, this goes hand in hand with breathing. When I start a meditation, I am always going to my breath and focusing on my breathing, first and foremost. But meditation is different for everyone and doesn’t always look and feel like you may think. Some people find meditation in a bubble bath, reading their favorite book. Some people find meditation in a workout. Others find it in their morning routine, giving themselves pep talks and reciting affirmations in the mirror while getting ready for the day. However it feels right for you, is right. The point is to connect to yourself and find your inner joy and peace.

#5: Grounding

Another phenomenal practice to help in being present and finding joy. Grounding can be so much fun. It’s a simple technique in which you relate to all of your senses. What do you hear, see, smell, taste, feel in this exact moment? Is it the sunshine on your skin? Birds singing in the trees? Freshly-cut grass? I find myself having fun with this idea and trying to find all the different things in my environment and surroundings. How many things do I see? How many do I hear? It’s a wonderful way to stay in tune with yourself, your current space, and the present moment.

If you are finding yourself in situations of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, or even apathy, you can always come back to these steps to regain that control and tap into your joy. It won’t always be easy, but with more practice you may come to find you are able to navigate the rocky shores a little bit better.