Girls Night #163: How to Experience more Joy in your Life (and Stop Dwelling on Worst-Case Scenarios)
IN THIS PODCAST EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
What to do if you’ve lived through prolonged seasons of hurt or disappointment and find yourself hesitating to celebrate when your circumstances change
Why practicing worst-case scenarios in your mind is not as helpful as it might feel
Why having a heart of celebration is so important and what that actually looks like
Ways you can practice celebration today, even if your circumstances don’t change
(You can also listen right here!👇)
(Or watch the interview right here!👇)
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night!
I’m so excited to be back for Season 15 of the Girls Night podcast — and we’re kicking off this season with a really wonderful episode.
We’re talking about why it’s so important to celebrate the big things (and the little things) in our lives — and how to practically do that!
I love this episode because I always find myself craving delight and whimsy and celebration (and popsicles!) more in the summer than any other time of year.
But this episode is actually so much deeper than just having more parties.
Something I learned in this episode is that joy is one of the most vulnerable things we can ever feel.
It’s WAY less vulnerable to feel disappointment, to imagine worst-case-scenarios, and to rehearse bad things happening. It’s like, if you’re preparing for the worst, it won’t hurt so much if it happens.
Whereas if you really open your arms and your heart to something good, and embrace it, then if it gets taken away, you feel like you’ll be crushed. (Even more so because you didn’t see it coming!)
It’s like naming a puppy you’re not going to get to keep. It feels easier just not to name it.
But actually, it doesn’t work this way. I can’t wait for you to hear why!
Our guest walking us through this incredible topic is my friend Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as an author. She recently wrote a book called, What If It’s Wonderful?: An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate.
Friends, if you’d like to feel more joy and contentment in your life (that’s all of us, right?) this episode is for you. I can’t wait to dive in!
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LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Steph’s book, The Lipstick Gospel (here’s a paperback copy and here’s a free digital download!)
Steph’s prayer journals, Every Single Moment and The Between Places
Nicole’s Book: What If It’s Wonderful?: An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate
Past Girls Night Episode with Nicole: Girls Night #101: How to Navigate Big Life Transitions with Faith
Book Stephanie mentions: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Scripture mentioned:
Luke 1:5-19 (Elizabeth & Zechariah)
Quotes mentioned:
"To celebrate is actually a really bold, vulnerable thing" - Stephanie
"I thought that celebration always came with a catch" - Nicole
"I don't want to miss out on my beautiful, God-given life because I am so busy preparing for the worst" - Nicole
"Joy is the most vulnerable feeling we feel" - Nicole
"It takes intentional practices to retrain our brain and create new neural pathways toward hopefulness, toward delight, and toward joy." - Nicole
"I would define celebration as a rhythm that we practice that helps us experience and cultivate more joy in the life we already have" - Nicole
"Savoring celebrates the ordinary" - Nicole
"This practice of celebration helps you see joy and experience joy more deeply" - Nicole
"Actually expressing the gratitude we feel in our heart doubles the joy for us regardless of what the experience is like for the other person." - Nicole
"Toxic positivity expects joy to cancel pain or ignore it.” - Nicole
"Often celebration looks like remembering" - Nicole
"God's faithfulness is not dependent on your faith. His goodness is not a function of your goodness." - Nicole
"There's not only something to celebrate, but there's value in the celebration" - Stephanie
CONNECT WITH NICOLE:
Facebook // Website // Instagram
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE
WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS!
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