Redefining Happiness — Finding Joy in the Simple Things
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 13
I’ve always enjoyed the simple things in life. A good meal, a walk outside, a quiet moment with a cup of Tea—those are the things that have always brought me peace.
But I’ve also learned that happiness doesn’t mean doing the same simple things over and over again. Sometimes it means stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new. That might sound like a contradiction, but it isn’t. Happiness lives in both the familiar and the adventurous.
What Happiness Used to Mean to Me
For most of my life, happiness looked like checking boxes. A job, a family, a house, stability. I thought if I just worked hard enough, I’d finally feel complete.
But somewhere between all the doing and the giving, I realized that happiness isn’t something you earn. It’s something you notice.
It’s the moment your grandchild laughs so hard they snort. It’s when the smell of something baking takes you back to your childhood kitchen. It’s when you try a new food and it surprises you in the best way.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
I’ll be honest—I’m a creature of habit. I like my routines and my familiar meals. But over the years, I’ve learned that stepping out of my comfort zone doesn’t have to mean something big or dramatic. Sometimes it’s as small as trying a new dish or taking a different route to work.
I used to stick with what I knew, but when I started saying yes to small new things, I realized how much joy I’d been missing.
When I travel, I try local dishes even if they sound unusual. When I go somewhere new, I talk to strangers. Those moments remind me that life still has surprises left, and not all surprises are bad.
The more I opened myself to new experiences, the more I realized that happiness grows best when you stop trying to control everything.
The Joy Hidden in Ordinary Moments
Happiness isn’t loud. It doesn’t always come with fireworks or big milestones. Sometimes it’s a quiet moment that catches you off guard.
It’s the sound of rain while you’re curled up reading. It’s sharing food with a neighbor. It’s the freedom to laugh at yourself.
When I started slowing down and appreciating those moments, I realized how much beauty I had been rushing past. I didn’t need to buy happiness; I just needed to notice it.
Finding Balance Between Simple and New
I like to think of life as a balance between roots and wings. The roots are the simple things that ground me—family, faith, good food, laughter. The wings are the things that challenge me—trying something new, meeting new people, learning something that stretches my mind.
Both matter. Too much routine can make life dull, but too much adventure can leave you drained. The joy is in finding your balance.
Faith and Gratitude in Everyday Joy
My faith helps me see happiness differently now. I believe joy isn’t something we chase—it’s something God sprinkles through our days, waiting for us to notice.
When I take time to thank Him for the small blessings—the smell of fresh bread, a hug, a sunset—it shifts my mood completely. Gratitude is like a magnifying glass for joy. The more thankful I am, the more I find to be thankful for.
How to Redefine Happiness in Your Own Life
Pause for small joys. Notice things that make you smile without effort.
Try something new every month. A recipe, a hobby, a park—you’ll find joy in the unexpected.
Unplug and be present. Some moments can’t be experienced through a screen.
Celebrate simple victories. You made it through a hard day? That’s worth celebrating.
Create, don’t consume. Cook, paint, write, plant—use your hands and heart.
Laugh daily. Even if it’s at yourself. Especially if it’s at yourself.
Be around joyful people. Energy spreads; surround yourself with people who lift you up.
Give joy away. Compliments, kindness, and smiles multiply happiness.
Keep a “Joy Journal.” Write down the small things that make you happy.
Say thank you often. Gratitude turns ordinary days into meaningful ones.
What You Can Try Today
Try one new food this week—something you’ve never ordered before.
Take a walk and look for three beautiful things you’ve never noticed.
Write down five small joys from your day.
Do one kind thing for someone without expecting anything back.
Reflect on what brings you peace—not what others say should.
Share a meal or dessert with a friend or neighbor.
Put down your phone and just enjoy your surroundings for ten minutes.
Listen to a song that always makes you smile.
Think about one simple thing from childhood that brought you joy. Can you recreate it?
End the day by whispering, “Thank you for this moment.”
Final Thoughts
Redefining happiness isn’t about chasing bigger goals. It’s about slowing down long enough to see that joy is already woven into your life.
When you start appreciating both the quiet comforts and the new experiences, you stop waiting for happiness to arrive—you start living it.
Happiness is right where you are, in the life you already have. You just have to look for it.
♥
Support on Your Journey
If you’d like connection and encouragement, I invite you to become part of the survivinglifelessons community groups where we share openly, support one another, and walk this journey together. You don’t have to do this alone.
Also, if you ever need someone to talk with —just a friendly ear, not a counselor —check out our Neighbor Chat service. This is a place where people listen, share, and connect about whatever topic is on your mind every day. Because sometimes all you need is to simply be heard.
So here’s to you—the person showing up for themselves, step by step. Here’s to the friend you are becoming to yourself. The journey won’t always be easy. But it will always be worth it. And I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
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