Being a college student means our lives are filled with tests, jobs, homework, extracurriculars, and obligations that can add stress and anxiety to our lives. Being a human means that life can throw the unexpected at us and we have to deal with the consequences. Life can be really hard, but there are so many ways that we can find joy and peace when we are feeling like this. Sometimes we can get caught in the monotony of life, but it’s necessary to remind ourselves of the ways in which life can be beautiful.
Here are 5 ways Cal Poly students find joy in their day to day lives and things they turn to when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
“I find joy by having intentional conversations with friends, being outside in nature, being active, and taking time to be alone…These times allow me to be reenergized and filled up so that I can spend time with people and bring joy to their lives as well.”
“I would say, to find joy when I am sad or stressed I lean on the friends and loved ones around me…For me, I need things to do on my own that bring me joy, but the support and encouragement and love you can get from leaning on supporters, I think, is just as valuable as doing things that bring you joy.”
“The way I find my joy is in Christ…There is such beauty in nature and in the uniqueness of every person I know, and it all reminds me of how good He is….Through nature and people, I am able to remember what a gift it is to be alive and breathing in such a beautiful place and what a gift it is to be loved by such incredible people. This is what brings me joy when it feels like it’s all becoming too much”
“When I’m feeling stressed, the best thing for me is usually music! I’m in choir and a capella, so I’m really fortunate to be able to have a couple hours a week where I can put all the stress of my life aside and just focus on making beautiful sounds with beautiful people. There’s something really calming about creating art with others in such a connected and intimate way.”
“I’ll call my mom, chat with a friend, have an emergency dance party in my room, or paint. I find peace in getting outside of my head. I find joy in routine and I find joy in spontaneity. I try to listen to podcasts or read or take the pretty ways on my walks to classes. I try to surround myself with people who keep me grounded and uplifted. And I try to eat a lot of chocolate.”
We hope these reflections of Cal Poly students inspire you to think about what brings you joy, and to act on it. The more you look for your joy and reflect on your joy, the more readily it appears.