Finding Joy in the Ordinary

 

I think one of the easiest things to lose as an adult is the ability to find joy in ordinary moments. When I was little, I couldn’t WAIT for the next big thing. I was always counting down to something. 

When we’re younger, everything feels like an event. A sleepover, a weekend with friends, a holiday, a birthday, or an afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

Somewhere along the way, life becomes a checklist.

Work. Responsibilities. Bills. Appointments. Cleaning. Planning. Repeating.

And suddenly, we’re waiting for the weekend, vacations, holidays, and major milestones to feel excited about life.

But what about everything in between?

I find joy in a quiet morning. In laughing so hard that I can’t catch my breath. In a really good book that makes me forget about everything else. In music turned up entirely too loud. In a comfortable night at home with Mike and Gus.

I find joy in coaching girls who are learning to believe in themselves. In accomplishing something I’ve been working toward. In having a conversation with a friend that makes my entire day better.

Maybe joy isn’t something we need to chase.

Maybe it’s something we need to get better at recognizing.

I don’t want to spend my life waiting for the next big thing.

I want to enjoy the little things while they’re happening.