Alex, thank you so much for introducing us to joy journaling. I started the year with many losses, sudden shifts, and rugs dragged—i mean ripped—out from under my feet. I kept faith in my future because ever since I started healing and trusting myself, you reminded us to lean into ourselves, into the joy that is already available, and the joy we get to choose with intention.
I am so grateful to look back this month and see that the joy I thought I lost with painful breakups and sudden endings was actually making room for joy so safe and aligned that it surprises me it even exists. Thank you for inspiring us to take a leap and choose people who choose us, and to choose ourselves and our joy.
Yes Lauren! I so agree with your sentiment. Joy spotting definitely gives you something to look forward to. It’s pulled me out of some very tough days. I pray your May is fruitful in joy♥️
This post is achingly beautiful. It leaves us longing to create joy, always, with mindfulness and clarity and optimism. Thank you for your words, the stunning images, and and the life-affirming message.
Hi Alex. This was so needed and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. What brings me joy? Sadly, I'm not really sure. I have been trying to do more things for myself to find joy, peace and clarity. We are coming out of winter and snow here... hopefully, although we did have snowflakes in the air yesterday. Ugh! I'm ready for warm days, sunshine and a desire to be outside. Winters are long and dark here. While I do enjoy hibernating I'm needing time away from those that I love. LOL. As an introvert I am finding that everything annoys me right now, including just the sounds that the people around me make. So joy.... I am in desperate need. I have been following you for quite awhile, from IG, your podcasts, and now here on Substack. I started to read your book again with a little bit each night before bed. I love you very much and appreciate your writing so very much. The last Walking podcast that I was able to listen to you spoke of your health journey this last year. It is making me want to finally get off my butt and start taking better care of my health. I have really let myself go of late and I know that is making me feel miserable mentally as well. I look forward to start my own journey. I would love to get back to Yoga. I know that I will be a big sobbing mess on my mat. It is all part of the practice. This turned into a bit of a disjointed rant. I really just wanted to say hello and thank you for sharing your beauty with us!❤
Thank You Alex for the gentle reminder. I need to be more intentional about cultivating my joy practice. Opening myself up to it. Something in brain stops me from truly seeing the simplest things as a moment of joy because I’ve always thought that I needed to earn it or the moment needed to be grand. But you’re teaching us through your journey how to cultivate for ourselves. For that I’m truly grateful. 🤍
Love this idea that Joy should be strategic…not just something we hope happens to us. By planning for it may we feel empowered in creating joyful lives!
Thank you Alex, for your beautiful post and words. I enjoy Joy journaling so much even if i find most of my joys are the same things everyday 😂☺️🥰 but the simplicity, gratitude and awe of that is keeping me rooted in noticing my aliveness, the wonder of life and the world and remaining optimistic about how magical things are..sending love to you!!☺️🩷❤️🌸🌸
Joy spotting has made me hone in on my mindfulness practices daily. April came in and shook things up! A whole lot of healing happened during this month. I walked into April carrying years of unresolved trauma, and I’m leaving all of those overweight suitcases right here in April. I couldn’t be more grateful for the timing of everything that occurred this month because I get to walk into my birth month feeling lighter. Prioritizing my joy created space for me to figure out what does/doesn’t feel good. I’ve had an easier time saying no this month and not feeling guilty about it. I’m excited for the monster to come as I continue exercising my right to joy daily🤎
Your posts always come right on time and helps me wind down at the end of the day. Helps to jump start reflection and what brought me joy throughout the day, even if it was a tough one. Ironically, I hadn't even realized I was scheduling my joy until this post. Blocking out time for walks, gardening or just pockets of time to clear my head. Not sure if I just started doing it subconsciously but clearly my spirit did it intentionally. It knew exactly what I needed! Thank you Alex for sharing your wisdom, your joy and your journey 🙏🏾✨️
P.s I'm excited about this launch tomorrow as I've been wanting to get a new scent! Two of my favorite notes..Lavender and Palo Santo🥰 Will it be in stores or online only?
Thank you for sharing everything that you do. You are a gift.
I can't quite recall where I heard you mention choosing a word theme for the year, but I started doing this in 2023, and since then, it has allowed me to feel more aligned. That first year was patience. The gentle reminder throughout the year was wildly helpful in allowing me to follow a path I needed to follow.
In 2024, letting go came to me as the theme. I had no idea how difficult this would be or the magnitude of change this theme would bring. It was an incredibly tough year, but I trusted that learning to let go was absolutely what I needed to learn. I allowed myself to flow with it.
This year, my word theme is, find the joy. This came to me in December, and I've been wowed by how your postings have been so aligned for me.
This could not be more true ---> "What you pay attention to grows—let that be joy."
Alex, thank you so much for introducing us to joy journaling. I started the year with many losses, sudden shifts, and rugs dragged—i mean ripped—out from under my feet. I kept faith in my future because ever since I started healing and trusting myself, you reminded us to lean into ourselves, into the joy that is already available, and the joy we get to choose with intention.
I am so grateful to look back this month and see that the joy I thought I lost with painful breakups and sudden endings was actually making room for joy so safe and aligned that it surprises me it even exists. Thank you for inspiring us to take a leap and choose people who choose us, and to choose ourselves and our joy.
Thank you for being here with me. xo
Yes Lauren! I so agree with your sentiment. Joy spotting definitely gives you something to look forward to. It’s pulled me out of some very tough days. I pray your May is fruitful in joy♥️
This post is achingly beautiful. It leaves us longing to create joy, always, with mindfulness and clarity and optimism. Thank you for your words, the stunning images, and and the life-affirming message.
Thank you, thank you.
This was so timely. Thank you for sharing this practice. It has brought so much light to my life and I look forward to continuing this into May ✨
Hi Alex. This was so needed and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. What brings me joy? Sadly, I'm not really sure. I have been trying to do more things for myself to find joy, peace and clarity. We are coming out of winter and snow here... hopefully, although we did have snowflakes in the air yesterday. Ugh! I'm ready for warm days, sunshine and a desire to be outside. Winters are long and dark here. While I do enjoy hibernating I'm needing time away from those that I love. LOL. As an introvert I am finding that everything annoys me right now, including just the sounds that the people around me make. So joy.... I am in desperate need. I have been following you for quite awhile, from IG, your podcasts, and now here on Substack. I started to read your book again with a little bit each night before bed. I love you very much and appreciate your writing so very much. The last Walking podcast that I was able to listen to you spoke of your health journey this last year. It is making me want to finally get off my butt and start taking better care of my health. I have really let myself go of late and I know that is making me feel miserable mentally as well. I look forward to start my own journey. I would love to get back to Yoga. I know that I will be a big sobbing mess on my mat. It is all part of the practice. This turned into a bit of a disjointed rant. I really just wanted to say hello and thank you for sharing your beauty with us!❤
Thank you for sharing your joys and prompting us to find our joys! I anticipate and enjoy your messages each week!
I agree, this is an achingly beautiful post, which includes all the photos. Thank you, Alex, for reminding us that we can nurture and facilitate joy
Thank You Alex for the gentle reminder. I need to be more intentional about cultivating my joy practice. Opening myself up to it. Something in brain stops me from truly seeing the simplest things as a moment of joy because I’ve always thought that I needed to earn it or the moment needed to be grand. But you’re teaching us through your journey how to cultivate for ourselves. For that I’m truly grateful. 🤍
I love this … creating a joy menu .. the photos are beautiful too. I need to find more joy in my life.. I keep saying it .
A Joy menu sounds delicious.
I’ll be taking some time to meditate on this and not only think on it but move in it.
What would it feel like to stop waiting on joy and start making room for it?
Thank you for your wisdom sis!
Love this idea that Joy should be strategic…not just something we hope happens to us. By planning for it may we feel empowered in creating joyful lives!
Thank you Alex, for your beautiful post and words. I enjoy Joy journaling so much even if i find most of my joys are the same things everyday 😂☺️🥰 but the simplicity, gratitude and awe of that is keeping me rooted in noticing my aliveness, the wonder of life and the world and remaining optimistic about how magical things are..sending love to you!!☺️🩷❤️🌸🌸
I needed this today more than ever, thank you! 🙏
Joy spotting has made me hone in on my mindfulness practices daily. April came in and shook things up! A whole lot of healing happened during this month. I walked into April carrying years of unresolved trauma, and I’m leaving all of those overweight suitcases right here in April. I couldn’t be more grateful for the timing of everything that occurred this month because I get to walk into my birth month feeling lighter. Prioritizing my joy created space for me to figure out what does/doesn’t feel good. I’ve had an easier time saying no this month and not feeling guilty about it. I’m excited for the monster to come as I continue exercising my right to joy daily🤎
Your posts always come right on time and helps me wind down at the end of the day. Helps to jump start reflection and what brought me joy throughout the day, even if it was a tough one. Ironically, I hadn't even realized I was scheduling my joy until this post. Blocking out time for walks, gardening or just pockets of time to clear my head. Not sure if I just started doing it subconsciously but clearly my spirit did it intentionally. It knew exactly what I needed! Thank you Alex for sharing your wisdom, your joy and your journey 🙏🏾✨️
P.s I'm excited about this launch tomorrow as I've been wanting to get a new scent! Two of my favorite notes..Lavender and Palo Santo🥰 Will it be in stores or online only?
Thank you for sharing everything that you do. You are a gift.
I can't quite recall where I heard you mention choosing a word theme for the year, but I started doing this in 2023, and since then, it has allowed me to feel more aligned. That first year was patience. The gentle reminder throughout the year was wildly helpful in allowing me to follow a path I needed to follow.
In 2024, letting go came to me as the theme. I had no idea how difficult this would be or the magnitude of change this theme would bring. It was an incredibly tough year, but I trusted that learning to let go was absolutely what I needed to learn. I allowed myself to flow with it.
This year, my word theme is, find the joy. This came to me in December, and I've been wowed by how your postings have been so aligned for me.
This could not be more true ---> "What you pay attention to grows—let that be joy."
Thank you 🙏💖
This was amazing and gave me energy