G’day legends,
It’s Kate here from TIACS. This week, we’re diving into something a bit deeper:
Remembering what brings you joy in life.
We received a question from “Mitch”, a 28-year-old tradie who says:
“Lately, I feel like I’m just going through the motions. I can’t remember the last time I felt excited about something or truly happy. How can I figure out what brings me joy again?”
Great question, Mitch. Life can sometimes feel like we’re stuck on autopilot—wake up, go to work, come home, rinse and repeat. Between the routine and pressures of our responsibilities, it’s easy to lose track of the things that spark joy and make life feel meaningful.
The good news is that the joy isn’t gone; it’s usually just been put on the back burner while we’re busy putting food on the table and keeping the lights on.
Here are a few ideas to help you rediscover what brings you joy:
-
Remember what used to make you smile
Take a moment to think about what’s made you feel good in the past. You might ask yourself, “When was the last time I felt pumped by something I did?” Maybe it was cracking a joke with mates, finishing a passion project, or getting out and exploring new places. You might even think further back to your younger days — what were you doing then that made you feel alive?
Thinking about times when you’ve felt joy before. Make a habit of noticing the small things that make you smile - even for a second. You can write them down or just take a mental note. Over time, you’ll start to see what fills your cup.
-
Think about what matters most to you
Sometimes it’s tough to pinpoint what it is in the past that made us feel good. In these moments, it can help to think about what we value most in our lives. They act like a compass that points to true north – guiding us back to what’s important, even when we feel lost.
Some common values that people often find important are:
-
-
Being true to themselves in their relationships
-
Spending quality time with loved ones
-
Doing work that feels meaningful and fulfilling
-
Continuing to learn about things that interest them
-
Contributing to their community in meaningful ways
-
Looking after their health and wellbeing
-
Being active and taking care of their body
-
Connecting with their cultural or spiritual roots
-
Enjoying time in nature or exploring new places
-
Engaging with special interests
-
Finding time for rest and relaxation
-
Which of these stood out to you?
-
Take small steps often
Sometimes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we can’t find joy unless we accomplish huge feats. But more often than not, it’s in the little things we overlook.
For example, if you value exploring new places, you don’t have to wait until you’ve saved up for a trip abroad. You could attend local cultural events, learn a new language, or try out a new restaurant from a different culture in your area.
If you value quality time with loved ones, you might explore different ways of spending time with people like going somewhere new together, connecting over a shared interest, or thinking about what might be getting in the way of more time with loved ones.
Finding joy can be about understanding what values are most important to you and taking small steps towards them as often as possible. These small changes don’t require big investments or massive changes but can make a big difference over time in how you feel and experience life.
And remember, Mitch, if things still feel tough, having a yarn with a TIACS counsellor can help you better understand what’s important to you and what else might be going on.
Sometimes, the things we’ve gone through or life’s stresses can weigh us down more than we realise, and talking to someone can help to clear the fog and work out what they might need to do to get back on track.
The team at TIACS is here to help if you ever want to talk things through. You can text or call us for free at 0488 846 988, Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 10 PM.
Got a question for the TIACS team? Hit reply to this email, and we’ll tackle it in an upcoming blog.
