Little Things That Bring Me Joy

Life gets busy.

Between work, errands, responsibilities, appointments, laundry, dishes, and the never-ending to-do list, it's easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life. Before we know it, we're simply going through the motions. We wake up, go to work, come home, tackle whatever needs to be done, and repeat the process the next day. While there is certainly value in being productive and taking care of our responsibilities, I think it's just as important to take care of ourselves.

And contrary to what social media often tells us, taking care of ourselves doesn't have to involve expensive vacations, luxury purchases, or constantly "treating ourselves." While those things can absolutely be fun from time to time, I've found that the things that bring me the most joy are often the simplest. They're the little moments woven throughout my day that make life feel fuller, calmer, and more meaningful.

These are a few of the things I've intentionally added into my life that consistently bring me joy.

1. Going for Walks

I am fully convinced that getting outside and spending time in God's creation can heal the soul.

Every morning before work, I take my dog on a quick walk around the neighborhood. Now, I'd love to tell you it's some long, peaceful sunrise walk, but considering I get up at 4:45 every morning for work, that's usually not the case. This girl is not naturally a morning person. Even so, those ten minutes make a huge difference in how I start my day.

There's something about breathing in fresh air before the day begins, getting a few steps in, and spending time with my furry best friend that helps me feel grounded. It's a simple habit, but it starts my morning with movement and gratitude instead of immediately rushing into the day.

After work, our walks are usually much longer, and they've become one of my favorite ways to decompress. Some days I listen to a podcast, some days I put on worship music, and some days I leave my headphones at home and simply listen to the sounds of the neighborhood. No matter what, I always come back feeling better than when I left.

2. Drawing

Let's get one thing straight: I am not an artist.

Not even a little bit.

But I absolutely love drawing.

One of my favorite things to do is find a cute little doodle or illustration on Pinterest and attempt my own version of it. Sometimes it turns out pretty good. Sometimes it looks questionable at best. Either way, I enjoy the process.

What I love most is using those drawings to make homemade cards for friends and family. A store-bought card is always thoughtful, but there's something special about receiving a card with a hand-drawn little doodle inside. It feels personal and unique.

I especially love making little encouragement cards for my fiancé. Usually they're paired with a cheesy pun and a drawing that probably isn't winning any art contests, but they always make us smile. It's such a simple thing, but it brings joy to both of us.

3. Scrapbooking

This hobby comes with one warning: it can get expensive.

Trust me, I learned that one the hard way.

I got into scrapbooking during the winter when Wisconsin weather wasn't exactly encouraging outdoor adventures. Instead of spending every evening scrolling on my phone or watching another television series, I decided to try something creative.

My first scrapbook was actually for my mom, and it was filled with pictures of her dog. If you're a dog owner, you know that finding enough pictures for a scrapbook is not a problem. We all have hundreds of photos saved on our phones.

What surprised me was how much joy I got from creating something for someone else. It wasn't just about arranging photos on a page. It was about telling a story and creating something meaningful that she could look back on for years to come. Seeing how much she loved it made every hour spent working on it worth it.

4. Working Out

This one is backed by science.

When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin—the chemicals responsible for boosting our mood and helping us feel good. So technically speaking, working out literally makes us happier.

But beyond the science, moving my body has become one of my biggest stress relievers. Whether I'm lifting weights, running, walking, swimming, or following a quick workout video at home, I always feel better afterward.

Now, do I always want to start the workout? Absolutely not.

There are plenty of days when staying on the couch sounds much more appealing. But I've never once finished a workout and regretted it. Exercise helps clear my mind, manage stress, and gives me a sense of accomplishment that carries into the rest of my day.

5. Spending Quality Time With People I Love

I am a yapper.

I love talking. I love hearing about people's lives. I love meaningful conversations, funny stories, and catching up over coffee. I could spend hours talking with my friends, family, fiancé, or honestly anyone willing to have a good conversation.

In today's world, so much of our communication happens through screens. We text, scroll, like, comment, and move on. But I think we've lost a little bit of the joy that comes from sitting down with someone and giving them our full attention.

Some of my happiest moments are incredibly simple. Meeting a friend for coffee. Going for a walk with someone I love. Sitting around the dinner table talking. Running errands together. The activity itself usually isn't what makes the memory special—it's the connection.

Human beings were created for relationships, and I think we all need those moments of genuine connection more than we realize.

6. Spending Time With God

I'll be honest—this is still something I'm working on.

For a long time, I gave God my Sunday mornings and not much else. I would go to church, feel encouraged, and then spend the rest of the week caught up in the busyness of life.

Over the past few years, that has slowly started to change.

One habit I've created is spending a few minutes talking to God before I leave for work. Every morning, I sit in my car and pray. I ask Him to bless the day ahead, help me represent Him well, and guide my actions and words. I pray for people I love, for situations weighing on my heart, and for whatever challenges may come my way that day.

It's such a small habit, but it has completely changed how I start my mornings.

Instead of immediately focusing on my worries, my schedule, or my stress, I'm reminded that God is already in control. Spending time with Him has brought a peace and joy into my life that I never found anywhere else.

The more I get to know Him, the more I understand His love for me, and the more grateful I become.

Final Thoughts

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that joy usually isn't found in the big moments we spend our lives waiting for.

It's found in the ordinary ones.

It's found in a walk around the neighborhood, a conversation with a friend, a silly little drawing, a workout after a long day, a scrapbook project on a cold winter afternoon, or a quiet prayer before work.

We spend so much of our lives looking ahead to the next vacation, the next milestone, the next achievement, or the next season of life. But if we're always waiting for the big moments to be happy, we'll miss so much of the beauty that's already right in front of us.

Some of the greatest blessings in my life aren't grand or exciting. They're small, simple, everyday moments that remind me how good God is and how much joy can be found in ordinary days.

So if life has felt a little mundane lately, I encourage you to look for the little things.

Take the walk.

Call the friend.

Start the creative project.

Move your body.

Spend time with God.

You don't need to completely change your life to find more joy.

Sometimes all it takes is slowing down enough to notice it.

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