Midyear Pause: Let’s Talk About Joy
Hello friends! 😎
Here we are—just past the halfway mark of the year and right in the heart of summer. It’s a natural time to pause—not for pressure or performance—but for curious reflection.
Honestly? I feel like I’m always reflecting. And yet… I don’t always follow through on the changes I know would serve me. Maybe you can relate.
I’ve started calling it my “summer mindset.” It’s a softer, more spacious way of thinking—one that invites presence, possibility, and the permission to loosen the grip on rigid expectations. It’s not just about sunshine and vacations. It’s a seasonal shift in energy that can support healing, resetting, and reconnecting.
After last month’s newsletter, many of you shared that you're using this summer as a reset. I love that. Me too. There’s something powerful about the middle—not quite a beginning, not yet an end—that invites us to take a breath, regroup, and realign.
🌞 This Month’s Theme in Office Hours: Reclaiming Joy
For me, this summer has been about living lighter—letting go of the “shoulds,” outdated roles, routines, and regrets. In that letting go, I’ve found room for delight and spontaneous moments.
Sometimes joy arrives not when we strive, but when we simply allow ourselves to be.
Last week, I was caring for my granddaughters. At one point, my two-year-old called out gleefully: “Come on, Nana!” Her voice, her joy—it was pure, unfiltered presence.
And it reminded me: Joy doesn’t always have to be earned or planned. It just needs to be noticed.
💫 When Was the Last Time You Felt True Joy?
Not just contentment or satisfaction—but joy?
That heart-lifting, soul-stirring feeling that doesn’t always make sense… but feels like coming home to yourself?
What is Joy, really?
Joy is often described as deeper and more enduring than happiness. It can co-exist with sorrow, and it doesn’t always depend on your circumstances.
Joy may come from meaning, connection, purpose, or gratitude—even during difficult times. Some describe it as a state of the soul, a quiet contentment that arises when we are fully present, spiritually grounded, or aligned with something greater.
Happiness, by contrast, tends to be more situational—linked to external events or outcomes:
A compliment. A good meal. A night out.
Joy runs deeper. It lasts longer. And it often emerges from within.
🔁 The 3 R’s of Reclaiming Joy:
Recognize | Reimagine | Reclaim
🌀 Recognize: Where Joy Has Gone Missing
Many people lose touch with joy in midlife and beyond due to:
- Constant caregiving
- Identity shifts (empty nest, retirement, loss)
- Cultural messages that say: “It’s time to slow down” → often heard as “don’t ask for more”
💭 Reflective question:
What have I been taught to downplay or dismiss as frivolous?
🔄 Reimagine: What Joy Could Look Like Now
Joy isn’t just about fun. It can be:
- Peace
- Creativity
- Movement
- Connection
Joy types to explore:
- Quiet joy: reading, walking, being in nature
- Expressive joy: art, dancing, laughter
- Shared joy: friendship, play, acts of service
💭 Reflective question:
What did joy look like for you at 25? What might it look like now, if you gave yourself full permission?
🔧 Reclaim: Practice and Permission
Reclaiming joy means making space for it—protecting it, prioritizing it, and practicing it regularly.
Ways to cultivate joy:
Gratitude. Mindful presence. Meaningful relationships. Acts of kindness. Living in alignment with values. Awe and wonder. Creative expression. Savoring. Rituals of delight. Telling your story. Setting boundaries that honor your energy.
✍️ Free Resource: Reclaiming Joy Reflection Worksheet
To support your journey, I’ve created a Reclaiming Joy Reflection Worksheet you can download here. It's a gentle, guided space to explore what joy means to you in this season of life with ways to cultivate more joy (Beyond the Basics).
📚 A Few Joy-Inspired Resources
You know how the universe seems to echo what you're focusing on? That’s how it’s been for me with joy. Out of nowhere, books, podcasts, and articles started popping up in my feed. Here are a few I’ve loved lately:
THIS & THAT
Coffee or Tea?
Lately, I’ve been curious about the benefits of coffee vs. tea. I tend to drink more iced tea and coffee in the summer and switch to hot tea in the winter. In my quest to be more health-conscious, I came across this article that breaks down the benefits and differences between the two popular sources of caffeine.
The way I see it? I win either way—as long as I aim for moderation and include some herbal blends in the mix.
Rethinking Aging
If you attended my workshop on building your legacy last September, you might remember an exercise we did exploring our mindset about aging. It was such a fun and eye-opening moment—many of you said it was a standout part of the day.
This recent article from The Sunday Paper with Mark Nepo beautifully builds on that conversation. He explores what it truly means to grow older—challenging assumptions, tapping into creativity, and uncovering new strengths and skills.
Follow up from Last Newsletter
Well… much to my dismay (but with total understanding), I didn’t get a huge response to last month’s “This or That” and summer song favorites.
Still, I heard from a few of you: ice cream cones and iced coffee came out ahead, all forms of water are welcome, and when it comes to reading, memoirs and romance are equally loved. And whether the sun is rising or setting—you’re here for it!
Quick Question for You 🤔
I’m considering changing the time of Office Hours to 4:00 pm (Pacific) starting in September to encourage more folks to join.
Would that work for you?
Hit the Reply button with a quick “Yes” or “No,” or feel free to suggest a better time.
☀️ August Office Hours Theme: “What Do You Want?” (Unpacking internalized expectations and reconnecting to personal desires.)
📅 Tuesday, August 5th
🕘 9:00 am PST
This is a free, monthly Zoom gathering just for email subscribers—a gentle check-in, a shared reflection, and space to explore how we live, think, and grow in the second half of life.
I’d love to have you join us! Here’s the link!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you’re soaking in the heart of summer—listening to your favorite seasonal tunes, enjoying a scoop (or two) of ice cream, getting lost in a good book, and saying yes to simple adventures in nature.
This month, I’ve been exploring joy—how to find it, make space for it, and protect it. Staying present has helped. Here’s a quote I’ve returned to often:
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
— Marcus Aurelius
Wishing you lightness, laughter, and the kind of joy that shows up when you’re really paying attention.
And, thanks so much for reading and following along!
With warmth and joy,
Judy
PS: Got a favorite summer ritual, recipe, or joy moment? I’d love to hear it—just hit reply.
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