What Lights You Up?
What lights you up?
What activities fill you with so much joy that you radiate warmth and positivity?
If you find yourself uncertain, you're not alone. Many of us are so busy doing life — chasing what we think we should do to get ahead, to be successful, to have more — that we've simply lost touch with what truly lights us up.
If you're scratching your head and thinking, Yeah… what does light me up? let this be a gentle nudge. An invitation to pause, breathe, and step into a journey of self-discovery… or perhaps re-discovery.
Here are three simple ways to begin reconnecting with what lights you up — starting today:
1. Revisit past passions
Take a quiet stroll down memory lane. What did you love doing as a child? Or as a young adult, before life's responsibilities took hold and you felt you had to become more serious?
Give yourself permission to “try them on” again. Notice what stirs. Does a sense of joy, curiosity, or aliveness arise?
A few years ago, I rediscovered the joy of riding a bike. When I'm on my bike, I feel like a kid again — carefree, present, fully alive. It's pure joy.
What might be waiting for you to rediscover?
2. Practice joy spotting
Joy spotting is simply noticing the little moments throughout your day that bring a smile to your face. These moments hold valuable clues.
I often encourage my clients to keep a joy spotting journal. At the end of each day, pause and reflect: What brought me joy today? Write it down — even the tiniest moments matter.
This practice taught me to find joy in the simplest things: a dog running up with its tail wagging, or standing under a clear night sky and noticing how alive I feel beneath the stars.
When you begin looking for joy, you start seeing it everywhere.
3. Spend intentional time in nature
Immerse yourself in a natural setting and allow yourself to fully arrive. When you slow down and become present, nature has a gentle way of revealing insights about who you are and what your heart longs for.
Six years ago, my business coach challenged me to spend time in nature every day for 30 days. It was a game changer. In those quiet moments outdoors, I learned how to truly be present. And through presence, I found it easier to tune into what lights me up.
It turns out, being in nature itself brings me tremendous joy.
If you feel drawn to try something similar, I'd love to invite you to join my free 30-Day Nature Challenge — a simple and beautiful way to guide you into nature, and ultimately back into yourself.
Learn more about the challenge here.
In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes:
“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
— Howard Thurman
So, Joyful Journeyer…
what lights you up?
If you feel called, take one small step today — one moment, one activity, one spark — and give it your attention. Notice how it feels. Sometimes the tiniest flicker of joy can gently light the way toward a life more fully alive.
With love and gratitude,
Anita
