The Joy Journey: Finding and Keeping Your Inner Spark
Written By Latosha Walker
Founder & CEO, Wondering.Waves | Military Spouse | Creator | Storyteller
Published: November 11, 2025
Day 11: The Joy Journey: Finding and Keeping Your Inner Spark — exploring how to rediscover joy in everyday moments, overcome barriers, and cultivate lasting happiness through mindful practices and kindness. Join me as we embrace joy as a continual journey, not just a fleeting feeling.
Understanding Joy: More Than a Fleeting Feeling
Sometimes, joy feels like a distant visitor—brief and rare, slipping away before we can truly hold onto it. Life’s demands and distractions often pull us away from those moments that make our hearts light and our spirits soar. But joy isn’t just a passing feeling; it’s a powerful, natural energy within us all that can be rekindled and allowed to flow freely.
We all experience little bursts of happiness throughout our days—a kind word from a friend, an unexpected success, or simply a quiet moment of peace amidst the chaos. These sparks can brighten our lives, but without intention, they can easily fade. The real gift lies in learning how to invite joy in deliberately and make it a lasting part of our everyday experience.
Bathed in soft sunlight and wrapped in cozy warmth, this gentle moment captures the quiet beauty of reflection and self-care. A peaceful pause that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your inner calm.
Recognizing Joy’s Subtle Signs
Joy often arrives quietly, without fanfare or grand gestures. It hides in the little details that might otherwise slip past unnoticed. It might be the way the morning sun warms your face as you sip your first cup of coffee, or the soft rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze during a walk. Maybe it’s the unexpected smile from a stranger or the comfort of a favorite song playing softly in the background.
Learning to recognize these subtle signals takes practice, especially when life feels overwhelming. Our minds tend to focus on what’s urgent or stressful, pushing aside moments of calm and happiness. But by tuning in, even briefly, to these small joys, you create pockets of light that can brighten your entire day.
Try this simple exercise: pause for a moment and take a slow, deep breath. Look around and name three small things that bring you a sense of peace or happiness right now. It could be the color of the sky, the scent of fresh laundry, or the feeling of your feet on the ground. These tiny moments are the threads that weave a joyful life.
Common Barriers to Experiencing Joy
Sometimes, joy feels just out of reach, blocked by invisible walls built from stress, self-doubt, or the relentless pace of daily life. It’s easy to get caught in cycles of worry, perfectionism, or distraction that dim the light of joy—even when good things are happening around us.
Stress and overwhelm can make us feel like joy is a luxury we can’t afford. When your mind is racing or your to-do list feels endless, it’s hard to slow down enough to notice moments of happiness. Self-criticism and negative self-talk also act as barriers, convincing us that we don’t deserve joy or that we have to earn it through achievement.
Technology and constant connectivity can pull our attention away from the present, making it harder to savor simple pleasures. Social comparisons on social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy, further blocking joy’s flow.
The good news is that these barriers are not permanent. With gentle awareness and self-compassion, you can begin to dismantle them. Practices like mindfulness, setting healthy boundaries, and reframing negative thoughts create space for joy to re-enter your life. Remember, joy is your birthright—it’s always there beneath the noise, waiting patiently for you to welcome it back.
Practical Ways to Invite Joy Daily
Cultivating joy doesn’t require grand gestures or dramatic changes—it starts with small, intentional actions woven into your everyday routine. One of the most effective ways to welcome more joy is to create simple rituals that help you slow down and savor the present moment. This could be as easy as pausing for a few deep breaths when you wake up, lighting a favorite candle, or taking a mindful walk outside.
Expressing gratitude is another powerful tool. Try keeping a small notebook or using your phone to jot down three things that brought you a smile each day. Over time, this practice rewires your brain to notice and appreciate the positive, even on challenging days.
Joy also grows when you give yourself permission to play and be creative. Whether it’s doodling, dancing around the kitchen, trying a new recipe, or exploring a hobby just for fun, these moments let your spirit breathe and reconnect with what makes you feel alive.
Finally, sharing joy with others multiplies its effect. Reach out to a friend, offer a genuine compliment, or perform a small act of kindness. The ripple effect of joy is real—when you spread it, you invite even more into your own life.
Joy as a Practice, Not a Destination
It’s easy to think of joy as something we chase—a prize waiting at the end of a perfect day or a reward for achieving our goals. But real, lasting joy isn’t a finish line; it’s a way of moving through the world, a practice of returning to yourself with openness and curiosity, again and again.
Some days, joy will come easily, bubbling up in laughter or a beautiful moment. Other days, it may feel far away, hidden beneath layers of stress or sorrow. Both are natural parts of the journey. By treating joy as a practice, you give yourself permission to start fresh each day, to notice what’s good and gentle, even in small ways.
The more you practice inviting joy in—through awareness, gratitude, creativity, and kindness—the more it becomes a steady companion. Over time, you may find that joy flows more freely, not because life is perfect, but because you’ve learned to welcome it, whatever the day brings.
Closing Reflection: Your Joy Journey Awaits
Joy is not a secret treasure hidden somewhere beyond reach—it’s a living, breathing part of you, waiting to be rediscovered and nurtured. As you move through your days, remember that joy isn’t about perfection or constant happiness. It’s about finding those sparks that light up your heart, even in ordinary moments.
I invite you to be gentle with yourself as you explore what brings you joy. Notice the small delights, practice kindness toward your own heart, and allow yourself to savor the journey—not just the destination. Your joy journey is uniquely yours, and every step you take toward it is a beautiful act of self-love.
May you find your inner spark and let it shine brightly, lighting the way to a life filled with warmth, connection, and happiness.
With warmth and wonder,
Latosha