Happy Monday: Embracing Small Joys and Creating Your Own Light!

Good morning, friends! 🌞 Let’s kick off this Monday with a deep breath, a warm cup of coffee (or tea!), and a reminder that even on days that feel heavy, joy is never out of reach.  

I’ll be honest—Mondays and I haven’t always been besties. There was a time when the alarm buzzing felt like a taunt, and the weight of the week ahead loomed a little too large. But over the years, I’ve learned something: Joy isn’t just something that happens to us. Sometimes, it’s something we have to *createeven in the tiniest, simplest ways.  

If today feels like a struggle, you’re not alone. Here are a few small, personal practices that have helped me light up those darker corners:  

1. Start with a 5-minute “joy ritual.”  
Before diving into emails or to-do lists, claim five minutes just for you. Maybe it’s scribbling in a gratitude journal, blasting your favorite throwback song and having a kitchen dance party, or sipping your coffee while staring out the window. My go-to? Writing down one thing I’m excited about this week—even if it’s as small as trying a new recipe.  

2. Reconnect with your inner kid.  

When was the last time you did something silly just because? Joy often hides in the moments we let ourselves be unapologetically *us*. Doodle in the margins of your notebook. Blow bubbles on your lunch break. Watch clouds and name the shapes. It’s hard to feel stuck when you’re laughing at your own lopsided art.  

3. Find magic in the mundane.  

Joy doesn’t always shout—sometimes it whispers. Notice the little things: the smell of rain on pavement, the way your dog greets you like you’re a rockstar, or the first bite of a perfectly ripe strawberry. My favorite trick? Turn routine tasks into tiny celebrations. Fold laundry while belting Disney songs. Light a candle while answering emails. Pretend you’re in a movie montage while cleaning.

5. Give yourself permission to reset. 

If today feels heavy, pause. Step outside for three breaths of fresh air. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and watch a comfort show. Say out loud: “It’s okay to not be okay.” Joy isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about making space for both.   

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to wait for joy to find you. You get to build it, moment by moment, like gathering fireflies in a jar. Some days, it’ll feel effortless. Other days, it’ll take work—and that’s okay.  

So this Monday, let’s promise ourselves this: We’ll look for the light. And if it’s dim? We’ll strike a match.  

Wishing you a day filled with tiny sparks of happiness. You’ve got this. 💛  

P.S. What’s one small joy you’re creating today? Share it below—I’d love to steal your ideas!