Jump Start Your Joy
Three Gentle Ways to Jump Start Your Joy

Three Gentle Ways to Jump Start Your Joy (plus a quote from Michelle Obama)

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Paula

In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I’m diving into something we all need right now: gentle, accessible ways to reconnect with joy during difficult times. I open with a powerful quote from Michelle Obama about planning for joy, especially for those of us who are caretakers, empaths, or sensitive types who can easily get burnt out. This isn’t about a total life reset or New Year reinvention, it’s about finding our way back to center through small, meaningful moments that help us stay steady when life feels heavy.

I explore three distinct types of joy that can serve as doorways back to ourselves: comfort joy (the soothing, familiar things that help us exhale), connecting joy (the vital relationships that remind us we’re not alone), and meaningful joy (the deeper pursuits that connect us to something bigger than ourselves).

I also share my own 2026 plans, including getting back to playing the flute, growing this show, creating a calm and welcoming home, and deepening my work with labyrinths. Whether you’re feeling creatively drained or just need permission to slow down, this episode offers practical ways to make room for joy in your life.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Michelle Obama’s wisdom on planning for joy as a vital practice for caretakers
  • Comfort joy: soothing, familiar practices that help reset your nervous system
  • Connecting joy: the importance of reaching out to friends and building meaningful relationships
  • Meaningful joy: exploring what’s deeply significant to you, from spiritual practices to creative pursuits
  • How to schedule one gentle joy this week without striving for perfection
  • My 2026 goals: music, podcasting, home projects, and labyrinth work
  • The concept of “well planned and loosely held” when setting intentions

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