Finding Joy (Again)
By Ms. Janice Nass, LCSW
How can you find joy again when the world has crashed down around you? Maybe
you just lost your job, your house, or your life partner and you don’t feel
like you will be able to carry on. What is important is to sit with the
pain, acknowledge your feelings, and trust time to lift you out and beyond
to see that opportunities for change are possible. Some simple techniques
can also be used to help manage your stress and focus on what can be your
future – a future once again filled with joy.
1) Take time out of your day for silence. Whether it is 5 minutes or an
hour, turn off your cell phone and computer and don’t speak. Listen to your
thoughts, focus on your breathing, slow down. Focus on creating a special
place for yourself that is quiet and serene where you can go to recharge
your spirit. It may take a while for this practice to start feeling
comfortable, but stick with it. From this place of simplicity, you will find
energy inside of you that you never thought you had. Don’t forget to let
family and friends know about your silent period so they can honor this time
as well.
2) Do something. Whether it is listening to music, journaling, reading, or
getting acquainted with nature, these activities can provide a much needed
respite from the feelings of sadness and helplessness. They also can provide
a much needed diversion from what is keeping us down and transport us to the
place of joy that is in reach for all of us.
3) Rekindle your inner child. Invite humor and play back into your life and
reconnect with an age of innocence and trust. Give yourself opportunities to
laugh. Doing so does not erase the person who you just lost, but it does
provide a way to move away the pain to allow for joy to enter.
4) Reach out to others in need. Whether it is something as simple as smiling
at the person in line in front of you at the store to volunteering at your
local animal shelter, you will find that turning your focus on others can
help ourselves get out of pain and grief and move closer to joy. You may
also want to try sending positive thoughts out to others. Spreading harmony
as you shift your focus to others can support the healing process for
yourself.
Don’t expect these ideas to transform your life overnight. It takes time.
Grief and pain are a roller-coaster of emotions. If you begin to incorporate
these small steps over time however, you will notice an inner
transformation, a transformation towards joy