Building From Joy
I have been reflecting on what I wish to create in this new chapter of my life, and looking back on what has brought me the most fulfillment.
When I turned 30 in September, I was the happiest I have been in my entire life. Joy was pouring through my veins, eyes, and voice.
Yet, over the last 6 months, for a diversity of reasons, I have lost touch with this inner light.
Reflecting back, I see that certain environments and ways of thinking can act as small deaths for the soul. This may not appear at first sight, but over time, we lose touch with what was driving us in the first place.
If you look back on your life, there have certainly been moments that touched your heart deeply. Such experiences are precious, for they can guide your future as well.
We all have different moments that light us up. Our responsibility, if there is one, is to first identify what these sources of joy are. And secondly, to protect them at all costs.
I am realizing more and more that our current world does not serve the soul. Most of what is built and that we are advised to follow, comes from obligations and a fixed view of how life works.
We are advised to take corporate roads to be “stable” even if we feel miserable 40h a week, and don’t feel we are making a contribution to the world.
We are told that joy, love, and passion are lofty ideals, but that they need to be seen realistically.
We are very rarely encouraged to share our truth and cultivate our gifts — trusting that these will bring us to our deepest purpose.
I observe how I think about business and work. Every time I see these from the lens of necessity and survival, my heart shuts down.
Now, I believe there is a healthy balance between inspiration and structure. We cannot only do what we like. Yet, I also see the crucial absence of joy in most people’s lives, outside of a few elusive moments.
Why are we never encouraged to create from joy?
Last summer, I was living in a co-living in Stockholm called Allihoop. I spent the vast majority of my time creating events that helped people connect with themselves and each other. I felt filled with joy, purpose, and faith.
Truly, it was like living on light.
The moment that I started to replace this with mental beliefs of what I need to do to be “successful,” the less I felt driven and alive.
As I circle back on 6 years of entrepreneurship, I realize that the only moments I was consistent and energized about my work was when I felt joy in the process.
No matter how much I got paid, such experiences left an indelible mark on my heart. The relationships that grew out of these were rich, fruitful, and heart-centered.
I believe that creating out of joy and service is the only way to build a life that satisfies the soul — our essence.
When we look back on our lives, what will we remember? What will have shaped the trajectory of our lives?
Will it be the times we said yes, when our inner voice said no?
Or will it be the pursuits that filled us with joy, and drew us deeper into the unknown?
What does it take to be truly alive?
This is a question I leave for you to contemplate.
As the world moves closer and closer to technology, AI, automation… What will you choose to build your life upon?
Practices for this week:
Look for moments that bring delight to your everyday life. Consciously cultivate what brings you joy and feeds your soul.
Envision your ideal life — if you weren’t afraid and anything was possible, what life would you want to live and create?
Allow time for deep rest. Create spaces and pauses free from expectations and outcomes, where you can truly relax. An example would be watching a sunrise or a sunset, and taking time to enjoy every bit of it.
