cheers to three years! π | The Joyful Human Club π
Hey, joyful humans!Thank you so much for being here.I can't believe it - this newsletter turned 3 years old on March 31st!! π It could walk, talk, and express its personality if it was a human child. In a way, that's exactly what this newsletter feels like - a living, creative entity that I'm so stinking proud of. Thank you for being a part of this growing community and continuing to believe in joy and empathy in a world where it can feel complicated or uncool to be joyful. (If you're struggling with empathy, read this Substack post.) In celebration of the newsletter's third birthday, here are three things I've learned to be true from writing about joy every week for the last 156 weeks:
It sucks, but it's true. It makes sense why themes of loss, heartbreak, and perseverance have consistently come up in this corner of the internet over the past three years. While the Pollyanna trope might seem like the ideal version of joy, we know that it's hollow and disingenuous. Think about how much happier you feel after solving a problem after a previous struggle versus figuring it out immediately. The best part is that Joy is always beside you throughout the journey, cheering you on.
Joy is found in our small daily actions and leads to the bigger things. To see joy more frequently, we need to work on it like a muscle at the gym. Small acts of kindness, even just wishing someone a good day, can set off the momentum you can build on to foster more daily joy.
We need our communities, and we need joy, so it makes sense that joy is created with them, too. Individual joy is so special and needs to be cherished. However, the duality can exist - think about the last time you had a full belly laugh or felt total joyful bliss. I'd put money down to say it happened with at least one other person. Our communities and our joy make us who we are, and the two come together in such a beautiful dance that we have no choice but to follow along. Happy humans, we've created something special here together. Maybe you follow this newsletter because you know me IRL and want to support me. Perhaps you've stumbled upon this special space but now enjoy getting a happy email every week. Whoever you are and wherever you've come from, I'm thankful to have you here. I've always said that as long as I have people who read this newsletter, I will continue to make them. Virtual cheers to all of us, reminding us of all the good there is in this awesome planet of ours. Keep fighting the good fight, and I'll see you next Wednesday. β€οΈ Three nights left of Yoga with Dani IRL classes!We're closing out this first series of Yoga with Dani in three weeks, so if you've been thinking of joining us, we'd love to have you join this upcoming Monday night! Relieve your body aches, laugh with new friends and reconnect with yourself and your breath.
Song of the WeekConga - Miami Sound Machine I've been obsessed with this one for the past few weeks, and it's waited long enough to get onto the playlist! Enjoy!
Find this song and all the others on the βJoyful Beats playlistβ on Spotify! Good News WednesdayCheck out the good news around the world! In our fast-paced world, itβs important to remember βthe helpers.β
Find more good news at Good Good Good!β Book of the WeekβOn Rotation - Shirlene Obuobiβ This was my first book read on my new eReader and it was such a sweet story! At one point, I only wanted to come home when I was out so I could read this book. I learned a lot about what medical students go through in the US, and I really enjoyed the protagonist's highs and lows. Plus, I just really loved that Ricky was the guy's name in the book. If you're looking for a rom-com that's not too spicy but super cute, you'll want to check this one out! Book SynopsisGhanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the "Perfect Immigrant Daughter." - Enroll in an elite medical school - Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend - Surround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. It's a quarter life crisis of epic proportions. Angie, who has always faced her problems by working "twice as hard to get half as far," is at a loss. Suddenly, she begins to question everything: her career choice, her friendships, even why she's attracted to men who don't love her as much as she loves them. And just when things couldn't get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez--brilliant, thoughtful, sexy, and most importantly, seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent. Unfortunately, he's also got "wasteman" practically tattooed across his forehead, and Angie's done chasing mirages of men. Or so she thinks. For someone who's always been in control, Angie realizes that there's one thing she can't plan on: matters of her heart. Support the JoyIf you liked this newsletter and would like to show your support, please consider donating to the tip jar. I greatly appreciate your support!
Share the JoyAre you enjoying being a part of the Joyful Human Club? It would mean so much to me if you forwarded this to a friend or colleague so we can share the joy! If youβre that forwarded friend or colleague, join the fun today by βsubscribing here!ββ In gratitude and thanks, |
