7 More Ways to Add Joy to Your Life

You may remember that last summer I shared a post and podcast called “12 Ways to Add More Joy and Laughter to Your Life.”

It was a summer post, and it was a lot of fun.

And we had such a great response to that post. 

You can read it HERE.

Today, I want to do a follow-up–one year later.

I still don’t think people are having very much fun!

Our world is kind of crazy and we get so focused on that that we lose all the delight and the enchantment and the enjoyment that’s supposed to be part of our lives.

With that in mind, I want to give you seven (7) more ways to find joy and laughter in your life.

These are simple.  All of these things are doable. 

These are things you could start intentionally trying today to add a little more fun and laughter and enjoyment to your world.

How does that sound?

So here are 7 Practical tips for how to add joy to your life.

First… Figure out something that you love to do and try doing it. (or doing it again.)

Maybe it was something you enjoyed as a child or a teenager or a young adult and you just got out of the habit of doing it.

It could be that you like roller skating or walking, or you like to hike in the woods.

Or, it could be that you like to paint or sculpt or do pottery. (Or find some other creative outlet.)

It could be that you wanted to love to journal and write in a diary. You could do that again.

Perhaps you used to love to travel and go places. Maybe you could try that again.

Maybe you used to sing in the choir and it’s time for you to get a robe and hymnal and get back up there.

It may even be something you’ve never tried that you’d like to start doing!

What’s Your Thing?

Now, I don’t know what your “thing” is, but I know all of us have more fun in our lives when we’re doing things that we love to do.

What is it for me you might ask?

In my life, I used to love to meet friends for walks and coffees before we all got shut down. I’m starting to do that again and having a great time.

What about you?

What are you going to do?

That’s the first thing. Do something or figure out something you love to do and start doing it!

SECOND – Here’s a second idea to add joy to your life… Read a new book or a new author.

Use an online app or something on your phone and read virtually.

Head to the local library and grab a few books.

Or buy you a book that you can hold in your hands and read.

Perhaps you should go back and read a book that you loved years ago, or read a new book by a new author.

There’s a wonderful site where you can go and look for what to read next. 

It’s called “What Should I Read Next?”

You go and they ask you questions, or they ask what you just read, and they’ll make some other suggestions. It’s free!

In my own life, I have personally found that escaping into a wonderful book can be so encouraging and life-giving, and fun.

So, what are you going to read next??

I’ve got a whole new stack I’m working on!

THIRD – Here’s a third idea to add joy to your life… Work a puzzle of some form or fashion.

It might be a word puzzle or a number puzzle. Or, it might be a jigsaw puzzle, a crossword puzzle. 

Or, it may be something on your device or something that you actually do at a table with your hands.

There is something very satisfying about solving a puzzle.

Personally, I really like to work colorful jigsaw puzzles. I put together the edges first and then I worked the insides, and there’s something satisfying and actually very relaxing to me to work a jigsaw puzzle.

My mom doesn’t like jigsaw puzzles at all, but she’s great at Word games and crossword puzzles, and she gets great joy out of solving word games.

So, do you like puzzles? 

Are you a puzzle person??

Working a puzzle can bring great joy and fun and laughter, especially when you do it with somebody else.

FOURTH… Here’s a fourth idea. Complete that project you’ve been meaning to complete.

Sometimes we get stuck in life.

One counselor that I know gives this advice…

“When you can’t change anything else, change the sheets.”

Some people have found that getting out a Windex bottle and using it is a very satisfying job.

Sometimes it’s getting through all of our emails. At other times, it scans through all of the old mail.

Perhaps it’s cleaning out a garage or cleaning out a car.

It could be cleaning out a closet or writing a thank you note, or even going to see an old friend.

Most of us have something that we’ve put off.

However, when we complete the project, things get better.

It’s as if when we complete an old, unfinished project, we’re able to close a file and give ourselves the freedom to move forward.

So, what project do you want to finish?

What have you been putting off?

What is that thing that you love to be able to check off your list?

I think if you could, and you would, you’d be happier.

FIFTH – Here’s the fifth thing to add joy to your life… Plan a trip – a getaway!

Plan a day trip or plan a week-long trip.

If you don’t have much to spend, plan a simple 24-hour little getaway.

There is something about planning and preparation and looking forward to doing something and going somewhere that gives us joy.

So come up with some little adventure or journey that you can take this summer. And start planning.

In fact, sometimes we have more fun planning it than actually doing it.

The anticipation That brings us incredibly. Excitement and joy.

So, choose the destination, start saving, and begin planning a little trip or a little vacation. 

I think it will bring you great joy.

SIX – If you would like to add more joy and laughter to your day, try something you’ve never tried before.

Take a risk.

Do something new. 

Force yourself out of your comfort zone and venture out into the great unknown in some way. 

For example, you could just eat at a new restaurant. 

• And try some type of food you’ve never tried before.

• You could climb a rock wall.

• You could reach out to a neighbor and talk to them.

• You could join a gym. And start going to spin class or lifting weights.

There is something so good for all of us, whether we’re 18 or 58 or 88. Trying something new pushes us.

It gives us new life experiences.

It gives us a sense of adventure and intrigue and interest.

I love the words of Isaiah 43:19.

For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Here’s my question to you today… What’s something new that you will try??

For me, I’m trying kayaking. 

I’ve never tried it before, and a friend of mine has gotten me started. 

It’s been so good to have to learn new things and be a little uncomfortable.

SEVENTH – Finally, #7, I want to encourage you to laugh out loud.

Now, there’s a skill to doing this! 

You’re going to have to giggle until you start laughing.

It would be helpful to enlist the help of a good friend that will help you to laugh.

Laugh until it is funny. You will be amazed to hear the sound of your own laughter. Truly, it is a wonderful sound.

Now, if you need a little help with this, just get around some children’s teenagers. 

Kids love to laugh. 

Kids haven’t forgotten how to laugh.

Or… Watch a funny movie or a funny comedy show. Watch a funny video or something that will make you laugh.

Call the funniest friend you have and say I really need to laugh today where you laugh with me.

Something about seeking laughter again brings incredible joy.

Pastor Adrian Rogers once said, 

“Good, wholesome laughter is a gift from God.”

Now listen, these are just some ideas that I had to give more happy, healthy enjoyment to our lives. 

But what did I miss? 

What are some things you do that bring you joy?

I would love to hear from you. 

I’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions and thoughts. 

You can leave a comment, or you can write me an e-mail, but it’s always fun to hear from you. 

And these are just some fun ones that I came up with. But I bet you’ve got some good ones as well.

Print these ideas out and try one or two! I believe you will experience a little more joy and laughter!

Why do all of this?

It’s for your health and longevity!

Proverbs 17:22 teaches us:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Laughter and joy are good medicine and give strength to your life. But a broken and sad spirit will just wipe you out!

Laughter and joy may well be the best pill or supplement you will take all day!!

Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll said it this way:

“Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity.”

Sweet friends.

Do me a favor as we finish up today. 

Wherever you are – would you SMILE at me? (Just smile!)

And I’m praying that we will all enjoy more laughter and joy and smile again!

Could I ask a quick favor before we go?? 

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Remember:

We are ordinary women, but we are pursuing an extraordinary God. And He is crazy about you!

One More Thing!

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