If you’re looking to add more Deep Joy and adventure to your life, keep reading for my top 3 tips.

But first, let’s define what Deep Joy is. 

Sometimes it’s easier to explain what a thing is not, so let’s start there. Deep Joy is not happiness. Deep Joy is so much better than mere happiness. 

Happiness is situational. 
When circumstances are great, we’re happy.
When they’re not, we’re not happy. 

Happiness is based on circumstances, and therefore is out of our control. Happiness is from the outside in.

But we buy into culture’s lie that we can control our happiness. We just have to do one simple thing:

-Read this book

-Get that next promotion

-Work harder! Try harder! Play harder! Go, go, go!

-Find a man 

-Have sex

-Lose weight 

-Fill in the blank ……

Sound familiar? How many of us live chasing these elusive lies?

Hint: If you live for “that next thing”—the better job, the thinner body, the bigger house, the next relationship—you’re living for happiness. And happiness never arrives. There’s always one more thing.

And let me just say that happiness is not bad. But it’s Deep Joy that makes us feel so full. 

Deep Joy is from the inside out. It’s an inner fulfillment that’s independent of your surrounding circumstances. 

You can be unhappy and in pain, because your outward circumstances aren’t going your way, but still have Deep Joy and light radiating from your inner being. 

Regardless of your circumstances, living in Deep Joy leaves you fulfilled and satisfied, always with something to give others. But it comes from your spirit. From your connection to God. From an energy you connect to that brings you to the present where all else fades away. 

Deep Joy is something very few of us feel often or prioritize engaging in our joy because of our overscheduled and busy lives. 

Bringing joy and adventure into your life takes you being INTENTIONAL. 

One of the places I get my deepest joy is in stillness. In connection to God. But that takes me being intentional with keeping my daily mediation and listening practice. 

Another way I find deep joy and adventure is by harnessing the risk taker in me. 

Like when I traveled the world for 18 months after I sold my skincare line in 2015. Was it scary? Yes. Was I coming into stillness every morning to confirm that this was what my next step was to be? Yes. I kept trusting and knowing that with daily conscious contact I would always be guided, and I would never be alone. This type of living prioritized joy and adventure as I built my business. 

Up until that point life had been monotonous with the daily grind of running a brand in New York City. 

I knew I had to make a shift to allow the spirit of joy and adventure into my life. 

When I left to go travel, every new landscape was breathtaking. Every moment was a joyous surprise. I received pleasure from walks through unknown city streets and forests on my many travels, and realized how simple it could be to bring this joy and adventure into my every day when I returned back home to the US. 

Now I am not saying you need to travel the world to be in your joy & spirit of adventure but it’s a skill and mindset that you get to practice right where you are right now, in your own home and town. 

So, here are 3 of my favorite ways to keep life exciting, let’s take a peek: 

1. Follow Your Feet

Let your feet guide you. When you go on a walk that is meant for enjoyment, instead of having a preconceived route of where you think your walk or run will take you, let your feet speak for you. It is an intuitive practice of allowing your body to guide you, and often leads to the discovery of new streets, parks, and a total sense of adventure. As you set out on your walk with the intention of your feet being your guide, you will find that your body will have a pull to a certain direction—go with it. To this day I still discover new roads, routes, and gorgeous havens that amaze me all the time here in Miami. I recently found a magical park and walk path that feels like a womb because it’s secluded and covered with so many trees where I see peacocks cross the street near one of my favorite bridges. I couldn’t believe that 5 years went by and I hadn’t discovered it until about 2 months ago. That’s the beauty of adventure and following your feet!

2. Take Mini-Trips

I know that month-long and year-long adventures are not realistic for many people. But most of us can find a day or a weekend to get out of town and explore. Getting out of your city and exploring a new city or quiet rural village, or island, is an adventurous way to spark joy into your life. Out here in Miami, there are so many beaches near me that feel like I am far away from the bustle of my own city and transport me to a whole new life, if even for just a weekend. A couple weeks ago I went up north to Jupiter and Juno Beach. It was such a breath of fresh air. Whether you live near some islands, or are simply a few hours away from another gorgeous city or town, getting out of your everyday surroundings helps to spark your spirit and rejuvenate your sense of appreciation and joy for the little things. Because I am a nomad at heart, I am already planning a 3-month long adventure in Italy, Spain and the South of France while I still work partially in 2023. I love the joy and excitement that comes with exploring other cultures and countries (hence why I have built a business around my one deepest joys: travel). It’s one of my deepest passions to host retreats around the world! 

3. Do something out of the ordinary

When I travel, I am always checking out new cafes, yoga studios and restaurants. My daily routine changes and I am living more in the moment. When I am lacking adventure, I’ll purposefully get out of my regular routine, and head off to a new café, new studio or go work at a hotel lounge or pool for the day I haven’t been to as if I was traveling or start my day off in a slightly different manner. If you find that every Saturday you have the same weekend routine, splash it up by deliberately changing what you do. It may involve going out to eat somewhere different or putting your chores on hold while you craft up something new and fun to do. During the week you might decide to set your alarm a little earlier so that you can start your day differently, perhaps with a little walk or reading a book. The little changes that you make to your daily or weekend routine create a sense of novelty and joy.

Now it’s your turn. Take one of these tips and mark down in your calendar when you plan to engage in your first adventure or do something that brings you deep joy that you haven’t done in a while. Then have fun with it and see where the adventure takes you. Report back with your plans and insights by posting a comment.