Hello! Valerie Sjodin here, and today I’m going to be sharing 12 ways that may help you return to joy if you've struggled with sadness and loss. This is not an exhaustive list, but they are all activities and creative expressions I've used and have found helpful.

In the video I share ways that have helped me recover my joy and move forward. Creativity has been a huge part of that. Also included in this post below is a free downloadable PDF, listing 12 ways to help recover joy.

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12 Ways to Help Recover Your Joy

1) Seek beauty in everyday life and record it by taking a photo and/or writing about it in a journal. I've been doing this about once a week since the end of last year, and every time I am filled with gratitude and my joy level rises. It's kind of like a treasure hunt. Looking around my home or yard and gathering little bits of beauty is fun, and when I arrange the gathered pieces, they prompt good memories and hope for the future.

2) Go for a walk in nature. When I walk, I experience a kind of expansion of my thoughts and get in a rhythm that is helpful to both my physical and mental state of mind. To walk in a beautiful place such as along the shore or in the forest is filled with such diverse beauty and life, I can't help but feel blessed. Sometimes a walk in nature is not possible, so when I'm just walking around my neighborhood I look for natural beauty and either take a photo or pick it up. Sometimes I dry it in my flower press and add it to a journal or artwork. 

3) Music! Play, move, dance to uplifting music, or take a pencil or paint brush for a walk, moving with the music on paper. Sometimes, just having soft music in the background sets the mood and can inspire creativity. Other times it helps to write down the lyrics in a journal.

4) Researching something I am interested in learning more about is one way that helps me get my mind off my problems and into thinking of new ideas. I search online, but also look at my local library. The research has often led to me taking a class, learning a new skill or trying a new thing, like making a new recipe etc. Taking a class and/or learning a new skill gives a positive focus and something to look forward to.

5) Make a list of who to connect with, contact them and make arrangement to get together. One of my defaults is to isolate myself, so it's helped to be intentional by making a list of people I would like to connect with, then to contact them to see if they would like to get together. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but most of the time it does and results in sweet and meaningful conversations that help build good relationships. It is an open-ended list, with additions as desired. This has been one of my biggest joy builders.

6) Read or listen to a book that is up-lifting. It can be a story, non-fiction, or self-help type of book. I do this a lot. It helps me get out of being stuck in my head, learn, make positive changes, and think outside my box. Taking notes helps personalize and remember the thoughts and ideas. Watching an inspirational movie can also help. Keeping a list of favorite movies and shows in my journal helps cut down on the scrolling.

7) Do an act of kindness for someone who lives close by. Reaching out to bless someone in person is a great way to make someone's day and to be blessed in the process of reaching out and giving. It also builds relationship and community.

8) Get out art supplies and do an unplanned, spontaneous activity, such as watercolor doodles or pen or pencil doodling. Take all pressure off to make good art and give yourself permission to play.

9) Plan and nurture a garden. Keep a garden journal. This has so many benefits on so many levels, from healthy food to eat, beautiful flowers to pick and enjoy, being outside, seeing something grow and need to be cared for etc. Keeping a garden journal is one more way to spark ideas and creative expressions.

10) Write down an encouraging quote, thought, or verse and post it where it is easily seen. It helps me to take the time to draw out the quote, making it special while thinking about the truth of its meaning. At a time when I didn't feel like my life mattered, I wrote down the following truth.

11) Write down feelings freely. For those of us who journal, it helps to pour out life's process and pain out onto a page of paper and out of the mind and emotions. It helps release the sorrow.

12) Nurturing one's spiritual life helps release pain and builds trust in Someone and something bigger than self. My faith is very personal with a relationship with Jesus. Some things that have helped me recover joy are the Pause App, by John Eldredge, Wild at Heart. It's free and I listen to it most days on my phone. Years ago I needed to transform my thinking, so I listened to an eleven minute prayer in the morning and before I went to bed. It is the Shalom Prayer by the Maranatha community. You can find a written and audio version at: https://www.maranathacommunity.org.uk/shalom/. You can also find a video version if you scroll down on the home page of my website at https://valeriesjodin.com. 

There's so many things that can help recover and renew joy, these are just a few. I hope you are encouraged and know that you are not alone in the journey.

Blessings,
Valerie

Connect with me by visiting my blog and website at: https://ValerieSjodin.com

Use discount code "Valerie10" to save 10% at checkout at Archer and Olive!