How to Live in Joy

Summary

Trista Signe Ainsworth discusses the importance of disconnecting from media to reconnect with joy and nature, emphasizing the role of presence and simplicity in maintaining a joyful life.

Abstract

In a 30-day series on joy, Trista Signe Ainsworth reflects on the impact of a media detox on her emotional well-being. After advice from a friend, she takes a four-day break from media, which allows her to rediscover joy through simple pleasures like sunbathing in her garden and appreciating nature. Ainsworth, an empath who deeply feels the pain of others, finds that removing herself from the constant influx of media helps her return to a state of joy and service to humanity. She advocates for the necessity of being present, noticing the beauty around us, and holding onto the vibration of love to maintain joy in our lives. As a professional organizer, she extends this philosophy to her work, helping women clear clutter and embrace minimalism to live joyfully.

Opinions

The author believes that constant exposure to media can detract from personal joy and emotional health, especially for empaths.
She emphasizes that true service to humanity begins with personal joy and the ability to be present in the moment.
Ainsworth suggests that reconnecting with nature and appreciating its beauty is a pathway to experiencing joy.
She posits that taking time off from media allows for a deeper connection with oneself and the earth.
The author holds that maintaining a frequency of joy is crucial and can be achieved through simple acts like noticing the sunlight or flower petals.
Ainsworth implies that her professional work in organizing and minimalism is an extension of her personal journey towards joyful living.

How to Live in Joy

Day 24: How turning off the media for a few days is bringing back the joy

Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash

Today I am coming back to joy. I am coming back to my 30 day series in joy. I have 6 more pieces on joy to write. And then I will write more about joy. This is my true heart. This is where I can be of help. When my heart is broken in a million pieces I cannot be of service to the world. It starts with joy in my heart.

Yesterday I spoke with my dear friend. She said to take four days off of media. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

As an empath, I deeply feel everyone’s pain in my own body. I feel it when I hear about horrific violence, I feel it when I open up social media, I feel it if I hear about a friend hurting. I feel all of the pain as though it were my own or a person close to me. It feels very real to me.

Photo by Silvestri Matteo on Unsplash

After I spoke to my friend yesterday I went into my garden. I took off my shoes and took a nap in the sunshine. I felt nature’s joy envelop me. I felt the sunshine on my skin. I felt the joy returning to my heart. I felt my true nature come back to me.

Sometimes in order to be of true service to humanity, we have to stop. We have to drop into the present moment. We have to look closely at the blades of grass. Notice the flower petals. Notice the sunlight streaming down. Notice the vibrant green hues of the leaves. Notice you are alive. Your heart is beating. You can help just by holding this frequency of joy in the universe.

How to Live in Joy

Yesterday I spoke with my dear friend. She said to take four days off of media. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

After I spoke to my friend yesterday I went into my garden. I took off my shoes and took a nap in the sunshine. I felt nature’s joy envelop me. I felt the sunshine on my skin. I felt the joy returning to my heart. I felt my true nature come back to me.

For these four days my only job is to be in joy. My job is to be in the present moment. My job is to pray. My job is to feel the sunshine. My job is to notice the beauty. My job is to hold on to the vibration of love. My job is to call for healing. My job is to connect with the earth.

How to Live in Joy

Day 20: How a treat of local strawberries brought back precious memories

How to Live in Joy

Day 11: How picking up sticks every day can change your perspective

How to Live in Joy

Day 2: Chatting with my son late at night.