A Moment of Joy
A Moment of Joy
An Invitation to Reclaim Ourselves
Dear beautiful, exhausted folks,
Last week, I found myself frozen in the doorway of my living room, transfixed by a scene that simultaneously warmed my heart and made it ache.
My daughter was sprawled on the rug, our puppy slathering her face with licks, both of them lost in a moment of pure, unbridled joy. As she yelled, “tickle tickle tickle,” the sound of her belly laugh filled our home and I felt tears prick my eyes.
Do you know why? Because in that instant, I realized: I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed like that.
When did I stop allowing myself to be so free, so present, so... me?
The truth is, I’m tired. Bone-deep, soul-weary tired.
My days are an endless stream of tasks, each one clamoring for attention:
“Mama, what is a good example of a prepositional phrase?”
“Ollie isn't eating his food again…can I give him some of my roast beef?”
“The trees need to be trimmed. Can you find a licensed arborist?”
“Don't forget to schedule everyone’s flu shots!”
“Did you take your probiotic today?”
And on, and on, and on...and this is just home stuff!
Sometimes, I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of responsibilities, barely keeping my head above water. I bet you know the feeling, don’t you?
I remember a time, not so long ago, when I would spend hours lost in a book, the rustling of pages turning the only sound in my sunlit room. The world would fall away, and it was just me and a sea of words.
When was the last time I allowed myself that luxury?
Or the time I spontaneously joined a Zumba class in the park, awkwardly putting one foot in front of the other, completely out of sync with strangers who became laughing buddies for an afternoon.
Now, I can’t remember the last time I did something just because it sounded fun.
But here’s the thing: watching my daughter in that moment of pure bliss, I realized something. That joy, that freedom, that ability to be fully present – it’s still inside me.
It’s inside all of us.
We’ve just buried it under layers of “shoulds” and “musts” and “have-tos.”
So today, I’m writing this as much for myself as for you.
This is our permission slip to reclaim ourselves:
1. You are more than your to-do list.More than a mom, a spouse, a daughter, or any other role you play. You are a whole, complex, beautiful human being. Take an hour, a day, a weekend if you can, to just be you. What would that look like? For me, it might mean losing myself in a book without feeling guilty, or taking a long walk without my phone (or headphones!). What would it mean for you?
2. Remember when you said “yes” to joy without hesitation? When was the last time you did something simply because it made you happy? Let’s bring that back. Eat dessert first! Dance in the rain. Wear that outfit that makes you feel amazing, even if it’s “impractical.” Especially if you’ve been saving it for something special. Hey — YOU are that something special!
3. Rediscover your passions and curiosities. What did you love doing before life got so busy? What have you always wanted to try but never found the time for? Your interests and passions are a core part of who you are. Reignite that spark — take a class, pick up that old hobby, or explore something entirely new. Nurturing your passions isn’t selfish; it’s an essential part of being your whole self.
I know it’s not easy. Believe me, I know.
As I write this, there’s a pile of dirty dishes in the sink giving me the evil eye, and I can hear my inbox pinging with new emails. But I am choosing, in this moment, to prioritize connection — with myself, and with you.
Yesterday, I did something radical. Well, not really … but it felt radical.
I turned off my phone for two hours and napped! A solid two hours, just me on the couch with my pup’s wet nose against my armpit. We slept and snored together.
It was beautiful.
For those 120 minutes, I wasn’t anybody’s anything — I was just me enjoying an afternoon snooze with my fur baby. And you know what? The world didn’t end. My family survived, we ordered in dinner and I felt more like myself than I had in months.
So here’s what I have come to believe: when we reclaim these parts of ourselves, when we give ourselves permission to be fully human, we don’t just change our own lives. We change the world around us.
We show our children, our friends, our communities what it looks like to live with authenticity and joy. What it looks like to reclaim some time for our own selves.
So, my dear friend, what small act of reclamation can you commit to today? Can you steal five minutes to dance in your kitchen? Can you say “no” to one obligation that doesn’t serve you? Can you do something selfishly for yourself that matters to you?
This week, I want you to schedule a “joy appointment” with yourself. It doesn’t have to be long … even 15 minutes will do. But during that time, do something that lights you up inside. Paint, sing, write, dance, bake, garden, nap— whatever calls to your soul.
Whatever it is, know that I’m cheering you on. We’re in this together, rediscovering our laughter, our voices, our lost inner child.
I’d love to hear about your moments of reclamation, big or small. Share in the comments, or if it feels too vulnerable, send me a private message. Let’s remind each other of the joy that’s possible, even in the midst of our beautiful, messy and uber-busy lives.
And, remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Small steps lead to big changes.
Today, maybe it’s just taking a deep breath and remembering that you are more than your responsibilities. Tomorrow, who knows?
You might just find yourself laughing with abandon, rediscovering the you that’s been there all along.
With love, solidarity, and a renewed commitment to belly laughs,
Mansi.