Finding Small Joys on Difficult Days

I used to measure my good days by how much I got done; I pressured myself to pushing against my symptoms to ‘achieve’ and it became exhausting. I have since learned that peace, comfort and rest are so meaningful, and finding joys on difficult days is so important. Some days, joy looks less like achievements, and more like listening to my body, resting before needed, and slowing down.

The Quiet Shift: Stopping the Fight

In last week’s blog post, I spoke about the reality of ‘good days’ when it comes to chronic illness. This week I want to tackle the shift that occurs when I started finding small joys on difficult days.

I began by slowing down, and taking time to rest between tasks instead of constantly resisting my body and what it needs. I accepted a slower rhythm to my days and started to give myself permission to rest without feeling guilt.

The slowing down, has allowed me to notice those small moments again and to take them in. It started to give me time to breath, and to listen to my body without it screaming for my attention. But more than that, it let my body quieten so I could slow down the regular flares my body would have.

Tiny Joys That Make Difficult Days Softer

• A breath in the garden – When I am able to, I find stepping outside for a few quiet moments makes all the difference, feeling the air, the sunlight on my face, smelling the plants and hearing the birdsong. Nature is so grounding, it gets me out of my head, and even when my energy is low helps me to feel in the moment. As a witch, it helps me to find that magic that comes from those small moments outside no matter what the weather is like.
• Naps, TV & Gentle Company – On difficult days, I often curl up on the sofa and watch TV with my mom. I love being able to rest on these days and to spend time with someone I love. Sharing this time resting is so healing and something that feels so special and something I look forward to even on the hardest days. This time together allows it to be moments of connection instead of just ‘lost time’.
• Early Nights & Quiet Evenings – Since moving in with my mom, I am rarely alone and as an introvert that can sometimes feel like a lot. I started going to bed early so I can have some time resting alone. This is an act of kindness to myself and stops me getting socially exhausted. It allows me to rest before burnout, and to find peaceful nighttime rituals that help me to sleep better.
• Colouring, Art & Creating Without Pressure – I am a very creative person, and I love making art as it is soothing and reconnects me to playfulness and softness. Colouring is perfect for finding small joys on difficult days as it connects me with mindfulness. It allows me to be creative without being performative or for any reason other than it is fun and away from a screen for a while.
• Thrifting & Creating a Home Slowly – Having a home that is full of whimsy and joy and cosiness can be hard on a budget. But that is why I love thrifting, because I can curate my space slowly instead of rushing, while finding treasures along the way. It leads me to building a home that genuinely comforts me and creates a space that supports my disabled body and mind. Slow decorating feels more meaningful than just buying everything for a space in one trip, rebuilding life gently, piece by piece.
• Puppy Cuddles & Reading – One of my favourite things to do on a difficult day is to cuddle up with my puppy and read. These moments are safety, warm and calm, they keep me grounded and mindful even in flares of pain or fatigue. It is often these small moments that become the most memorable, and they remind me to choose softness over pressure.

Redefining a “Good Day”

Often, finding small joys on difficult days comes down to reframing what we see as important. A good day does not need to be productive, and rest is not a failure, in fact just gently surviving the day still counts!

Joy can exist alongside chronic pain and fatigue, and the small moments that help us to feel good matter deeply. Maybe a good day is simply one where we allow ourselves a little softness, finding beauty in the slow, quiet and difficult days.

Thank you xx

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If you enjoyed this, you might also like:

• How To Stay Calm Under Pressure
• You Are Worthy of Love
• Finding Small Joys on Difficult Days
• What a “Good Day” Really Means With Chronic Illness
• The Softest Version of Self-Care on Low Energy Days