30 Small Things To Do To Find Joy in 30 Days

Life can often get too overwhelming and difficult at times that we end up believing that we will never feel joy again. It’s easy to think that our lives will only ever go from bad to worse, especially when we are constantly being hit with one struggle after another.

This is exactly what happened to me. This year has been challenging for me. I faced so many difficulties that tested every ounce of strength in me. Problems that made me feel so hopeless, defeated, and alone.

I was constantly hit with one disappointment after another, and I even reached a point where I started believing that maybe I was doomed for the rest of my life. But I realized that I was certainly wrong to believe that. If you’re currently feeling this way or going through a difficult period in your life, please know that, regardless of what we are going through, it is still possible to find joy and be happy again.

I’ve learned life doesn’t always have to be perfect for us to find joy and be happy. Often, the best thing that we can d,o especially when we are going through a difficult period, is to allow ourselves to find joy and peace even in the smallest and most mundane moments of our lives.

Choosing to find joy in those things doesn’t mean that we are ignoring our problems or that we are pretending that everything is fine, it simply means that we are choosing to hold on to even the smallest glimmer of joy to help fuel our motivation and strength to keep going.

In this blog post, I have created a 30-day challenge that will help you find joy in life again. Every day, you will go through one small action that will help shift your perspective and help you reconnect with the things that truly matter to you.

Don’t worry, these tasks are certainly not overwhelming and will not take up so much of your time. These are simple and small and yet these actions can have a huge impact on our overall well-being and happiness.

Ready to start finding joy again? Let’s go!

Day 1: Morning Gratitude

We often forget the power of gratitude. Practicing daily gratitude not only helps remind us of the good things that are still happening in our lives, but it also gives us hope on days when everything feels too much.

Today, before you start your day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the things in our lives that we are grateful for. Write down at least five things that you are grateful for. Know that it doesn’t have to be big, remind yourself that often the smallest things can make the biggest difference.

Day 2: Enjoy The Sunrise

Take this opportunity to wake up early and just enjoy the peace that comes when you’re watching the sun rise. During this moment, try to really focus all your attention on the sunrise and all the small details around you. Let yourself be fully present and just breathe.

Day 3: Breathe Deeply For 5 Minutes

Practicing deep breathing has been life-changing for me, especially during moments when everything feels too overwhelming and my mind is continuously racing. Today, give yourself at least 5 minutes to just breathe. Inhale through your nose and exhale gently through your mouth.

Focus your attention on your breathing, if you feel like your mind starts to wander, gently pull your attention back to your breath.

Day 4: Screen-Free Morning

Are you also guilty of checking your phone the moment you wake up? Today, let’s spend our morning free from screens. Instead of spending your time scrolling through your phone or checking all those endless notifications, use this time to connect with yourself and the people around you.

If it’s not possible to spend your entire morning without screens, even taking just 30 minutes off from it can really help set the tone for a more peaceful day.

Day 5: Have A Mindful Breakfast

Today, instead of just rushing through your breakfast or eating it while distracted, take the time to truly enjoy this moment. Put your phone away, turn off your TV, and just take a moment to truly be present with your meal.

Know that by doing this, you are allowing your mind a chance to rest and just appreciate the simple act of eating.

Day 6: Meditate For 15 Minutes

Meditation has truly been a game-changer for me. To be honest with you, for years, I never truly believed in it. I always assumed that doing this meant that I had to turn off my brain, which was completely impossible.

But I was wrong, I’ve learned that meditation is not about pushing your thoughts away or turning your brain off, it’s about allowing your thoughts to come without letting yourself be consumed by them.

Today, spend at least 15 minutes meditating. Find a quiet spot to do this, you can do this sitting on a chair or on the floor. You can try listening to a guided meditation or you can just simply focus on your breath.

Day 7: Take A Mindful Walk

Whenever my mind feels cluttered and everything around me feels too overwhelming, taking a short mindful walk gives me the chance to step away and just reset. As you take a mindful walk today, try to really focus all your attention on your surroundings. Taking a mindful walk doesn’t have to be long.

Even just taking a 10 or 15 minute walk can really help alleviate your stress and help you return to your day with a calmer and more peaceful mind.

Day 8: Treat Yourself

Treat yourself to anything that you like without feeling any guilt. Remember, you deserve this.

Day 9: Give Someone A Genuine Compliment

This small act of kindness not only brightens someone’s day but also feeds our souls and nurtures our own hearts.

Day 10: Call or Text Someone You Love

It’s so easy to be swept away by life’s responsibilities that we forget to check in with the people who matter to us. Today, take a few minutes to call or simply text someone that you love. Check in with them, see how they are doing, and just remind them of how important they are to you.

Day 11: Celebrate Your Wins

We often overlook everything that we have overcome and accomplished because we are too busy rushing to our next goal or we are caught up focusing on all our mistakes. Today, take a moment to celebrate all your wins, big and small. It doesn’t have to be huge or life changing, even the smallest win counts.

Doing this not only reminds you of your strength and capabilities but it also helps fuel our motivation and drive to keep going.

Day 12: Sing and Dance Your Heart Out

Give yourself permission to just sing and dance your heart out. Don’t be ashamed or concerned about your moves or how you sound, remind yourself that you are doing this simply to just enjoy and express yourself.

Day 13: Enjoy The Sunset

Watching the sunset has always been my favorite. There’s something so calming and comforting about watching the day end and the night slowly taking its place. Today, allow yourself to enjoy this moment.

If it’s not possible to step outside and watch the sunset, you can just pause wherever you are, look out the window, and just imagine the colors of the sky changing.

Day 14: Create A Cozy Evening Ritual

Whenever I have a bad day or when life simply feels too heavy, having a cozy evening ritual always helps me feel better. It’s always just the pick-me-up that I need. Today, take a moment to create the perfect cozy evening ritual for you.

Start by reflecting on what activities make you feel calm and safe. It could be as simple as re-watching your favorite sitcoms while eating your favorite dessert. Basically, anything that helps lift your spirits and make you feel better.

Once you’ve identified these activities, make them a routine that you can always return to to help yourself feel at peace and grounded whenever life feels too chaotic.

Day 15: Write Down 5 Things You Love About Yourself

Often, most of us are guilty of being our own worst critics thinking that doing so would somehow push us to be better. I was also guilty of doing this for the longest time and I’ve learned that doing this actually does more harm than good.

Instead of actually helping us improve ourselves, it often just chips away at our confidence and self esteem. I’ve learned that the best way to push ourselves to be better is to be kind to ourselves and to give ourselves a safe space to grow without any judgments or criticisms.

So today, take a moment to write down 5 things you love about yourself. Give yourself the compliment that you deserve.

Day 16: Early Night

We often take sleep for granted. We have to remind ourselves that having a good night’s sleep is not only important for our overall well being but it is also crucial for our mood and happiness. So today, let’s have an early night.

Even just sleeping an hour earlier before your usual bedtime can make a big difference.

Day 17: Read For Fun

Is there a book that you’ve always wanted to read but think is just a waste of time? Today is the day to give yourself permission to just sit down, grab that book, and just simply enjoy reading it. Know that doing something purely for your enjoyment is never a waste of time.

Day 18: Plan Something Fun

We often spend our time rushing to check things off our to-do list, constantly focusing only on our responsibilities and the things that need to be done without making time for the things that bring us joy. Today, take a moment to plan something fun for yourself. It doesn’t have to be big or take so much of your time. It could be as simple as taking yourself out to dinner or to a movie.

The point here is to remind yourself that life is not only about responsibilities, it’s also about making time for the things that bring us joy and happiness.

Day 19: De-Clutter One Space

I know that de cluttering our space can often be too overwhelming. I mean, often just looking at everything that needs to be done can paralyze us so we end up simply not doing it. So today, instead of focusing on everything that needs to be de cluttered, let’s just focus on one single space.

You can start with the smallest space or the simplest task. Doing this not only makes things less overwhelming but it also helps fuel a sense of momentum.

Day 20: Play The Songs You Love (just listen fully)

Put on your favorite songs and just give yourself permission to just really listen to them, without any distractions or any multitasking.

Day 21: Wear Something You Love

Today, wear something you love even if no one will see it. Remind yourself that you don’t need other people’s approval or validation just to feel good about yourself. Know that the only validation that you will ever need is your own.

Day 22: Write Down The Happiest Moment Of Your Week

Today, let’s take some time to reflect on all the moments that made you happy this week. Know that it doesn’t have to be big. Use this as your reminder that no matter how tough life gets, joy can still be found even in the smallest things.

Day 23: Do Something Thoughtful For A Stranger

It’s so easy to get caught up in life and in our own problems that we often forget the power of kindness. There is so much negativity and hate in the world, let’s choose to be the reminder that kindness and compassion still exist. Today, let’s do something thoughtful for a stranger.

It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or cost you a lot of money. Remind yourself that even the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference.

Day 24: Enjoy A Relaxing Activity

We often feel this nagging guilt every time we allow ourselves to relax and do nothing. We tend to think that resting is nothing but a complete waste of time, especially when we have so many things on our to-do list.

But please know that resting and allowing ourselves to relax is never a waste of time. It’s not a luxury, it is a necessity. Today, make time for relaxation without feeling any guilt for doing it.

Day 25: Enjoy Your Morning Drink Without Doing Anything Else

Some of us are guilty of just rushing through our morning. Today, let’s change that. Instead of scrolling through your phone or planning your entire day, give yourself permission to just enjoy your morning drink. Use this time to slow down and just be present.

Day 26: Cozy Night

Have a cozy night in, wear your coziest outfit, grab your favorite snack, and pick any activity that makes your heart happy. Let this evening be about slowing down, recharging your mind and just enjoying your own company.

Day 27: Revisit Happy Memories

Today, let’s take a moment to stroll down memory lane. Let’s revisit those old photos that fill our hearts with so much joy. For every photo that you look at, take a moment to reflect on everything that happened on that day. The people you were with, the feelings you had, and any special little details that made that moment so memorable.

Day 28: Try Something New

I know that often trying something new can be scary but we have to remind ourselves that joy often lives just outside our comfort zone. So today, let’s have the courage to allow ourselves to try something new. Please know that it doesn’t have to be big. We can start small, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Let’s remind ourselves that often little changes can make such a huge impact.

Day 29: Reflect On The Happiest Moment You Had This Month

Our 30-day challenge is almost over. Today, let’s take some time to look back on some of the happiest moments that you have experienced in the last couple of weeks. Reflect on all of the activities that sparked a sense of fulfillment and joy in your life.

Day 30: Keep The Joy Going

You have reached the end of our 30-day challenge. Please take a moment to congratulate yourself for sticking with it. You have come so far and I hope that you enjoyed every bit of the journey. Remember that this is not the end. You can choose any of the activities that you loved from the 30-day challenge and continue doing them for the next month.

Also, today, don’t forget to reward yourself for completing this 30-day challenge. Get your favorite treat, cook your favorite meal, or take yourself out. You deserve it!

Final Thoughts

Remember, the ultimate goal of this 30-day challenge is to invite more joy into your life in a way that is not overwhelming and time consuming. This challenge is a gentle reminder that even the smallest action can make such a huge difference in our happiness.

Be proud of yourself for committing to this challenge and know that every effort that you put into every activity was a step toward a more joy-filled life.