Unlocking the secrets to everyday JOY
Something’s been bubbling under here for a long time… and it’s about to explode.
On 20th December I fell down the stairs and broke my hand. Two days later a surgeon pinned the bones back together with a two inch plate. The following day I had laser eye surgery which meant I couldn’t see more than a blur out of my right eye.
The very next day was Christmas Eve.
Oh woe is me, right?
WRONG.
I’ve always been a positive person on the outside – full of energy and busyness. Heck, apart from my dance with post-natal depression I usually FEEL positive. But on the inside my glass is permanently half full. Negativity is my dialect, perfectionism my disease. I’m a strong, confident, capable woman, I know this. But these two traits cloud my everyday, skew my priorities, affect my most important relationships, stop me reaching my potential and distract me from the moments of joy in my blessed life.
And yes, I do know how blessed I am. I’m SO grateful for the amazing life I live, my gorgeous family, my supportive husband – the love of my life and my best friend – the chance to work doing what I love and to balance that with raising my incredible, beautiful children.
I know this in my heart.
But still the negativity persists.
It’s INGRAINED. It’s a habit.
It’s blocking me from experiencing the simple joy of everyday moments.
Over the past few weeks four books have come into my life. One was gifted to me by the amazing Renee at Mummy Tries, another by Alisa Frank, both to review on this blog. One was a gift from my sister, the last a gift to myself. I can’t wait to tell you about them over the coming weeks.
All these books have something in common – they have touched my heart and soul, they have galvanised me into action and set me on a journey.
A journey away from ingrained negativity.
A journey towards positivity.
A journey to everyday JOY.
It sounds hippy right? She’s lost her marbles, you whisper. Where’s the reviews, the giveaways, the FUN? Hey I used to read this kind of post and scoff a bit on the inside. But now I know that was my internal negativity poking me in the eye. The negativity that is trying to PROTECT me from joy.
Look, this is important. This is HUGE (for me at least). This is what really matters. Because JOY is scary.
Why? Because it can be taken away. And not having something at all sometimes seems better than having had it and then losing it.
As part of my plans for this year I joined Ruth at Dorky Mum, and others, and used Susannah Conway’s Unravelling the Year workbook to help me set a series of intentions for 2015. I’m still working through it but one part is complete – choosing a word for the year. A word that encapsulates all that I want to be and do and achieve.
I considered happy and positive but they didn’t make my heart leap. I needed a word that sang about deep happiness and contentment, the wonder in the everyday, bliss, pleasure and seeing the beauty and magic in the small things. I needed a word that spoke about feeling AMAZING, feeling blessed and most importantly both internalising and radiating those feelings.
The word I needed was JOY.
Even just typing it makes me grin.
And so I invite you to join me on my journey to joy this year. Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of fun and the odd poo story like this one, giveaways and reviews with the fantastic brands that I LOVE working with, my new fitness challenge – preparing for my first half marathon, eeek! – and a brand *NEW* linky to join in with that I’m super excited about.
So if you’d like to, come along with me. You don’t need to pack a bag, just an open mind.
And biscuits, always biscuits.
It’s going to be amazing.
Linking up with Share With Me at Let’s Talk Mommy, All About You at Mums Days and Mama and More, Brilliant Blog Posts at Honest Mum, Post Comment Love at Verily Victoria Vocalises, Give Thanks Thursday at Mummy From The Heart
Just a perfect choice of word for this year, I expect to see a joyful year from you. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…
My word for this year is AMAZING! Amazing time with family, amazing time with friends, amazing things happening in my biz, amazing feelings
And there’ll be lots of joy on the way too 
By the way, I LOVE that pic of your two in the bath xx
Franglaise Mummy recently posted…Making goals for 2015
This whole post made me want to do a happy dance! I can’t wait to read more of your posts on finding and celebrating your joy Michele – although I must let you into a secret…. Your negativity may not be as deeply ingrained as you think – you realise you wrote “half full” as opposed to “half empty”, which a true pessimist would write! You’re already half full of Joy!! My cousin always said his glass was empty and it was his job every day to fill it up to the top! Thanks for linking to #AllAboutYou lovely xx
Mama and More aka Zaz recently posted…Positive body image in the mirror and on the yoga mat
What a year and some great tips x
Susan Mann recently posted…
I think I’ve commented on this post before – can’t remember. Anyway, joy is a beautiful word, this is a lovely perspective, and I love this linky! #Sharethejoy xx
Leigh – Headspace Perspective recently posted…Little Star
Joy is such a fabulous word! I have come to similar realisations recently and am going to work this year on being the best me I can be x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Getting Back To Me – Finding My Happy
Gosh, what an amazing year you have planned in front of you. JOY is such an uplifting word and one that can be easily translated into everyday – which is how we as parents have to live, day-to-day. It can be easier to be negative to get through the day-to-day, to just treat it as a job and get through it. However it takes more energy and more self awareness to find joy in day-to-day. I’m sure you’ll find it, and enjoy it and I look forward to reading all about it. Best of luck!
Sorry to hear about your hand – how are you managing to type?!
I agree, Joy is a word that raws you in, it makes you want to shout it out! Good luck
mum in a nutshell recently posted…Weekend skateboarding in Sidmouth
So sorry to hear you broke your hand my lovely, totally missed that! REALLY pleased that you have been so upbeat about it though – I find it’s hard to be woe is me when there is such positivity in life to be joyful about. I’m absolutely thrilled that my book has helped you, and can’t wait to read your review. Hugest hugs and here’s to an accident free 2015 xxx
Reneé @ Mummy Tries recently posted…Book Number Two Is Brewing
What a fantastic word for the year, I look forward to reading along with you on your journey. I think this is something we all need to take note of. The quote at the end is particularly apt. I love the idea for the new linky and will seek to link up asap. I mostly write posts that give me joy as that is why I blog. A joyful 2015 to you!x
Jess Paterson recently posted…
Love this post and the word JOY! I’m a true believer of finding the positives in life. I had a crap year last year, lots of family health issues and other stuff but we still had a great year. I’ll definitely be joining you on your journey to find joy! Xx
Franki ~ Little Luca & Me recently posted…
For a person named Joy for a long time I really didn’t feel Joyful. You post reminds me that its down to a person’s mindset and that is my goes for this year. To see the JOY in every situation.
Joy recently posted…#HipsterMix
What a fantastic read! Like you, I’m normally super bubbly but can be my own harshest critic on the inside. I’m so happy for your positive new linky, your joyous outlook on life and for knowing you both on and off line!
Good luck with your half marathon. You rock!
Tinuke recently posted…The little things in life
Lovely post and love the word you picked…JOY.
Fantastic idea for a linky.
And good luck with your half marathon…I completed my first in October and it was AMAZING!!!! x
Laura Evelyn Bee recently posted…
Great philosophy for the New Year and I totally get where you are coming from. I am reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin at the moment – very much enjoying it. x