365 Days of Joy – Days 1 - 7

It’s been a week since I started my new year’s challenge of doing one thing a day, for 365 days that gives me joy. The process of being intentional, nurturing and giving to myself is rewarding and I am feeling excited as I step into each day. After feeling deflated at the end of 2024, this is the boost I needed for the new year. It’s also the gentle reminder that as a mum I do forget about my wellbeing and I need to give myself time, to recharge and be the best version of myself.

Week 1

If you aren’t following my progress on Instagram or TikTok, the last week has been spent focusing on a moment of joy each day. While it is important to focus on myself, I can share it with others if that’s what I want. After an intense couple of weeks of solo parenting, I focused my week on a full reset. Here’s what I did.

Day 1 - Made my bed each morning

I started my challenge in the simplest of ways, by making my bed. Starting off each morning with a modest achievement set the mood for the day. Yes, there were still tantrums and meltdowns, but I had done something for me. It felt great going into my bedroom later each day and being able to take a moment of peace and calm amongst the chaos of motherhood.

Day 2 - Added collagen to my morning drink

I am on the collagen train, and I can’t get enough of it. I started researching ways to improve my skin about a month ago and came across the benefits of collagen. While I’m predominantly eating plant based, I feel the benefits of hydrolyzed collagen are too great to ignore!

What I’ve noticed in one month…

·       My skin overall looks smoother.

·       After exercise my joints feel less sore and tired.

·       My sebaceous cyst wound on my shoulder is less pronounced.

Other benefits that collagen provides are:

·       Better sleep.

·       Improved heart health.

·       Treatment of illnesses such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

·       Improved gut health.

Staying consistent is key, so I just put the recommended dose into my morning drink. It’s the first thing I do when I get into the kitchen.

Day 3 - Made nourish bowls

Jumping back into a plant-based diet, I was eating a lot of fake meat alternatives. These highly processed meat free options, while tasty, are not nutrient dense. To ensure I am meeting my vitamin needs, I am making nourish bowls, filled with baked vegetables, nuts, seeds and making my own dressings or using flax seed oil. I have started baking large batches of veggies such as pumpkin and cauliflower and I keep them in the fridge for lunches. 

Day 4 – Ran near water

Blue mind theory is the idea that being near water can improve mental health and wellbeing. Did you know that being near, in or around water can support:

·       Improved mood – Spending time near water is essential to elevated and sustained happiness.

·       Enhanced sleep – The sounds of water can help us fall asleep by reducing brain wave activity.

·       Lowered heart rate – Water can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system for the body’s rest and digest response. This response can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, making you feel more relaxed.

·       Improved creativity – Viewing or being near water can reduce stress levels and boost our mood.

·       Better workouts – People who live near water tend to be more physically active.

·       Higher Vitamin D – Being near water can increase our vitamin D levels

Day 5 - Ate dinner outside

Since having children, I have found that getting outdoors is common ground for my toddler and I. On Saturday evening, we planned to go into our city centre to see a car show and we decided to grab dinner beforehand. Instead of going to a restaurant, we opted for take away and a park bench. With no worries about making a mess, fresh air to breathe and endless space for our Toddler to burn off energy, this was the most perfect spot for us to enjoy family time. This is your sign to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Day 6 – Set up a creative space

This is probably my favourite thing that I have done this week. Setting up my creative space has motivated me to write and start creating content again. After a year of pregnancy and work, I felt so disconnected from my passion projects. I can’t wait to create and conquer my goals in my new space.

Day 7 – Started a weekly achievements jar for 2025

I recently watched an Instagram post where a couple had written weekly achievements and happy moments and saved them in a mason jar to read to each other at the end of the year. I would love this to become something we do each year, as a beautiful and authentic recap – because I know I will forget so many of the wonderful things we do amongst the chaos of raising little ones. I can’t wait to read what we both have written on the 31st of this year.

What I have learnt so far

The sad reality is, we must be intentional if we want to give ourselves time. Particularly as mothers, without the intention of doing something for us, we tend to forget about our own needs. Motherhood makes you feel guilty for wanting more and needing space. We can still love our children endlessly but want independence, growth and self-care.

The other issue is our expectations for joy and happiness are usually set too high. A holiday, a week away, a night from the kids or afternoon off sometimes aren’t achievable. We need to work within our reality and the support surrounding us. Sometimes joy and happiness can be a walk outside, a face mask or reading a page from a book. Starting small can open the pathway to bigger goals in the future.

Looking to the rest of this year, I think this challenge will benefit me most when I am having those off days, feeling disconnected and maybe a little lost. I look forward to seeing how I seek joy in these moments when its hardest to find.

Things that I will do differently next week

Next week I would like to focus on a theme. I entered a run in February which I am going to start training for, and I would like to dedicate next week to joyful things that support my training. I am a little apprehensive about how I will go and if I will be good enough. I am trying to focus my energy on completing the run, rather than my time. Hopefully I can weave some positive self-talk into this week as well.

Comment below if you have been following along or want to join my challenge. I hope this is inspiring you to make 2025 the year you rediscover you, and reconnect with the woman that was, and the one you’re becoming.