How to get your Joy Back

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Chile, this week has been a lot!

Like seriously…

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Between yet another lockdown in the UK (where I’m based), the storming of the Capitol stateside and more- I think that we can all agree on that

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Recently, I talked about the fact that faith increases our capacity to succeed

Click here if you missed that, sis!

But did you know that you have other capacities too?

For example:

A) Mental capacity

The ability to make your own decisions

B) Emotional capacity

The ability to overcome limiting beliefs, your ease in adapting to challenging situations, and the quality of your relationships

C) Physical capacity

The ability to perform a variety of physical tasks

In the wake of such trying times, we run the risk of running low in one or more of these capacities

Which will then have knock-on effects on our ability to walk in purpose because…

As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and this is really clearly illustrated in 2nd Kings 4:1-7

in which the woman literally took empty vessels, poured oil into them until they were full and then distributed the oil for profit.

2nd Timothy 2:21 says that we are “vessels of honour” so, like the widow did with hers, we need to make sure to fill ourselves up before we pour out to others. Here are 20 ways that I have been doing that this week:

Apart from the typical advice of praying and reading the Bible, in between, work, I have been doing one or more of the following each day:

#1 Going on walks

My local park is so peaceful. Plus, walking is great for releasing anxiety and endorphins (happy hormones)

#2 Sleeping and/or taking naps

Because “rest is a form of resistance” (The Nap Ministry)

#3 Organising/decluttering

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#4 Staying off of social media

and doing the following instead:

#5 Only visiting positive, inspirational and/or funny profiles when I am on social media

These have been my comic relief and might help you too:

  • Kevonstage (IG and YouTube)

  • That Chick Angel (I mostly watch her on YouTube)

  • Not Karlon Banks (IG)

  • Call me Choko (IG)

  • Maraji (IG and YouTube)

  • Beverly Adaeze (IG)

#6 Not engaging when I accidentally see a post/comment that I disagree with or triggers me

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#7 Reading

I’m currently reading “The Millionaire Next Door” (by Thomas J. Stanley) and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” (by Stephen R. Covey)

#8 Watching movies/binge-watching series

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#dontjudgeme

#9 Listening to podcasts

I listen to quite a few but love:

  • Here’s The Thing (Kevonstage and That Chick Angel)

  • J.ill (Jill Scott’s Podcast)

  • Jesus and Jollof (Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi)

#10 Listening to music

Soca, afrobeats, old skool dancehall and 90s RnB have been doing it for me this week

#11 Dancing around my living room/kitchen

Same results as #1

#12 Laughing

By:

  • Doing #5, #8, #9 and #11

  • Sharing memes as above

  • Chatting to close friends and family

#13 Goal setting and planning the things that are within my control within my business

For a successful new year, in line with last week’s post

#14 Upskilling and learning new skills

I’ve been doing some CPD (continued professional development) via a course on pitching large publications

#15 Quiet/”me” time

Sometimes I just like to lie back and day dream

#16 Meditating

I like the guided meditation on Tracy Timberlake’s Mindset Mixtape

#17 Journaling

Click here for my technique

#18 Affirmations

Check out point 3 of this post for more details

#19 Eating my favourite foods/snacks

Cherry scones, chocolate and ice cream- oh my!

#20 Showers

I’m not really a bath girl *shrugs*

What about you, sis? What brings you joy?

When “the cares of this world” get to you, the psalmist said shake it off

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How do you do that?

Feel free to borrow from my list if nothing comes to you immediately