Stop Overlooking the Little Things—Your Joy Depends on It

Dear High-achieving Woman, It’s time for a reality check. We’re constantly pushed to be strong, nurturing, assertive, and accommodating, all at once. For Black women, the stakes are even higher. We carry the weight of history, the pressure to excel, and the need to prove ourselves in spaces that often weren’t designed for us. It’s no wonder joy can feel like a distant memory or something reserved for special occasions. But that’s not how it should be.

Here’s the truth: Joy isn’t just for the big moments. It’s not something you earn after crossing a finish line. Joy is here and now—it’s in the little things you might be overlooking every single day.

What Is Joy, Really?

Joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling of happiness or a temporary high. It’s a deep, sustaining sense of contentment, fulfillment, and peace. It’s that warm, grounding feeling you get when you’re truly present in the moment, appreciating life as it is, without waiting for the next big thing. Joy is a both-and experience. It’s not about choosing between small pleasures and big accomplishments—it’s about embracing both.

How to Feel Joy

Start by tuning in to your senses. Feel the warmth of your morning coffee mug, the softness of your favorite sweater, or the cool breeze on your skin. These sensations are more than just passing moments—they’re invitations to connect with your body and the world around you. When you stop and really feel these experiences, you’re not just existing—you’re living.

How to See Joy

Look for joy in the details. It’s in the way the sunlight filters through your window, the rhythm of your favorite song, or the way your heart swells when you laugh with a friend. Joy is in the everyday, in the small things that often go unnoticed. Start paying attention, and you’ll see that joy is all around you, just waiting to be acknowledged.

How to Embody Joy

To embody joy means to carry it within you, to let it shape your attitude and your approach to life. It’s not just about smiling more—it’s about allowing joy to influence your decisions, your interactions, and your inner dialogue. Embodying joy means letting it be a part of who you are, not just something you experience from time to time.

How to Value and Appreciate Joy

Don’t take joy for granted. Hold it in high esteem, just like you would with any other important aspect of your life. Recognize that joy is not a frivolous extra—it’s a vital part of your well-being. When you start to value joy, you prioritize it. You make time for it. You defend it against the pressures and demands that try to steal it away.

Joy is Not an Either-Or, It’s a Both-And

Here’s the bottom line: You don’t have to choose between joy and achievement. You can have both. You can celebrate your big wins while also savoring the small, everyday pleasures that make life rich and meaningful. Joy isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create, moment by moment.

Every facet of your life demands something from you. That's why joy has to be a non-negotiable for you. Stop overlooking the little things. Start seeing, feeling, and embodying joy in your life. Value it, appreciate it, and hold it in high esteem. Joy is yours for the taking, in both the small and big moments, right here, right now.

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Join Radical Foundations: A 90-Day Self Love Accelerator to learn simple, everyday practices that infuse your life with joy! Start your joy journey to create an authentic life you love not tolerate. DM me to see if we’re a good fit.