Let me ask you something very important: When the weight of the world feels too heavy on your shoulders—what do you do to care for your mind, body, and spirit?
Maybe you have an answer to that. Maybe you’re still figuring it out. Either way, it’s a question worth sitting with. There’s a lot of shifting energy in our country, in our world—and it deserves a moment of pause and reflection. Because no matter what’s unfolding around us, you deserve to find joy in your daily life.
As I begin to explore the tension between the outer world and the smaller microcosm of our daily lives, one theme keeps returning: dichotomy. The art of holding more than one truth at a time. We are complex beings. We can feel joy and grief simultaneously. We can laugh while our hearts ache. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to do.
You might have a steady self-care routine that grounds you—or maybe you’re patching leaks as they appear, doing the best you can day by day. Whichever boat you’re in, let’s explore how we can anchor ourselves in small, joyful moments.
Turn Toward Your Microcosm
We may not be able to change the decisions made by politicians or shift global tides overnight—but we can find grounding in the here and now.
Can you find a moment of connection with another human being?
Can you step outside, feel the sun on your skin, listen to birdsong, breathe?
These tiny moments of presence and peace are not small at all. They are medicine.
And especially if you’re raising children, ask yourself: What energy am I contributing to the world around me? This isn’t about toxic positivity—we must acknowledge and honor real hardship. AND we must make space for joy. Every day.
Zoom Way Out
When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the antidote is perspective.
Think about the cosmos. The stars. The billions of galaxies. Remember that you are made of stardust. That the timeline of human history is a blink in the grand scheme of things. The Earth will keep spinning tomorrow, and the day after that.
Let that reminder soften the weight.
Create a “Dopamine Checklist”
What consistently brings you joy—not just a quick hit, but a steady sense of well-being?
Maybe it’s dancing, cooking, walking barefoot in the grass, calling a friend, or reading poetry. Make a list. Put it where you can see it. When your tank feels empty, come back to it.
(Doomscrolling? Probably not on that list.)
Let Music Move You
Music is magic. It shifts our energy, brings memories to life, taps into something deep and spiritual. There’s a song out there for every emotion—so when words fail, let the music speak for you.
Care for Your Body
Your body is your vessel—your home. Nourish it. Stretch, walk, move. Eat something that makes you feel whole. Physical wellness fuels emotional resilience.
Five Minutes of Joy
If you could give yourself just five intentional minutes of joy today—what would that look like?
Would it be sitting in the sun? Singing in the car? Watching your pet be silly? Drinking your favorite tea without distraction?
Make it a ritual. A gift to yourself.
We all need to carve out space to reflect on how we’re experiencing joy, because joy isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. So is calm. So is peace.
And you deserve all of it.
With love,
April & Lena.