Most people treat joy like a finish line. “Once I have the dream job, the perfect partner, the big house—then I’ll feel fulfilled.” But let’s be honest… that never works.
I’ve seen wealthy, successful people who are empty inside. And I’ve met people with almost nothing who wake up genuinely excited for life. The difference? They understand what brings true joy—and it’s probably not what you expect.
So, what brings me joy? What actually fills your life with meaning? In this article, we’ll cut through the noise and break it down—no fluff, no clichés, just the truth about what brings you joy and how to create it for yourself. Let’s dive in.
What Is Joy?
Dictionary.com Defines Joy as a noun as:
The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:
She felt the joy of seeing her son’s success.
Synonyms: rapture
Antonyms: unhappiness, grief, sorrow, misery
a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated:
Her prose style is a pure joy.
the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
a state of happiness or felicity.
Synonyms: bliss
Why Joy Matters
Why does joy matter? Simple. Because without it, life feels like a grind.
You can have all the money, success, and status in the world, but if you’re waking up dreading the day… what’s the point? The people who win long-term aren’t just chasing results—they actually do what brings them pleasure. That’s what keeps them going when things get hard.
Here’s the real reason it’s important:
- Energy = Performance – When you enjoy what you do, you work harder, think clearer, and perform better. Burnout isn’t from working too much—it’s from doing the wrong things.
- Happiness Is a Competitive Edge – People want to be around those who are genuinely fulfilled. It attracts better relationships, opportunities, and success. No one wants to follow someone who’s miserable.
- It Makes the Struggle Worth It – Life isn’t easy. You’ll have challenges no matter what. But when you actually like what you’re doing, those challenges become fuel instead of roadblocks.
At the end of the day, it’s not about chasing happiness—it’s about designing a life that doesn’t make you want to escape from it. Figure out what excites you, build your life around it, and everything else gets easier.
How Do I Know What Brings Me Joy?
You want to know what brings you the most joy? Stop overthinking. Start tracking.
Most people sit around wondering what makes them happy instead of actually testing it. They wait for some magical aha moment instead of collecting real data from their own life. That’s why they stay stuck—chasing things that should make them happy but never do.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Audit Your Energy – Pay attention to what lights you up vs. what drains you. After a conversation, a workout, a project—ask yourself: Do I feel more alive or more exhausted? That’s your first clue.
- Look at Your Calendar – If joy isn’t showing up in how you spend your time, it’s not real. What do you choose to do when nobody’s forcing you? That’s what actually brings you joy.
- Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work – If something consistently makes you miserable, quit lying to yourself about it. Cut it out. You don’t find joy—you make space for it.
- Repeat What Works – Once you find something that actually makes you feel good (not just in the moment, but long-term), double down. Make it a habit. Build your life around it.
The answer isn’t in some deep soul-searching session. It’s in the data of your own life. Track it, test it, repeat what works. That’s how you know what brings you joy.
The Pursuit of Joy
The “pursuit of joy” refers to the intentional and ongoing effort to seek and experience jubilation in one’s life. It is often seen as a profound, enduring sense of happiness and fulfillment beyond momentary pleasures.
Pursuing jubilation involves consciously engaging in activities, cultivating relationships, and adopting perspectives that contribute to a positive and satisfying life.
This pursuit is deeply personal and varies from person to person, as what brings jubilation to one individual may differ from another.
It encompasses a holistic approach to well-being, recognizing that ecstasy can be found in various aspects of life, including relationships, personal growth, meaningful experiences, and a sense of purpose.
Pursuing jubilation is not about the constant pursuit of hedonistic pleasure or avoiding challenges. Instead, it involves navigating life’s complexities with an awareness of what brings genuine and lasting elation.
This might involve fostering meaningful connections with others, pursuing passions and interests, practicing gratitude, and engaging in acts of kindness.
Ultimately, the meaning of the pursuit lies in intentionally cultivating positivity and a fulfilling life, where individuals actively seek out and create moments and experiences that contribute to their overall sense of well-being and contentment.
What’s The Difference Between Joy and Happiness?
While joy and happiness are often used interchangeably, they convey distinct emotional experiences, each with its own characteristics and implications. Understanding the differences between them can provide insights into the complexity of human emotions:
- Duration and Intensity:
- Happiness is often associated with short-term, situational experiences. It can arise from external factors such as a pleasant event, a compliment, or a moment of success. Happiness tends to be more fleeting and can be influenced by external circumstances.
- Joy is considered a more profound emotion. It often persists regardless of external circumstances and can endure both positive and challenging times. It is less dependent on specific events and more rooted in inner contentment and peace.
- Happiness is often associated with short-term, situational experiences. It can arise from external factors such as a pleasant event, a compliment, or a moment of success. Happiness tends to be more fleeting and can be influenced by external circumstances.
- Source:
- Happiness is commonly linked to external factors, events, or achievements. It is often a reaction to favorable conditions, accomplishments, or the fulfillment of desires.
- Joy has a more internal source. It can emanate from a sense of connection, meaning, or spiritual well-being. Elation can be experienced even in the absence of external validation or circumstances.
- Happiness is commonly linked to external factors, events, or achievements. It is often a reaction to favorable conditions, accomplishments, or the fulfillment of desires.
- Expression:
- Happiness is often expressed through outward signs such as smiling, laughter, or a positive demeanor. It is more visible and may be tied to specific behaviors or reactions.
- Joy can be a quieter and more profound emotion. It may not always be as outwardly expressive as happiness but is felt on a deeper, more spiritual or soulful level.
- Happiness is often expressed through outward signs such as smiling, laughter, or a positive demeanor. It is more visible and may be tied to specific behaviors or reactions.
- Temporal Aspect:
- Happiness is frequently associated with the present moment. It is a response to immediate circumstances or events.
- Joy often has a more timeless quality. It can be experienced in the present but may also connect to a broader sense of purpose, transcending the immediate moment.
- Happiness is frequently associated with the present moment. It is a response to immediate circumstances or events.
- State vs. Trait:
- Happiness is often seen as a state that fluctuates based on external conditions. It is more variable and can be influenced by daily experiences.
- Joy is sometimes considered a more enduring trait. It is a state of being that reflects an individual’s overall sense of contentment and fulfillment, irrespective of external fluctuations.
- Happiness is often seen as a state that fluctuates based on external conditions. It is more variable and can be influenced by daily experiences.
In summary, while both contribute positively to our well-being, joy is often perceived as a deeper, more lasting emotion that emanates from within. In contrast, happiness is frequently tied to external circumstances and immediate experiences.
Both are valuable aspects of the human emotional spectrum, offering different dimensions to our understanding of well-being and satisfaction.
Understanding This Multifaceted Emotion
Joy is a multifaceted emotion arising from various sources that vary from person to person.
It can be found in simple, everyday moments and grand, life-changing events. The key to unlocking jubilation is recognizing and appreciating these moments, fostering an awareness that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
- Connection and Relationships:
One of the most potent sources is our deep and meaningful connections with others. Be it family, friends, or romantic partners, the bonds we cultivate contribute significantly to our overall well-being.
Shared laughter, empathetic conversations, and a sense of belonging create a foundation for enduring exultation.
- Pursuit of Passion:
Engaging in activities that resonate with our passions and interests is a surefire way to invite them into our lives.
Whether it’s a hobby, a creative pursuit, or a career that aligns with our values, the sense of purpose derived from pursuing what we love can be unparalleled in its ability to bring exultation.
- Gratitude and Mindfulness:
Cultivating gratitude and practicing mindfulness are powerful tools in your quest.
Taking a moment to appreciate the present, acknowledging the positive aspects of our lives, and expressing gratitude for the small and large blessings can shift our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant.
- Personal Growth and Achievement:
Setting and achieving personal goals, no matter how small, contributes significantly to a sense of accomplishment and triumph.
Whether learning a new skill, completing a project, or overcoming a challenge, your personal growth journey is inherently tied to the jubilation we derive from our accomplishments.
- Acts of Kindness and Service:
The elation that comes from helping others is a testament to humanity’s interconnectedness. Acts of kindness, big or small, create a ripple effect that positively impacts the recipient and brings a sense of fulfillment and great pleasure to the giver.
Doing What Brings You The Most Joy
Doing what brings you joy is a simple yet powerful statement that encourages us to prioritize activities that fill us with happiness and fulfillment.
It’s about stepping away from routines and obligations that drain our energy and seeking out experiences that spark our inner light instead.
Imagine a child’s face lighting up as they run through a field of wildflowers, the feeling of accomplishment after mastering a new skill, or the deep sense of connection during a heartfelt conversation with a loved one.
These are all moments of joy, and they each hold the power to enrich our lives.
When prioritizing feeling great, we’re not just seeking fleeting moments of pleasure. We’re investing in our well-being, nurturing our creativity, and cultivating a sense of purpose. The activities that bring us great pleasure can be as diverse as the individuals.
For some, it might be spending time in nature, creating art, connecting with loved ones, or pursuing a passion project.
The key is to pay attention to what makes your heart sing and then make time for it, even if it’s just in small doses.
Here are some tips for incorporating more into your life:
Take some quiet time to think about the activities, people, and places that make you feel happy and alive. Jot down a few ideas to create a personal list.”
Block out time in your calendar to do something that brings you great pleasure, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Treat it like an important appointment.
Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. You might discover a hidden passion you never knew you had.
Share with loved ones. Doing things you love with others can amplify happiness.
When you’re doing something you love, savor the experience. Put away your phone, be mindful of your surroundings, and fully immerse yourself in the present.
Remember, jubilation is not a destination; it’s a journey.
When you are fundamentally joyous, when you do not have to do anything to be happy, then every dimension of your life – the way you perceive and express yourself and the world – will change.
You will no longer have vested interests because whether you do something or you do not do something, whether you get something or do not get something, whether something happens or does not happen, you will be joyous by your nature.
When you are joyous by your nature, your actions will rise to a completely different level.
– Sadhguru
Why does this even matter? Simple. Because without it, life feels like a grind.
You can have all the money, success, and status in the world, but if you’re waking up dreading the day… what’s the point? The people who win long-term aren’t just chasing results—they actually enjoy the process. That’s what keeps them going when things get hard.
Here’s the real reason it’s important:
- Energy = Performance – When you enjoy what you do, you work harder, think clearer, and perform better. Burnout isn’t from working too much—it’s from doing the wrong things.
- Happiness Is a Competitive Edge – People want to be around those who are genuinely fulfilled. It attracts better relationships, opportunities, and success. No one wants to follow someone who’s miserable.
- It Makes the Struggle Worth It – Life isn’t easy. You’ll have challenges no matter what. But when you actually like what you’re doing, those challenges become fuel instead of roadblocks.
At the end of the day, it’s not about chasing happiness—it’s about designing a life that doesn’t make you want to escape from it. Figure out what excites you, build your life around it, and everything else gets easier.
What’s Bringing Me the Most Joy These Days
What brings me the most joy these days.
- Solving Bigger Problems – Growth is addicting. The more I level up, the more interesting the challenges get. That’s way more exciting than staying comfortable.
- Building, Not Consuming – Creating something valuable—whether it’s a business, a system, or just a better version of myself—beats scrolling through useless content all day.
- Training Like an Athlete – Lifting heavy, pushing my limits, and seeing progress in real time? Feels way better than sitting around complaining about getting older.
- Quality Over Quantity (in Everything) – Fewer, deeper friendships. Less clutter, more focus. Less busywork, more impact. Simple formula: cut the fluff, double down on what matters.
- Teaching What I’ve Learned – Helping others shortcut their mistakes? Feels like a cheat code. Plus, explaining things forces me to understand them at a higher level.
- Winning With the Right People – Success alone is boring. Winning alongside people who share your drive? That’s next-level.
- Not Needing External Validation – The less I care about what people think, the more I do what actually makes sense. Turns out, that’s the fastest way to build something great.
- Stacking Small Wins – Massive goals are built on tiny, repeatable actions. Seeing daily progress—even if it’s just 1%—is ridiculously satisfying.
- Simplicity in Everything – Less overthinking, more doing. Less reacting, more intentional action. Life is complicated enough—why make it harder?
- Enjoying the Game – Business, fitness, life… it’s all a game. The moment you stop having fun, you start losing. I’d rather play to win and enjoy the process.
The best things in life aren’t random—they’re designed. What’s bringing you the most joy these days? If you can’t answer that, time to start testing.
The Pursuit of Joy Conclusion
At the end of the day, what brings you joy isn’t some mystery waiting to be solved. It’s already in your life—you just have to pay attention.
If you’re stuck, stop chasing what should make you happy and start testing what actually does. Cut what drains you. Double down on what excites you. The formula is simple:
- Audit what brings you energy – If it fires you up, do more of it. If it sucks the life out of you, drop it.
- Prioritize what brings long-term fulfillment – Short-term pleasure fades. Real joy compounds.
- Build a life around what brings you real satisfaction – Not what impresses others. Not what looks good on paper. What actually makes you feel alive.
For me, what brings me the most joy is simple—growth, impact, and playing the game at a high level. If you don’t know what brings you joy yet, start testing. Track what works. Adjust as you go.
Because the truth is, joy isn’t found. It’s built.
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