inspiring joy filled living
Joy First
January 21, 2026
What if this year you didn’t put happiness last?
What if, instead of pushing through your days and promising yourself joy later, you chose joy first?
That question has been reshaping the way I think — and it started unexpectedly.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Last week my hubby got tickets for us to hear Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and happiness expert, and honestly she turned everything the practical part of my brain thought it knew completely on its head!
For an hour, she shared happiness facts and studies — research showing that greater happiness actually leads to greater productivity, not the other way around.
While my logical brain was trying to catch up, my heart was nodding along.
I found myself becoming a believer.
But the real shift didn’t happen until a few days later, in the most ordinary moment.
My sweet husband said:
“I know I am most productive and get the most done when I feel happy.”
And suddenly, it clicked.
Ironically the way I was planning to start off 2026 was radically changed. Instead of the big goals front and center, the new goal is joy first and trusting that more happiness equals better outcomes.
The Belief I’ve Been Carrying for Years
For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed I had to power through the hard stuff first — and that joy was my reward on the other side.
Finish the work.
Push through the stress.
Fight through whatever muck is in front of me.
Only then am I allowed to feel peace.
Only then can I feel relief.
And happiness? That comes last — if there’s time.
But what if that belief has been backwards all along?
Joy First Changes the Way We Live
What happiness research — and real life! — keep showing us is this:
Joy isn’t a reward.
It’s a starting point.
When we feel happier, we think more clearly.
We show up better.
We have more energy, creativity, and resilience.
And here’s the beautiful part, the more we give away, the more we get back in return. The more kindness, more smiles, more hugs, more compliments we give the more our own hearts are filled.
That’s where intentional living comes in.
Living intentionally doesn’t mean ignoring responsibility.
It means choosing to build joy into your life — not saving it for later.
Joy first looks like:
- Designing days with something you look forward to
- Letting happiness be practical, not earned
- Choosing presence instead of pushing non-stop
- Allowing joy to fuel your life, not follow it
I’m Already Seeing the Shift
Starting this new year with this mantra — joy first — I’m already noticing a change in my own thoughts.
I’m catching myself when I believe joy has to wait until all the work is done.
I’m choosing moments of happiness now, not someday. Maybe the biggest one, I’m rephrasing my “have to” with “get to” and seeing the blessings that are staring me in the face.
And the surprising part?
I don’t feel less productive.
I feel more engaged.
More focused.
More present in my own life. And a bit more grateful overall.
Let This Be Your Invitation
Instead of asking:
What do I need to push through this year?
Try asking:
What brings me joy — and how can I make space for it?
That’s intentional living.
That’s living on purpose.
That’s building a life that actually feels good to live.
As we step into 2026, this is my invitation to you:
Don’t postpone joy.
Don’t treat happiness like a finish line.
Let it lead.
Joy first.
We got this. 🌹
With Love, Jen
