How to Plan Your Joy
This clip with Michelle Obama has been living rent-free in my mind lately: “You have to PLAN your joy.”
We don’t teach that. We teach how to plan our work. Deadlines, milestones, projects — those get calendars, reminders, and mental bandwidth. But joy? Most of us wait for it to magically appear. And if you’ve been thoughtful in planning your joy, you know it is coming — even on dark, overwhelming days.
Joy doesn’t just happen. You make space for it.
What Planning Joy Looks Like
Planning joy isn’t a to-do list or a self-improvement project. It’s creating tiny, intentional, playful spaces in your days that restore energy, spark creativity, and remind your nervous system that life can feel alive again. It’s an invitation to notice what makes your heart light, your body energized, and your mind curious — and then to intentionally build more of that into your days.
Here’s how I think about it:
Schedule It
Put joy on your calendar like a meeting you can’t miss. Even five minutes counts. Maybe it’s a short walk, a dance break, or a silly story session with a cup of coffee. Treat it like a non-negotiable appointment.
Make It Easy
Remove friction. Pack the bag, set out your shoes, or pre-book the ticket. When joy is effortless to start, you’re more likely to actually show up for it.
Stack It
Pair joy with habits you already do. Walk after coffee. Dance after work. Tell a joke before bedtime. Linking play to existing routines creates a natural rhythm.
Protect It
Say no to things that drain your time or energy. Boundaries aren’t just self-care; they’re joy-care. Even one small “no” protects space for micro-play moments that recharge your nervous system.
Repeat
Joy is maintenance, not a reward. It’s not something you earn after the tasks are done — it’s what keeps you going through the tasks. Build it weekly, daily, even hourly if you can.
Tiny Practices to Support Your Joy Plan
Start With Micro-Play Moments
I look at my week and ask: where could I insert tiny sparks of play?
A 2-minute dance in the kitchen
Silly story-making with everyday objects
A one-minute “experiment” in curiosity — noticing things I usually overlook
These aren’t big projects. They’re micro-plays that reset my energy and remind me that life doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful.
Pick Your Play Anchors
These are recurring reminders to show up for joy. Mine are:
Monday morning coffee dance
Midweek doodle break
Friday “gratitude note” to myself
Anchors create consistency without pressure. Even on weeks that feel overwhelming, my play anchors are waiting, ready to remind me that joy is not optional.
Reflect, Don’t Fix
Instead of asking “What should I accomplish?” I ask:
“What moments made me feel alive last year?”
“Where did I feel drained, and how could play have shifted that?”
Reflection is a gentle compass. It shows patterns and highlights opportunities for joy without guilt or self-criticism.
Layer in the Senses
Joy is often triggered by the small things we notice:
The warmth of sunlight on your hands
The sound of laughter
A favorite scent or texture
When planning joy, I think about how I want to feel in each week and layer in sensory cues that support it. Tiny reminders scattered throughout the day turn ordinary moments into micro-happiness hubs.
Invite Connection
Play and joy are amplified when shared. Even minimal social interaction can make a huge difference:
A 5-minute call with a friend
A quick story swap with a coworker
Sending a playful note to someone who inspires you
These small moments remind us that joy isn’t just personal — it’s relational, contagious, and regenerative.
Why Planning Joy Matters
Most of us wait for joy to appear — a weekend, a vacation, a holiday. But joy is a practice, not a destination. By planning it intentionally:
You reclaim your energy
You train your nervous system to notice delight
You build a life that feels alive, even amid responsibilities
Guided Support
Inside Camp Playstate, members explore playful intention-setting as part of seasonal resets:
Evergreen access to the 6-week Reset program
Guided prompts for micro-play, weekly reflections, and joyful experiments
Seasonal Reset cohorts to try playful intentions in community
Monthly workshops, guest speakers, and challenges to reinforce practice
Doors open January 7.
Join the waitlist to start planning joy, reclaim energy, and make the new year feel alive — one playful intention at a time.
