World Gratitude Day and Finding Control Through Joy

Today, Sep 21, is World Gratitude Day - which got me thinking of an interview and a book I completed recently.

Last week, I did an interview with a journalist writing an article on what it's like to live with an invisible disability, to help readers understand the experience. One question was "What would you consider the worst thing about living with an invisible disability?"

(I don't love that as a question, because nobody wants to think about the worst part of their experience lol, but I understand the answer could provide perspective to someone unfamiliar with invisible disabilities).

This past weekend, I finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and a line stuck out to me:

"The feeling of control is an essential element of happiness - a better predictor than, say, income. Having a feeling of autonomy, of being able to choose what happens in your life or how you spend your time, is crucial. [...] Getting control of my life was definitely an aspect in my happiness project, and a greater feeling of control gave me a major boost in happiness."

After reading that, it occured to me that I'd say the worst part of living with an invisible disability is the lack of control you can feel over your own body and life.

That there are times when even when you really WANT to do something, you can't - either because of your symptoms, or accessibility barriers, or something that feels out of your control.

And I think that desire for control is why I practice the Daily Yay, and why I feel passionate about helping others see the value in building resilience through finding small moments of joy.

Because finding or creating moments of joy is something you CAN control. It's something you can do for yourself, to help get through the difficult situation you're experiencing. Not despite your struggles, but through them.

So on this World Gratitude Day, I'm grateful for the realization that even when I'm experiencing something I can't control, that I use whatever small amount of control I do have, to find joy or appreciation every day.

And hopefully, that my 629-day streak and I can show others that they can exert their control to find their joy, too. ✨