Finding More Joy in Our Always-On World

This Sara Erenthal character is an accurate depiction of me this week as I put the final touches on our Uplifters Live event, finalize a big deliverable for my consulting gig, parent teens through messy girl drama and social activities, and try to clear the decks for a stress-free (TBD) vacation this week.

We're being pulled in so many directions. Go here, do this, strive higher. Another email, another blaring notification, another person who wants or needs our undivided attention.

But at what cost? The research is clear that chronic stress and overwhelm take a massive toll on our wellbeing and performance. When we're operating in a constant state of frazzle, our health suffers, our relationships fizzle, our ability to think creatively and be fully present fragments.

Something's got to give, friends. After all, no one lies on their deathbed wishing they'd answered more emails, right?

The good news? We have more power than we may think to reset, refocus, and sink into a little more joy. Small, intentional changes can quite literally rewire our brains for more positivity over time.

So where to start? Here are a few science-backed suggestions:

Redefine What "Success" Means to You

How are you currently defining "success" for yourself? Is it all about relentless hustle and productivity? If so, is that definition serving you well or is it a fast-track to burnout? Get radically honest with yourself and consider a more holistic view that protects your wellbeing. Success could be defined as having enriching relationships, exploring hobbies that light you up, and achieving a sustainable work/life balance. Guarding firmer boundaries (like no emails after 8 pm) protects your ability to bring your best self each day.

Build Your Joy Toolkit

There are simple, evidence-based practices you can sprinkle into your daily routine to elevate your sense of wellbeing. For example, taking moments for gratitude, performing small acts of kindness, or doing a brief mindfulness exercise. These micro-practices help counteract our brain's negativity bias and rewire us for more joy over time. Lately, adding music to mundane routine tasks like laundry and dishes has changed my entire perception of them.

Strengthen Your Connections

We need each other, especially in high-stress times. Prioritizing authentic social ties and mutual support with your colleagues, friends, and neighbors can become a powerful buffer against overwhelm. Getting to know the people you interact with regularly - beyond just what you do for one another - that's where the magic happens. Inside jokes, shared experiences, and being able to truly empathize and uplift one another.

Rest and recovery are not selfish - in fact, it's one of the most beneficial things we can do for ourselves, our clients and partners, and our loved ones. When we're operating from a calmer, more positive place, we show up as our most creative, collaborative, and resilient selves.

Mindful Monday Journal Prompt

What's one joy-building action you could take this week? Share it with a co-worker, family member, or friend to help you follow through on it.

Thanks for being here. I’m so grateful that we are laying down the plates together.

It looks like I’m spinning plates here, but it’s really capturing my delight at discovering that our event plates perfectly match our Uplifters logs mugs!

Rising Higher, Together

This May 17, we will host our first-ever LIVE Uplifters gathering. We still have a few tickets left, so I hope you’ll join me and our guests from the first year of The Uplifters Podcast for a day of collaboration and creative growth in NYC on May 17.

Check out the agenda and get info on tickets HERE. 

Your Next Uplifter

Our next episode is headed your way this Thursday. Get ready to meet ADHD Coach Rahti Gorfien and hear how she managed to achieve the rare distinction of being kicked out of a cult!

Paid Subscriber Bonuses You’ll Find in Today’s Newsletter

✨ You can listen to every episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or wherever you get your podcasts. For those of you who are more visual or who want to take a deeper dive with our guests, you’ll find the extended-cut video of my conversation with Janelle Hill from last week’s episode.

✨ Our May Workshop will be at Uplifters Live! I’m so excited to meet so many of you in person. If you’re one of our paid subscribers but haven’t gotten your ticket yet, just respond to this email for a special discount code.