Let’s be real—sometimes life feels… dull.

Not in a dramatic, movie-worthy way. But in that slow, everyday hum of adulthood. The laundry piles up, the fridge needs restocking, the dog tracked in mud (again), and someone always needs something from you. Throw in homeownership responsibilities, bills, and parenting moments that stretch your patience, and it’s easy to wonder: Where did the joy go?

And then there’s the contrast—our phones.
With every swipe, scroll, like, or notification, we’re given a little dopamine boost. Someone else’s perfect vacation. Someone else’s clean house. Someone else’s highlight reel. It’s no wonder that the ordinary rhythms of real life can feel a little… underwhelming.

I’ll admit it—connecting with my kids over something I genuinely don’t care about (hello, Minecraft or long-winded YouTube recaps) can feel like a chore. But I try to remind myself: this is the stuff that matters. These are the threads that make up the fabric of our connection. And joy? It’s tucked inside those threads. Sometimes I just have to slow down enough to feel it.

So how do I find joy when everything feels like a routine?

I practice being present. Not perfect—just present. I put down my phone. I silence the noise. I give the person in front of me my full attention—whether it’s a client, a friend, or one of my kids asking for the 18th snack of the day.

I also make it a point to:

• ✍️ Write down 10 things I’m grateful for every day

• 💆🏻‍♀️ Prioritize self-care—even in small, simple ways

• 🤝 Build meaningful, offline connections

• 🌿 Embrace mindfulness in the everyday tasks

It’s not glamorous. But it’s grounding.

And on the days where joy feels a little out of reach, I remind myself that maybe joy isn’t a big, loud emotion—it’s often quiet. It's found in the pause, the presence, the moment that almost slipped by unnoticed.

So today, I invite you to look for joy in the ordinary.
Because it’s there. And it’s worth noticing.