On Joy: Making Space for What Lifts Us

Last week, I spent the evening playing pétanque with a few colleagues.

Nothing fancy — just a few of us, a warm evening, a casual game, some food, drinks, and easy laughter.

And for some reason, it’s stayed with me.
A whole week later, I’m still thinking about it.

There was something quietly joyful about it - the lightness, the togetherness, the chance to just be — that reminded me how important these small moments are.
The small exchanges, the celebrations, that sense of connection you don’t always realise you’ve missed until it quietly shows up and fills something in you.

It reminded me that joy doesn’t need to be planned or earned - sometimes it arrives in the most ordinary of moments, when we’re not rushing, or proving, or holding it all together.

It got me wondering why that small moment meant so much -  and what joy actually does for us. And I think it’s this: joy reminds us of who we are, beneath all the doing. It restores something quietly essential.

In the busyness of working life -  the endless demands, the shifting priorities, the weight of what we carry - joy can so easily slip down the list. It’s not urgent. It doesn’t make demands. So we leave it for later.

But joy matters. It nourishes something deeper and helps us reconnect with who we are, outside of all the roles and responsibilities.It restores a part of us that gets worn thin. It softens the edges and reminds us we’re human -  not just professionals, performers, or people who get things done.

Whether it’s laughter over a shared meal, a quiet walk that clears your head, listening to your favourite music, or simply having an evening that feels a little more spacious — those small pockets of joy have a way of anchoring us.

So, here’s a gentle invitation:
💭 What brings you joy?
💭 And how might you make just a little more room for it?

I offer a free 30-minute coaching call. No pressure. Just space — to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what lifts you.