The 10 Most Underrated Joyful Moments

The world has felt really sad, and chaotic, and out of control lately. And I hope you are all doing okay and taking care of yourselves, because it’s easy to slip away and be absorbed by the chaos of the world if you’re not intentional.

Right now, I’m living by the mantra that joy is resistance. We can’t disconnect from the world, but we also can’t forget to find moments of beauty and joy all around us every day. Especially those beautiful moments that are completely free – like being in nature or spending time with someone you love. That’s what we need right now.

So in that spirit, I’m going to be sharing my list of underrated joyful moments. I hope you are lucky enough to experience these in your lifetime.

#1. Eating a snack while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

There are three types of people in the world: people who don’t like hiking, people who take hiking far too seriously, and people who (rightfully) understand that the best part of the hike is neither the journey nor the destination, but rather the snack break.

Listen, if you don’t get it, you don’t get it. I can’t explain this feeling to you. There is just something pure magic about eating a grape or a pretzel or a deli meat sandwich mid-way through a hike, surrounded by trees, or water, or mountains. Add in good company and with the feeling of being slightly winded, it’s even that much more satisfying.

The most transcendent part of the experience is that a lovely landscape can transform a snack. I do not like deli meat sandwiches, but if you plop me down at a campsite and tell me we’re going on an adventure, I crave nothing more. Somehow, with the right scenery, it tastes even better when it’s a little warm and a slightly squished.

I truly, truly believe that life is only as full as the number of beautiful places you’ve enjoyed a snack.

#2. Diving into an empty swimming pool.

To me, this is the epitome of peace. There is nothing more relaxing than diving into an empty pool and being surrounded by water that is all your own. The feeling of hitting the water, the quiet that sets in when you’re submerged, the sense of calm that comes with focusing on holding your breath. I love this feeling.

When I’m underwater, for a fleeting moment, I feel unstoppable. I glide through the water and I feel completely separate from everything going on around me and inside my brain. I can’t explain it, but underwater and completely alone, worries melt away and for a moment the world continues on around while your time stands still.

#3. Witnessing someone do something they love

One of the greatest joys of being a human is our diversity of interests. We can love music or art or technology or math or stars. We can love books or podcasts or TV shows or comedians. We can love cooking or trying new restaurants or tasting unique beers. Or so, so many other things. The possibilities are endless!

But even more beautiful is that we can enjoy different interests from our friends or family or even complete strangers and still wholeheartedly support them in what they love. If we’re really lucky, then we may even get the experience to watch them do something they love. This is real beauty. The purest of joys.

If you pay really close attention, you can watch someone else’s passion bring them to life. It’s not just in the way they smile or the way their eyes shine. It’s watching them become lighter and a little bit more free.

It’s the kind of thing that gives me chills because it feels so personal and yet so universal all at the same time.

#4. Bundling up, heading outside, and drinking a hot beverage.

I’m a firm believer that when we do activities that pair together two opposite extreme temperatures the best things happen.

To be fair, I came up with that philosophy right here in this moment, but I absolutely stand by it.

For example, a long hike and a drink of cold water. A sauna and a cold plunge. A snowy day and a hot tub. And a hot beverage while outside in the cold. This theory is foolproof.

There are a few layers to this one. The first is that the moment is all the more

joyful when you’re hesitant at first. That feeling of, ooooh, do I really want to go outside when it’s 30 degrees? The answer is most certainly no. But if you can pull yourself past that feeling and decide to do it anyway, that’s when the magic happens.

It is ~chef’s kiss~ when you go outside, all bundled up in so many layers and take a nice little walk over to a place that you enjoy and sit on a bench and drink a hot cocoa. Or a tea. Or a coffee. Mmmm, I can feel it now.

There’s something in the build up to feeling slightly grumpy while you adjust to the weather, and the uncomfortable but tolerable itch on your forehead from your scratchy hat, and not quite being able to open your thermos with your mittens.

That truly joyful moment is the one where you realize that your grumpiness and your hesitancy were silly, because what you’re experiencing now is tranquility and you tried to fight it. So much beauty surfaces in that tension between comfort and exploration (however mild or extreme).

#5. Eating something you grew or made from scratch.

Another one of my mantras at the moment is gardening is resistance, and what a joyful way to resist. Is there anything more beautiful and delectable than eating a cucumber sandwich made with a cucumber you grew. Or bruschetta with tomatoes you grew and bread you made? There is not!

For all my non-gardening friends, this is your sign. Start small and believe in yourself and your planties!

#6. Walking to get a treat.

As a millennial, I abide by “little treat” culture. I ran an errand, so I need to get myself a little treat. I had to get my blood drawn – little treat. I had to meet a new person – little treat. I had to wake up – little treat! There is no limit to how many scenarios require little treats. The limit does not exist!

But a little treat is so much sweeter when you go on a little walk to get your little treat. There’s just something so homey and community-feeling to me about leaving my house on foot and returning with a half eaten treat.

My favorites: an iced coffee, an ice cream, or a pastry,

#7. Attending a local outdoor concert.

Outdoor concerts are lovely for so many reasons!

What I love most about a outdoor concert is that it brings people together.

There is nothing quite like a hot summer evening, drinking a cold beer, eating a snack from a food truck, playing frisbee or cards, or sitting and catching up with friends while listening to local music at a park or winery or amphitheater.

It’s special because it takes what could be a completely ordinary moment – a dinner at home or maybe what would have been just a snapshot in time – and turns it into an experience.

#8. Watching flowers and trees bloom.

You know what is a wild and cool thing? That the nature all around us dies and then comes back to life. In front of our eyes! Slowly things come back to life and slowly they bloom. They bring greenery and flowers and bees and butterflies!

I realize that I am describing to you things that go on around us constantly. But how often do you slow down and think about it? I think that’s kind of what this whole blog is about.

Wondrous, amazing, joyful moments happen all around us constantly. But are we watching?

9/10 times so many of us are not. So this spring, I encourage you to notice the new growth all around you. And maybe try to notice the growth within as well!

#9. All moments involving blankets.

Last but certainly not least is, simply, blankets. Being wrapped in blankets in any setting!

At home on the couch, with your dog on your lap.

On a freezing cold day when one just isn’t enough.

Out at a sporting event on a brisk morning.

Around a fire while indulging in a s’more.

Covering your eyes during a scary movie, but peaking out to see what’s going on.

Curled up while reading a book.

When it’s a little too warm to be wrapped up, but you love the feeling of the fabric on your skin.

When you’re out and about and find a perfectly lovely new blanket.

This is joy.

#10. Sharing something (positive) that calls to you with others.

I’ll tell you what, writing this blog has given me the warm fuzzies. It may be a new underrated joyful moment.

In the spirit of my 2025 ins & outs, I’m trying to blog more. And I’m trying to accept that not all my blogs need to be laced with humor. Sharing this feels vulnerable, but it also feels right. I’ve gotten joy from writing this blog, and right now, I feel the happiness and coziness of a person wrapped in a blanket, eating a hiking snack, and tending to my garden – all at once! New joyfulness level unlocked.

Cheers,

Lisa