I try to pay attention to my thoughts and be aware of my emotions and feelings every day. I notice what brings me joy and makes me feel happy, content and whole. I admit that I don’t succeed in living in that joyful, blissful place constantly, but my little victory is that I have stopped beating myself up for that, and instead I try to linger there again and again, for longer and longer. I try to get myself back to the place of joy and my authentic happiness by naming the activities that have that effect on me. I do those activities. I send my thanks to all directions when I start and end my day, and “I think to myself what a wonderful world…”. (Yes, yes, yes, even though it is messed up, topsy-turvy, teetering on ridiculous, and painful at times, it is also undeniably glorious, beautiful, real, and miraculous.)

So, here is my (partial) list of joyful things to do: knitting, crocheting, reading, writing, wrapping gifts, singing, listening to others sing, listening to my three sons sing together, savoring a generous helping of strong, black coffee early in the morning, watching sunsets (worthy of attention of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince), watching sunrises (also at least as noteworthy as the sunsets), admiring blooming trees, admiring trees with no foliage at all, dancing, watching others dance, and practicing yoga to mention but a few.

For about 20 years now my different and sometimes divergent lists (of things to do, of joyful things to do, of things to be thankful for, of things to pay attention to etc.) have included yoga – often a mix of different styles of yoga, depending on my needs, maturity and circumstances. (You can read and find out more about various styles of Yoga and which one or ones are right for you in my yoga teacher’s Sue Anne Parsons’ blog post this month.) At times just some casual stretching and moving about has been good enough, but there have been days when nothing less than “a full on” Let It Go Yoga class would work. Those are the times when a personal Let It Go Yoga practice finds its place on my joyful things to do list!

“You’d be amazed how many people love writing and sharing their joy list, but they forget to schedule and do the very things that bring them joy. Create your list and then live it—joyfully”, says Andi Saitowitz, professional Life Coach, author and motivational speaker.

So, point taken – let’s go for it! I invite us all to write these lists of joyful things to do, and then plug at least some of them into our days and weeks. And do them. And do them joyfully. Let It Go Yoga is on my list, right there, along with rejoicing in the blooming trees and sunsets, and more.
What about your list?

Written by Indra Strong, Certified Let It Go Yoga teacher.

Want to know more about Let It Go Yoga? Start here with our Diaphragmatic Breathing Video!