Living Life : The Power of Joy
The Power of joy
The more we practice noticing it, the more access we gain to it.
Embracing Joy
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on joy—what it means to feel it.
I notice the joy I experience when I get a whiff of a flowering tree. It delights me. I feel joy when I see the smile of someone I love. When I feel accepted and valued as myself I feel joy in the deepest parts of my being. I feel joy when someone else believes in me and trusts in my process. I feel joy when I eat something delicious. And I feel joy when I create something I’m proud of.
I’ve also experienced depression, anxiety, frustration, irritability, anger, and pain—sometimes in the same day as I felt joy. These are real, valid experiences that deserve attention and care. But for some of us, it can be difficult to give as much attention to what feels wonderful.
There are a multitude of reasons for silencing our joy. We might feel like we’re boasting or bragging. We may not be in the practice of taking notice of our joy. We may become anxious that by expressing feelings of excitement, joyfulness, or being in love, we are acting foolishly or inviting cynicism or jinxing our happiness. It seems as if joy is so fragile that if we allow ourselves to truly feel it, we will become too accustomed to it, making it excessively painful when it eventually leaves.
What if, instead of shying away from the good feelings, we allowed ourselves to recognize and speak about them more openly?
Reclaiming Space for Joy
In a culture steeped in comparison, curated social media lives, and constant crisis, authentic joy can feel out of place—or even indulgent. We’re conditioned to find what’s wrong, endure our pain points, or pretend our lives are picture perfect. And yet, real joy is not a luxury; it’s a vital component of emotional balance and well-being.
This isn’t about bypassing pain or masking reality with positivity. It’s about making space for joy to coexist with the harder emotions. Recognizing what feels good—even in small, subtle ways—is a meaningful act of self-awareness and care.
A Practice for Naming Joy
One tool that’s helped me make more space for joy is an emotions wheel—a visual guide to a wider emotional vocabulary. Rather than defaulting to broad terms like “happy” or “okay,” I use a wheel to ask myself: When was the last time I felt genuinely good? How would I describe that feeling?
Here are a few words I’ve chosen recently and how I felt when I used them:
Amused – lightness from a spontaneous laugh.
Valued – feeling appreciated and loved for who I am.
Important – a quiet sense that I matter to myself or someone else.
Delighted – being sparked by the pleasure from something simple or unexpected.
Grounded – a feeling of calm strength, anchored and present.
Proud – a sense of self-respect from effort and achievement.
Why Naming Joy Matters
When we avoid joy, we risk narrowing our emotional range. We start to believe that only struggle is valid, that acknowledging happiness is somehow tone-deaf or superficial, or that it’s our job to grind so that other people can be happy. But joy is not the opposite of struggle—it’s part of the same human story. It provides contrast, healing, and a reminder of what’s possible.
Naming joy creates balance. It reminds us that lightness exists, even when the world feels heavy. It teaches our brains and bodies that pleasure, connection, and ease are not only welcome but necessary.
The Invitation
The next time you feel a flicker of joy—no matter how small—pause and name it. Feel it. Without apology. Without judgment. Without worrying about how long it will last. Write it down. Share it with someone. Let it sink into the depths of your being.
Because joy is not merely a sweet emotion—it’s a powerful one. The more we practice noticing it, the more access we gain to it.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.
In my private therapy practice, I meet you exactly where you are—with compassion, curiosity, and an open mind. Together, we explore patterns, uncover new perspectives, and practice tools that support clearer communication, self-advocacy, authentic connection, and the pursuit of a life rooted in meaning, purpose, and vitality.
In addition to my clinical work, I’m also a professional artist, continually following my creativity into new forms of emotional and psychological exploration. Each discipline enriches the other, both grounded in a deep commitment to growth and expression.
Contact me to set up a free 30-minute intro call.
Email: katie@katiehathorjones.com
Website: www.katiehathorjones.com/therapy-coaching
