Joy.
Let’s talk about it.
Because when you’re recovering from an eating disorder, or just finding your way through the obstacle course of life, I think finding joy is something that is vitally important.
When I was in my anorexia, joy was nonexistent. I’ve said it time and time again that ED is a damn THIEF, and one of the biggest things he likes to steal is your joy.
But you already knew that. You’ve lived it.
And even if you don’t have an eating disorder, there are other culprits in your life that try to steal your joy: busyness, competitive natures, jealousy, comparisons, perfectionism, self-doubt, anxiety, fear, I could go on and on, all trying to steal your joy.
But with anorexia and eating disorders, such a huge aspect of the disease is denying yourself joy: whether that be the joy of experiencing delicious and nourishing foods, the joy of spending time with loved ones, being gentle with yourself, relaxing, giving of your time, giving of your heart, treating yourself to things – either new clothes, a special outing, a dessert, etc. Long story short: joy was always denied. Because allowing yourself to experience joy would show too much self-love.
So when you’re in recovery, one of the most important things to reintroduce to your life is joy.
And this is something that I am definitely still working on.
You see, there’s a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is a fleeting emotion, where joy is a deep, soul-level experience. You can be happy for a number of reasons. You can be happy because the Bachelorette finale was on. You can be happy that you’re favorite song is on the radio. You can be happy that it’s summer and you don’t have school. But joy is different. True joy comes from the heart.
And therefore, experiencing joy goes hand-in-hand with loving yourself. For in order to allow your heart to experience joy, you have to first allow your heart to experience self-love.
I know, this is getting a little deep for a weeknight. But this is something that is very important.
Because for all that time when you were in your disease, you were denying yourself joy. And let’s face it: joy is central to who you are, and who you are to become.
So that’s why it is vital for recovery. It is so important to incorporate joy back in your life, both as a way to show yourself love, and also as a way to fall in love with life again — because that will allow you to truly bloom.
Proverbs 17: “A joyful heart is good medicine.”
So what is joy?
Joy is being present in the moment with people who love you.
Joy is giving of your time or your talents freely. Without expecting anything in return. Because you love people and you acknowledge that you have something to offer the world.
Joy is being there for a friend when they need it most, and letting them be there for you.
Joy is recognizing that you are loved, and allowing that state of love to influence your decisions and your outlook.
Joy is dancing to a song because you are full of life and your spirit is alive.
Joy is treating yourself to something special because you are worth it.
Joy is loving yourself.
Joy is forgiving yourself.
These actions communicate to yourself that you love yourself. That you believe in your value and worth. That you are worth joy.
I am still working on this. And my challenge to you – and myself – is to push myself to do just one thing today — in the next hour — to show myself joy. If you want to get really crazy, try for two!
Let’s choose joy. Because the truth of the matter is that you are worth joy. And your life is worth rejoicing.
Let’s have a joyful week.
xx
22 responses to “The Importance of Joy”
This a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing. You are right- Joy is so important. Choosing the Joy of the Lord can be hard, but life is overall easier when we let God rule our hearts over emotions.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that:) so glad you stopped by!
Great post! We could all use a little more joy in our lives.
Thank you so much! Yes definitely. Bring on the joy! Thanks for stopping by!
I can completely relate to this. However, I think that we don’t experience/cant experience joy when we’re in our EDs bc we’re so malnourished and sick…our bodies don’t even have the energy to do so 🙁
What a true point! Thank you for that perspective. You’re absolutely right. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!
I loved this post! You’re right that anorexia is a damn thief! One of the joys of life is indeed to find the joy in life. I really love what you wrote, thank you so much for sharing! Xo
thank you so much, Angharad. I appreciate your comments! Thanks for stopping by! xx
True it’s so easy to deprive ourselves of joy especially when we focus on the sheer difficulty of recovery. Let’s face it: we are battling against ingrained habits and thought-processes that may have overwhelmed our lives for years. But like you included in your post “A joyful heart is good medicine.” Even though it may be hard at first, when we cultivate joy and give/share joy, we will become genuinely joyful people! This is what I want and thanks for sharing this inspiring post. 😀
Thanks so much Jade. You’re right, it’s a cycle. You give joy, you become joyful! Thanks for stopping by! Xx
Thank you so much for your visit to my blog and for the likes. May you be bless more abundantly in the name of Jesus Christ.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that! Glad you stopped by 🙂
Love your post. Awesome. I feel you. Wow. What a sense of fighting. Good for you. Out of compassion, because you pointed out “perfection” as a culprit, allow me to say this; (my quote) “The quest for perfection is born out of imperfection”. IE it comes from the outcome of the Biblical Fall. It is a trickster. People pat themselves on the back proudly saying; “You know me, I’m a perfectionist.” Little realizing their bondage and diminishing joy. Thank you. And thanks for stopping by, and for the like. Come again.
What great perspective. Thank you for that. I really appreciate it. Glad you stopped by!
Great Post ! very encouraging.
Thank you so much Joanne! Glad you stopped by!
I wish I could like this post 1000 times! I don’t have ED but I have my own demons that try to “steal my joy” (some of which you mentioned – like anxiety). The last few weeks I have been making a conscious effort to lessen the negativity and try to relax more – like one of your points about dancing to a song and feeling the spirit – it sounds so simple but it can be really hard to let yourself enjoy things like that if you have made it a habit not to. I’ve re-read this post a few times and I’m sure I will come back and read it again and again because I want to and need to start letting more joy into my life. Thank you so much for posting this and also for liking my post earlier today, because without that, I wouldn’t have found you and your wonderful words! x
Thank you so much 🙂 I really appreciate such encouraging words! I’m glad you *enjoyed* ((hehe)) this post. thanks for stopping by! have a great night!
I liked this one! I’ll offer you something I wrote on joy last year: https://jeffreyhking.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/enjoying-joy/
Enjoy!
Thanks Jeffrey! I look forward to checking out your link. Thanks for sharing:)
As always, very provocative post and profound as well. Joy is a central key to really and truly living. I choose joy. Thanks!
Thanks so much! Yay for joy! You’re right: it is absolutely central to life. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs!