Seeking Joy in a World That Profits from Anger
In today’s digital age, it often feels like negativity is everywhere. Social media algorithms, news cycles, and even entertainment seem fine-tuned to keep us engaged by fueling outrage or anxiety. It’s easy to get swept up in it all, but what if we made a conscious choice to seek out joy instead? What if we filled our lives – both online and offline – with things that bring us genuine happiness, like handmade art, nature, or the quiet satisfaction of creating something beautiful?
The Internet Thrives on Outrage – But You Don’t Have To
Many platforms profit from engagement, and nothing holds attention quite like anger. Scrolling through divisive comment sections or doom-filled news stories can become addictive. But that constant exposure to negativity can take a toll on our mental health and overall outlook on life.
What if, instead, we redirected that energy? Imagine spending those moments discovering small-batch artisans, watching videos of someone painting landscapes, or diving into hobbies that remind you of simple joys.
How to Seek Joy in Small Ways
- Curate Your Digital Space – Follow artists, creators, and pages that inspire you. Fill your feed with color, beauty, and positive stories.
- Support Small Creators – Whether it’s purchasing handmade goods or simply engaging with their content, celebrating art over outrage makes a difference.
- Create for the Sake of Creating – Let go of expectations of perfection. Sometimes, the joy is in the process, not the outcome.
- Connect with Nature – Go for walks, collect flowers, or simply sit outside. Bringing elements of nature into resin or other crafts bridges that connection to the earth.
- Celebrate the Little Wins – Whether you finish a small project or learn a new technique, celebrate it. These moments are just as important as the bigger milestones.
- Practice Gratitude – Start or end your day by listing a few things that made you smile. This simple practice shifts focus away from negativity.
- Limit Negative Content – Actively mute or unfollow accounts and pages that frequently promote outrage or divisiveness. Replace them with sources of inspiration and joy.
- Engage in Activities That Bring Nostalgia – Revisit childhood hobbies or pastimes that brought you happiness. Sometimes, simple pleasures can reignite forgotten joy.
- Surround Yourself with Beauty – Fill your living space with things that make you smile – handmade art, fresh flowers, or cozy decor that brings comfort.
- Prioritize Connection – Spend quality time with loved ones, engage in shared activities, and cherish the moments that bring laughter and warmth.
Crafting Joy – A Personal Escape
For me, resin art became a refuge from the noise. The process of preserving delicate flowers or swirling pigments in resin is grounding – a reminder that beauty still exists, and it can be created with my own two hands. It’s not just about the final product, but the act of crafting itself that brings a sense of calm and accomplishment.
Seeking out handmade art or even creating it yourself doesn’t just provide an escape – it reconnects you with your own creativity and the joy of seeing something uniquely yours take shape. Whether it’s resin crafts, knitting, painting, or even gardening, these acts of creation shift focus from frustration to fulfillment.
Above: One of My Favorite Creations Inspired by my Love of Space
Traveling – Joy in Exploration and Inspiration
Another source of joy for me is traveling. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about stepping into a new place, soaking in the sights, sounds, and culture. Travel is not just about escaping routine – it’s about discovery. Whether wandering through historical sites, finding hidden art markets, or simply enjoying a different landscape, every trip sparks inspiration and reminds me of the beauty that exists beyond our daily lives.
Travel reminds me that there are so many beautiful places and people in this world.
These experiences often find their way into my resin creations. A flower picked during a walk, the color of the ocean on a summer trip, or even patterns inspired by architecture abroad – travel breathes new life into my art. It’s a reminder that the world is vast and filled with wonder, and sometimes, the best way to spark joy is to explore it.
Above: This Little Girl was So Excited to Encounter a Cat at Hagia Sophia in Instanbul
Above: Here she is chasing It. She was so cute.
Above: A Cat I Encountered at a Temple of Apollo in Turkey
Above: “Tell Her You Love Her” A message I saw written on a mini phone booth in Rome
Joy is a Choice Worth Making
Choosing joy in a world that constantly pulls you toward frustration isn’t always easy – but it’s worth it. There’s something quietly rebellious about seeking beauty and happiness, about filling your home with things that spark joy. Whether through resin art, supporting other creators, traveling, or simply slowing down to appreciate the little things, joy has a way of multiplying when we let it in.
In a time when the world profits from your anger, let’s choose to create, celebrate, and seek out the things that remind us what happiness feels like. And maybe, just maybe, that small act of seeking joy can ripple outward, creating a little more light in the world for everyone.
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