Forget mindfulness – yes, really! By making some tweaks to your surroundings, you can create a happier, healthier life
Joy. That delicious feeling of pure pleasure that lifts us out of the humdrum of daily life. If only we could have a little more of that. If only it wasn’t so fleeting, so unpredictable. What if we could wave a magic wand and tap into that exuberant vitality whenever we fancied?
According to Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of a brilliant new book, Joyful, that’s exactly what we can do. We don’t need to wait for joy to bubble up from within. Nor do we need to spend years cultivating a particular technique for inner happiness. Instead, we can design our lives to be more joyful.
After a year canvassing colleagues, friends and people on the street in 16 different countries, Fetell Lee discovered certain aesthetics are guaranteed to lift the spirits. So here’s how to make your environment more delightful…
OUR EXPERT
INGRID FETELL LEE is the author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness (Little, Brown Spark). A designer by profession, Fetell Lee was surprised when someone commented that her creations were joyful. “We’ve been taught to think that joy comes from within. But what if we could create that feeling through the things that surround us?”
1 LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks