Episode 11: Why You Need a Joy List

A lot of the personal growth ideas and strategies that I share with you are things that I have implemented for years at this point. But today, I am so excited to share with you a relatively new strategy that I use to help put me in a good headspace, especially when things get hard. And that is my joy list!

What is it? 

Allow me to introduce you to the joy list. A joy list is a list of activities that make you happy. When you’re feeling yourself spiral, for whatever reason, this list is your go-to. 

Maybe you’re feeling frustrated, or overwhelmed or seasonal affective disorder is creeping on you. Joy list to the rescue! 

I keep my joy list in my MAP Book. I found that by placing a sticky note on the page, it serves as a constant reminder of the tool. 

As you probably know at this point, I use one MAP Book per quarter, and I rewrite my joy list every time. The reason I do this is because many things on my list are seasonal. Certain candles, activities or sensory inputs don’t translate across seasons. For example, on my winter joy list, I have “snuggle under blanket with lights off and Christmas tree lights on.” Yeah, that won’t fly in July!

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My Joy List for Summer

My summer list looks like this: 

• Pedicure
• Reading a book in the afternoon
• Budgeting 
• Wandering Target or Homegoods
• Read letter to my perseverance 
• Watch my favorite YouTube videos about personal finance

My Joy List for Winter

This list looks a little different and is always longer. I struggle with seasonal affective depressive disorder in the long, cold winter months so I find that I lean on my joy list more than I do in other seasons. By having this list ready to go EARLY in the season, I can prepare myself with items that I know bring me joy for when those dark moods start to creep.

In early October, I usually go out and stock up on frozen sugar cookies, scented candles and a warm blanket or two for the couch. The Homegoods run makes me happy and I am confident that I’m equipped with my joy list items. It helps me feel proactive about my mood during the cold months in New England. 

Here are some things on my winter list: 

• Watching “Christmas Vacation” with my family
• Lighting an evergreen candle
• Baking sugar cookies
• Snuggling under a blanket with the Christmas tree lights on

Why I Am Obsessed With My Joy List

There are a few reasons why I am obsessed with my joy list. 

The first reason is because the activities on the list are concrete. Whenever I feel myself start to get in a rut or feel down, I know I can take immediate action by just turning to the list. Honestly, sometimes I just THINK about something on my joy list and I feel a little surge go through me. It takes some practice and consistency, but it works! 

The next reason I am obsessed with this list is because there is an activity for whatever time frame you have available. If a client cancels at the last minute, I can turn to my list and be inspired to run out for a pedicure or go home and read a book in the afternoon. Or, if I have a few extra minutes before school lets out, I can pull up my favorite YouTube videos. 

Finally, the third reason why I am obsessed with my joy list is because it WORKS…and quickly! I can’t tell you how many times it has shifted my mindset from overwhelmed despair to a smile on my face and my confidence returning. Granted, it’s not magic, but it’s an action step you can take to be in control of your mindset.

Let’s Make a Plan!

What are you waiting for? It’s time to create your joy list! Challenge yourself to write down 7-10 things that can make you happy immediately. Toss a sticky note on that page of your MAP Book and challenge yourself to do one thing on your list every day. It’s totally fine if you repeat an activity on multiple days, add or subtract activities – you do you, mama! 

Be sure to subscribe on Spotify or YouTube so you don’t miss next week’s episode: Episode 12: The 5 Top Habits Every Busy Mom Needs. I so wish I had started these earlier! 

If you want to connect between episodes, be sure to give me a follow over on Instagram – @sharonlegercoaching. On my stories this week, I am going to be sharing the two things that make me deliriously happy during the summer, from my summer joy list – of course!  

Finally, be sure to subscribe to my email list to get weekly personal growth delivered right to your inbox – and because I know you’re busy mama, I promise it will include a meaningful action step that will take you 2 minutes or less to implement! 

Thank you so much for being here, mama! Get back to doing your thing, rocking your world and remember – keep growing! Little eyes are watching. 

Did You Love This Episode?

If so, be sure to share it with a friend – this helps busy moms like you to find me!

And finally, you can also check out these related episodes that I think you’ll be obsessed with:

Getting Your Mom Mindset Right

How to Priority Plan When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

How a 99¢ Notebook Saved My Life