Joyful people have these 9 things in common.
Have you ever wondered why some people appear joyful no matter what life throws at them? Whereas others only find negativity when they are surrounded by beauty and abundance?
Take, for example, someone who is struggling with economic hardship, but finds happiness every day in simple pleasures like sipping a hot coffee or having a relaxing bath after a long day at work. Versus someone who has the luxury of wealth going on an amazing 5-star holiday but spends the entire time miserably nit-picking about the food, service…and company.
Those of us who fall into the latter category tend to think joy comes from the outside. We spend our lives waiting for it to happen to us and bemoan it when it doesn’t. But the reality is, joy doesn’t happen to you, it happens because of you, and if you want more of it in your life, these 9 habits of highly joyful individuals are a great place to start.
1. They see the world as a place of abundance, not lack.
Thankfulness breeds joy…and joy breeds thankfulness. It’s the best kind of feedback cycle.
When you are grateful, you see the world as a place of abundant gifts, rather than a place of scarcity. And let’s face it, who doesn’t like receiving an abundance of gifts?
Joyful people find deep appreciation for even the simplest things in life, like someone holding a door open for them, or the comfort of getting into their bed after a long day with the kids.
They know that life can be hard, and they don’t pretend it isn’t, but they don’t wallow in the negativity and or dwell on the ‘what ifs’ because…
2. They notice the little joys that are found in every moment because they’re not lost in the past or future.
Whether they realize it or not, joyful people embrace the power of now. It seems to come instinctively to them. They don’t waste their precious time dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about things that may or may not happen.
They live mindfully, noticing the small details of the present moment that bring joy and connection, like the blossoming flowers they pass on their walk to work, or a smile from a stranger. This mindful living allows them to notice the wonder that surrounds them, rather than focusing on the doom, gloom, and fear-mongering churned out in the media.
They know that the only moment they have any control over is the present one and that the only thing they can truly control is how they react to it. So they choose positive action and when things don’t go as planned…
3. They learn from their mistakes and move on rather than berating themselves from them.
When things go wrong, as they inevitably do, positive people don’t let it derail them. I’m not saying they don’t feel the disappointment, anger, or frustration that comes with making a mistake. Of course they do. But they don’t see it as a failure. They don’t berate themselves or dwell in self-pity.
Instead, they treat themselves with compassion and they see setbacks as an opportunity for growth and personal development. They are resilient. They own their mistakes, learn from them, and try again.
And if there comes a time when nothing more can be done to improve the situation?
They accept it and let go.
4. They look after themselves and keep their life as balanced as possible.
It may seem like joyful people have an inner sense of happiness that can’t be shaken. And perhaps it’s true that some people are naturally sunnier than others. But no one can stay cheerful if they are running on empty.
Joyful people keep a balance in their work, play, and home life, and they know sometimes that means taking time away from their responsibilities to recharge their batteries. They aren’t afraid to prioritize themselves and say ‘no’ when they’ve reached their limit and they make a habit of indulging in relaxing activities that work for them. This self-care keeps their joy tank full, and as a result, they have enough to share with others too.
5. They look after others because they’ve got plenty of joy to share.
Truly joyful people want to spread their joy. And they do this by sharing it with others through caring and giving.
They don’t just limit it to family and friends either. People with an abundance of joy are generous with it and will gladly help a stranger in need. They care about their local community (and beyond), and they make a difference, even if it’s with one small act of kindness at a time.
They aren’t doing it for praise or acknowledgment, they simply have joy in their hearts and want to share it far and wide. And like gratitude, helping those in need is a self-fulfilling act. Their reward for helping others is the joy they feel for having made a positive difference.
6. They seek meaningful relationships that bring out the best in them (and others).
For most people, few things bring more joy than their relationships. Humans are inherently social creatures. We want to share our lives with others, whether that’s friends, family, or a romantic partner.
But some of us get embroiled in relationships that don’t always bring out the best in us.
Not highly joyful individuals though. They aren’t in the habit of engaging in relationships that are fake, surface-level, or negative. They seek honest, meaningful connections. They don’t waste time on time wasters.
And the result? Positive, inspiring relationships that provide even more (yes, you’ve guessed it) joy!
7. They know who they are and what they value, and they live accordingly.
Highly joyful individuals tend to know and respect themselves. They have worked out what they want from life. They hold their values and morals dear, and they live in alignment with them.
They listen respectfully to others, but they maintain a sense of perspective about what is important and don’t waste time being drawn into petty dramas that don’t ring true to who they are. They are kind and considerate, but they aren’t in the habit of people-pleasing at the expense of their own well-being.
Living their truth in this way means they aren’t tormented by inner conflict. They feel at peace knowing they are on the right path, which only serves to increase the happiness they feel.
8. They laugh at themselves.
With all this talk of gratitude, a growth mindset, and living in alignment with your beliefs, being a highly joyful individual could seem like a lot of hard work, devoid of any, well…actual fun.
But you can’t have joy without fun and laughter. Yes, living joyfully is a serious pursuit that requires effort, but truly joyful people don’t take themselves seriously.
They love to laugh, and they will happily laugh at themselves.
When they make a fool of themselves, they don’t hide away in shame. Instead, they laugh it off, let others laugh with them, and ask themselves, “Will this matter 5 years from now?” And the answer? Of course it won’t! Depending on the scale of the faux pas it might not even matter 5 hours from now.
Joyful people know that life is fleeting, so they don’t waste time dwelling on the mishaps. They see the funny side of their mistakes and their playful approach helps others to develop this positive habit as well.
9. They understand that to feel joy they have to experience hardship.
People who radiate joy accept life’s twists and turns as part of the beauty of life. They know that to appreciate the good times, they must experience the hard times. And they know that in both good and bad times, “this too shall pass”. So they enjoy the good times whilst they last, and accept the bad times as part of life’s rich tapestry.
Instead of fearing what’s around the corner, they embrace a sense of wonder about what might happen next. This doesn’t always come naturally, but joyful people are prepared to work at it. When they catch themselves thinking, ‘I hope…’ or ‘I wish…’ they reframe their thinking to, ‘I wonder…’ and they trust that whatever the outcome, they will handle it.
Finally…
It’s easy to think that being a positive, joy-filled individual is a personality trait that you either have…or don’t.
But although some of us may find it easier than others, we all have the potential to live joyfully.
Everyone experiences hardships in life, and joyful people are no exception. They aren’t immune to the challenges and heartbreaks that life can bring, and they don’t deny the negative feelings they experience.
But rather than letting the dark days destroy their spirit, they utilize these 9 habits to tap into the joy that is always available, if you are willing to accept it.
