WAVES OF EXPRESSION

It’s easy to forget enjoyment when the season turns hectic. But joy thrives in simplicity—not in the big productions, but in the overlooked moments: warm drinks, shared laughter, creative play, or a quiet walk under winter skies.

Finding Center: Choose One Small Joy Daily

Instead of trying to “feel festive,” look for one joyful moment each day. Small joys build resilience, soften stress, and reconnect you to what’s good.

Self-Care Practice: The One-Joy Walk

Benefits

• Resets the mind from overstimulation
• Boosts serotonin through movement
• Encourages mindfulness and emotional presence
• Helps reconnect joy to the body, not just the mind

Instructions

1. Step outside for a short walk—even 10 minutes.
2. As you begin, set an intention: Today I’m looking for one thing that sparks joy.
3. Walk at a gentle pace, noticing color, texture, light, and sound.
4. When you feel a moment of joy—something beautiful or meaningful—pause.
5. Breathe deeply and let it settle in.
6. At home, write down the one moment you noticed.

A joy practiced is a joy remembered—and joy remembered becomes joy multiplied.

Giving Back: Watercolor “Joy Tags” for the Community

Instructions

1. Cut watercolor paper into small tag-sized rectangles.
2. Paint cheerful splashes of color—yellows, pinks, teals, reds.
3. Write a tiny joyful message such as:
   • “A little joy for you.”
   • “You brighten the world.”
   • “Joy finds you today.”
4. Punch a hole at the top and tie with string.
5. Attach these tags to donated items—food pantry bags, mitten tree gifts, or care packages for neighbors.

These little art pieces quietly extend joy where it’s needed most.