In the last post, I shared the first of a series of questions my leader sent to our team at the beginning of the year to support self-reflection and preparing for the new year. Here is the next question from that list:
When did you feel the most joyful and carefree?
As I thought about this question, it ties to an area I’m working on – self-care. When I intentionally (and at times unintentionally) make the time for self-care, it brings joy and a carefree sense of living. For leaders, self-care can be the key element in avoiding burnout, increasing engagement in the workplace, and bringing more support to their teams (MacArthur, 2024).
What does self-care look like for me? One example is when I am around music. I have a very eclectic taste in music and while I have favorite genres, there are individual songs that I like in every area of music. Sometimes, it helps me relax. Other times, it helps me let my frustrations out. The emotional pull of music is strong within me whether I am listening, singing, dancing, or discovering how it connects to themes within TV shows and movies. If you were to look at my Spotify playlists, you would see that I have ones set up for different reasons and will alternate between them depending on my mood or if I’m looking to relax or get energized.
Another example of self-care in my life is the gratitude journals I’ve mentioned in a past post. Reflecting on things, people, and experiences that I am grateful for brings joy and the ability to center my energy on the positive. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, feel free to review my December 2025 post for more details.
Reading has also returned in my life as a form of self-care. I recently started my fourth book of 2026 and have already experienced a mix of fiction and non-fiction writings this year. So far I’ve entered the world of a socially awkward woman navigating through personal and professional life, an author’s commentary and viewpoint of the 1990s, the start of a fantasy book series from a new author and now am learning the perspectives on how introverts like me navigate through a world that focuses more on extroverted ways of being. I’m looking forward to gaining more insights and sharing a summary of all the books I finish this year in a future post.
Connecting with others is also a form of self-care that brings me joy. As an introvert, large gatherings are not my first choice. At networking events, I am able to find opportunities to have either one-on-one or small group conversations that often bring new insights and new connections that I would never have had if I decided to steer clear of those events. Some people I’ve met have become key partners at my company, while others are connections from other industries that bring fresh perspectives on the field that I work in. Even in smaller settings, maintaining connections inside the workplace is a key factor in avoiding isolation, can lead to being more engaged at work and brings an increased commitment on both team and organizational levels (Rutgers article). At the same time, individual connections that I have through mentoring relationships and those between close family and friends also bring joy and reduce worries and anxious feelings.
What things make you joyful and carefree? Share in the comments!
The Secret Sauce 