Finding Joy in Everyday Life
Hustle culture is poison. I’ve never bought into it—the idea that sacrificing every part of your life will bring an imagined “ideal” life. Even if you become one of the rare survivors, what’s the point of being on top if you’re alone, estranged from those you claimed to love but sacrificed at the altar of your greed?
Those who do this often convince themselves they’re doing it for their loved ones, offering a better life. But the truth is, they’re seeking power and status. This cycle slowly strips away everything of value in their lives, leaving them with people who value them for their money and power, not for who they truly are.
Hustle culture also perpetuates the myth that hard work alone leads to success. Here’s the hard truth: that rarely works. Success is a combination of hard work, the right connections, and yes, a bit of luck. Sometimes, blind hard work benefits others. They sell you a dream, have you do the work, and they profit while you remain stuck, your life drained by someone else’s vision.
Our society often prioritizes work over everything else. But the truth is, life’s value doesn’t lie in endless hustle. It’s in the people around us—our families, friends, and loved ones. It’s in the relationships that bring meaning to our lives.
Life can be hard, and adulting can be frustrating. No one really has it all together, despite how it seems when we’re young. Some people are born into easier circumstances, but the joy of life comes from connection, not money. Whether rich or poor, joy is rooted in the people we share it with.
Most of us, me included, have to balance work with our personal lives. We look forward to things like birthdays, family gatherings, or vacations. But life happens in the in-between moments, and neglecting those small joys means missing out on the true value of everyday life.
If you’re reading this and thinking that it doesn’t apply to you—if you feel like no one cares and life isn’t worth much—I urge you to look inward. Maybe you’ve been dealt a difficult hand. But take responsibility for your life. If you want to meet new people, take a class, join a group, and keep trying. Friendship doesn’t just happen, but it will come if you persist.
Whether you’re alone or surrounded by people, joy can be found in everyday life. For me, it’s waking up to fresh snow, the crisp scent of fall, enjoying a hot chocolate, sitting by a fire, or simply going for a drive and watching the world go by. It’s the excitement of buying a new book or journal, practicing the viola, or brainstorming book ideas.
The joy isn’t just in the end result but in the anticipation and process. Most of these things don’t cost money. While it’s important to balance everything in a healthy way, I’ve learned that filling voids with material things never works long-term.
I don’t want my life to be about constantly chasing the next big thing. I look forward to the big events, but I want to find joy in the small moments every day. I want to look back and see a dozen little things that made me happy, not just the major events.
I realize that not every day will be joyful, and not every moment will bring happiness. But if life were all joy, it would lose its meaning. What matters is that, when I look back on my day, week, or month, I want to see more joy than blandness or sadness.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind that brings you joy?
