Finding Joy to Empower Your Anxious Self

Introduction

Now that I’m a student in university, taking care of myself and finding joy is my responsibility. Not only do I need to do things like buying gluten-free food at the grocery store or washing the dishes by hand, I also need to do things like having fun and watching movies. When you’re disabled or even if you have a mental illness, this can be really difficult to do. Being able to find the balance between doing too much work or too much play, becomes a million times harder when staying alive is very time-consuming. That’s why I want to talk about finding joy and having fun even when it feels impossible. Currently, I am in more physical pain everyday than I have ever been in my whole life. However, I am getting better at making time for myself, taking care of myself, doing the work, and finding joy while feeling anxious. I’m not gonna lie. It’s exhausting, but it’s worth it.

Finding Joy at All Times

I think that before you can find joy in the hard times, you need to be able to find joy in the good times. This is so cliche, I know. Try to remember that just because you’re having an amazing day that it doesn’t mean you should stop brushing your teeth or looking both ways when you cross the street. Finding joy in all times looks like setting yourself up for success ahead of time instead of falling into self-sabotage. Whether you are currently in a good time or bad, I challenge you to do something this week that helps you to find joy. It could look like finally taking a break from school work or going outside for some fresh air. Joy isn’t always automatic or instant. So, put down the phone (after reading this lovely post) and do something that’s been weighing down on you or that you’ve been dying to try. If you don’t have access to a lot of resources, energy, or money, find joy in something small. Grab your headphones, shut your eyes, and listen to your favorite happy song. Maybe even do a little dance!

Finding Joy in the Waiting

Did you know it’s possible to find joy in the horrid seasons of waiting that everyone feels so anxious and stressed about? Recently, I’ve just felt stuck and stagnant and I think that’s something a lot of people are feeling. We’re all collectively experiencing a season of waiting whether we want to or not. So, truly, we’re all in this together! Waiting is one of those things that just sucks. There’s no way to get around it, no one to bribe, no special fast pass, you just have to wait. However, that doesn’t mean you have to wait dejectedly. You’re able to wait with friends (even virtually), wait while watching your favorite tv show or reading your favorite book, wait while taking classes and being productive, and just wait while keeping busy. Just because you feel stuck in one area, doesn’t mean you need to feel stuck in all areas. Take a second to honestly consider where you’re waiting and where you’re growing. I promise there will be something in both. For example, right now I am waiting to be able to travel again and visit friends in person. Even still, I am growing closer to the friends I’m in touch with and using all my extra time to grow as a human being.

Finding Joy in the Pain & Anxiety

I think that this one is the hardest to do–whether it’s physical or emotional pain–because pain tends to overwhelm the senses. Do you feel hungry? No, pain. Do you feel sad? Not quite, just pain. Do you feel excited for the concert? I wish, pain. To be able to thrive in life, you must be able to find joy in the pain, especially if you have a mental illness or disability. One tactic I learned early on in therapy that really helps me is to put my depressed and anxious thoughts is a container exercise. My container looks like a clear mason jar with fairy lights floating inside. Once I put an unhealthy thought into the jar, I shut it tight and nothing can escape until I re-open the jar. Anytime I feel a flashback or overwhelming thought, I contain the thought and postpone when I will experience it by locking it in my jar. For people who’ve experienced trauma or have extremely distracting mental illness, this habit can help us to function normally (whatever that is) and in a more healthy way. While I am not a mental health professional and this doesn’t work for everyone, it helps me by allowing me to set a time limit on how long I keep the jar open when I am feeling a negative emotion (how long I allow myself to pay attention to the panic or depression). In doing so, I’m able to start finding joy throughout the rest of the day. This is not done to avoid problems but to remind yourself that you are in control, not your thoughts.

Conclusion

Finding joy when you’re feeling anxious and in all times, can be really difficult and overwhelming if you try to focus on the big picture. That’s why I tried to share small, easy changes that you can start practicing today to empower yourself in your everyday life. No matter where you live, what you have access to, and what you’re doing with your life, you should be able to have the tools to start finding joy instead of always feeling bogged down by responsibilities and expectations.