What do you like?
By Courtney Sutton
No seriously, can you answer the question about what you like? And how do you know you like what you like?
I’m currently in the midst of a day where I feel….even. I suppose one could even describe this feeling as balanced or joy. For me, joy is simplistic, on the emotional spectrum, it's not too far right or left—it's not an overt feeling of extreme happiness or extreme upset; but rather the midpoint between the two; the balance of emotion. If I had to describe it, I would imagine this being the way it feels for a balloon to be released and to float aimlessly through the sky; a peaceful joy...Simply being.
I think days like this are the best time to notice the events or combination of moments that lead to this feeling. As I write this blog I am thinking of all the things that contributed to me feeling at ease today. So what were/are the things that I liked? I like having days that are slow paced and not packed with appointments and activity. I like mid-day dance/giggle breaks with my son. I like listening to podcasts on a morning walk. I like conversations that challenge my thinking and allow me to reflect on my understanding of something. I like to sing along to my favorite songs on a drive. I like to laugh. I like making space to rest when I’m feeling tired. I like to try new things.
As I reflect on this moment, what I notice is on the days when I’m emotionally imbalanced; I tend to lose sight of the things I like. On those days, I can absolutely tell you what I don’t like (even if the emotional imbalance is positive); but I can’t recite the things that I like.
As I continue on my journey of triggering joy, what I’m learning is, the ability to trigger joy is about being able to return to a feeling of balance. The things I like, the moments that trigger joy, are what I need to be able to reset to my emotional baseline. For me that might look like something as simple as finding something to laugh at, or putting in my headphones and listening to an audiobook or music. The benefit to all of this for me is, feeling joy helps me to respond and react to life in the way that feels the most authentic to me. It also helps me when I am feeling over stimulated; I can pick from the things I like to help me reset.
So I’ll leave you here to reflect on what you like. How does finding your joy triggers help you? Leave your responses in the comments and let’s start to share our joy triggers out loud; perhaps your joy trigger can be a catalyst for someone else’s joy! Also, check out the Values Exercise to help you clarify what is most important to you.