The Magic of the Joy List

As moms, it can be hard to take time for ourselves, but doing so is so important! If we don’t take care of ourselves, how will we take care of anyone else? Creating a Joy List helps avoid burnout by reminding you to take time for self-care on a daily basis–even if it’s only for a couple minutes.

Taking time for ourselves is SO important–especially as moms of little kids! I believe we need to take time to deliberately add joy and fun to our lives each and every day. If we don’t, life starts to take a toll on us and we’re less productive, less energized, and less able to give our all to the ones we love.

[bctt tweet=”Taking time for ourselves is SO important–especially as moms of little kids! If we don’t, life starts to take a toll on us and we’re less productive, less energized, and less able to give our all to the ones we love.” username=”imperfectmama32″]

Back in January, I talked about the magic of the Don’t List. This tool ensures your downtime is actually helping you relax, refresh, and rejuvenate.

Today, I want to talk about its counterpart, the Joy List. A Joy List is a list of items that bring you happiness–small and simple tasks that add a little boost of excitement and fulfillment to your everyday life.

The Joy List

By creating a Joy List, we make it easy to fit in these small moments of joy on a daily basis. A Joy List should be broken down into 3 categories:

1. Items that take 10 minutes or less (one of these should be done daily)
2. Items that take an hour or less (do one of these at least once per week)
3. Items that take more than an hour (make time for one of these per month)

Make Your Own

Grab a piece of paper and start brainstorming things that bring you joy. What makes you smile? What makes you feel relaxed? When you need an escape from the chaos, what do you do? Jot down any and all ideas–don’t worry about what category it fits in now. Just brainstorm everything in one go.

Once you’ve gotten it all written out, grab the free printable below, then think about how much time each takes and put it in the correct category. Display your list somewhere you can see it often.

Download your FREE printable here!

Schedule It

Finally, and this is perhaps the most important, schedule time for it! When will you do your daily joy item? What day of the week will you do your longer burst of joy? What day is best for your monthly fun? You can schedule a recurring day/week/time, or plan it out when you plan the week before. But it’s important to schedule it or it’ll never happen!

Examples

10 Minutes or Less

• Put on some music and dance
• Go for a quick walk up and down your street
• Enjoy a cup of herbal tea on the porch
• Read a chapter of a book
• Do a gratitude practice
• Slowly eat a square of chocolate
• Browse a magazine
• Doodle
• Use a face mask
• Recite affirmations
• Write in your journal
• Color in an adult coloring book
• Meditate or focus on your breathing

An Hour or Less

• Give yourself a manicure or pedicure
• Take a bath
• Play a game
• Have an at-home spa night
• Read on a blanket outside
• Go eat at your favorite restaurant
• Serve someone
• Bake
• Visit your favorite store
• Practice hand lettering
• Make a craft
• Take a nap
• Create!

More than an Hour

• Go out with friends
• Watch a favorite movie
• Get a facial
• Take a workout class
• Invite a few friends over for dessert
• Learn a new hobby
• Cross an item off your bucket list
• Host a party (favorite things is one of my faves!)
• Get a massage

Making Joy a Priority

It doesn’t matter so much what you do. What matters is that you consistently take some time for yourself. And having a Joy List hanging in a prominent place in your home will help make sure you do just that!

What’s something that brings YOU joy?

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Britney is a wife and mom with a passion for helping other women see the good inside of them. She loves podcasts, polka dots, and dancing around the kitchen with her family.