My Favorite Joy Hacks: Simple Ways I Stay Joyful When Life Feels Heavy

When Joy Feels Out of Reach

Hey, friend. If you’re in a season where joy feels far away—or if you’ve ever had those days where everything that could go wrong does—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. I’ve had mornings where the to-do list feels endless, clients suddenly disappear, the tech just won’t work, and my heart feels heavy for reasons I can’t even explain.

And yet, I’ve learned something powerful: joy doesn’t wait for things to be perfect. It doesn’t require sunshine or clarity. Joy shows up in the storm when we choose to invite it in.

Finding joy when things feel hard, and learning how to hold onto it when life gets messy.

What’s a Joy Hack, Anyway?

I like to call them "joy hacks"—those little, intentional things I do that shift my perspective and reset my spirit. They're not always big or dramatic. Sometimes it’s pausing to breathe deeply before a Zoom call. Other times, it’s turning off my phone and blasting worship music while making breakfast. And yes—sometimes it’s grabbing a piece of dark chocolate and whispering, “Jesus, I need You to carry this today.”

Joy hacks are not about ignoring the hard stuff. They’re about remembering where our strength comes from and choosing to lean into the joy God already promised us. (Nehemiah 8:10—“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Let that sink in.)

Joy vs. Happiness: There’s a Big Difference

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: happiness is fragile, but joy is fierce. Happiness depends on what’s happening. But joy is rooted in who God is, not in what’s going right.

Even when my business was struggling… even when I felt like I was failing behind the scenes… God’s joy was still available to me. And when I stopped chasing the feeling of happiness and started practicing the discipline of joy, things changed. Not always externally—but deep inside. I felt stronger. Calmer. Grounded.

Business Isn’t Always Beautiful—But Joy Is Still Possible

Let’s talk about the real stuff. What about when your launch flops? Or a client ghosts you after weeks of back and forth? Or your content doesn’t land like you hoped?

I’ve faced all of that. And let me be honest—it stings. But I’ve also learned that joy is a business strategy. It keeps me showing up. It keeps me soft. It keeps me grounded in purpose instead of performance. My favorite joy hacks for business?

• Praying over my laptop before a workday.
  
  
• Keeping sticky notes of Scripture on my desk.
  
  
• Celebrating small wins (like sending that follow-up email I was avoiding).
  
  
• Laughing at the chaos instead of fighting it.
  
  
• Saying “thank You, God” even when I don’t see the full picture yet.
  
  

Simple Joy Practices You Can Start Today

If you’re wondering how to bring more joy into your life and business, here are a few small things that make a big difference for me:

• Gratitude journaling in the morning—just 3 things, even on the hard days.
  
  
• Reading one encouraging Scripture out loud before I open my inbox.
  
  
• Texting someone to say “I appreciate you.”
  
  
• Taking a slow walk outside without any distractions.
  
  
• Choosing joy with my words. (Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.)
  
  

These might sound simple—but simple doesn’t mean powerless.

Final Thoughts from My Heart to Yours

Friend, I want to leave you with this: you don’t have to wait for things to be perfect to choose joy. And you don’t need to pretend everything’s okay either. It’s okay to cry. To rest. To feel what you’re feeling. But after the tears, come back to the truth: joy is yours in Christ.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” That’s my prayer for you today.

If you're in a tough place, you are not alone—and joy is not out of reach. You’re stronger than you think. And God’s joy? It’s already inside of you. Let’s walk in that truth together.

🎧 Want More?

Tune in to Episode 10 of the Joy Inspired Podcast:
🎙 “Joy Hacks: Strategies to Elevate Joy”
Pour your coffee, grab your journal, and let’s talk about joy that sticks—even in the mess.