Chronically Joyful

I’d just recently shared a blog post about the constant need to feel productive (read that here); there were some bits of advice, musings and the like, but there are still some of us who can’t seem to just rest. 

Enter the idea that we can nourish our inner selves at the same time we remain productive – come again?! Yes, my friends, this is absolutely possible, it ultimately just comes down to taking a few moments to go inward to figure out exactly how to do this. 

Finding your inner “why”

As prolific as this sounds, it really isn’t too hard to figure out! What is that one thing you coveted as a child? Or as I like to say, what is something that just sets your soul on fire? For me, in childhood, my truest of true passions lay in making music. I continued to sing in choir, jazz choirs, a cappella groups, participate in concert bands and wind ensembles, play small roles in musicals, etc. all the way up until 2022. 

In a similar vein, I’ve always loved photography, sketching, and basically just creating some type of art. I’d label myself as a “creative” type; I always saw this as an issue because we’re educated to believe this path yields very little (monetary) reward. So, with my Business Admin degree, I pursued the corporate life path and slowly over time, stopped pursuing any creative hobbies in my spare time altogether. 

In tandem with a lot of other factors (particularly going untreated for my very angry MS for over a year), I entered a very dark place toward the end of 2024. I halted the pursuit of my personal growth and developing my passion points entirely. Now, in the beginning of 2025, I feel as though I am cusping on the most life altering experience to date – mainly due to rediscovering my truest loves this life has to offer. 

For me, I can only grow by taking risks, saying “yes” to experiences that scare me, and putting myself out there. I’ve picked up photography again, elected to do a very public art project very outside of my comfort zone, and am exploring the deepest form of my own spirituality. I can’t say that I have ever felt happier or more aligned than I do right in this moment. So sure, I enjoy the creative side of life, but what is my inner “why?” 

I feel called to pour as much of my heart, soul, and love into this world as I possibly can, without a single moment of hesitation, doubt, or resistance. 

It really doesn’t sound like much, but since coming to this realization I’ve not only reaped the fruits of my labors at my corporate job, but have experienced deeper connections in important relationships, and haven’t experienced a single MS symptom in over a month. Chalk it up to the Ocrevus if you want, but I’m truly flying high! 

So how does this make me more productive when I have no energy?

When you figure out the things you truly love, 

DO THEM

Pull yourself out of the pattern I was living in where I made every excuse in the book not to pursue the things I wanted to do because I had “more important” things to do. 

Friends, vacuuming is not going to change your life. Yes, it will clean your space and ultimately bring you joy, however, it will not bring the same sense of accomplishment or satisfaction that your simple hobbies can. You may be sitting there trying to rationalize another argument with me here along the lines of, 

“But, Cat, how am I supposed to resist the urge to clean the bathrooms when they need to be cleaned, and choose to knit on the sofa instead?”

The answer is simple: because whatever it is you end up knitting will be your tangible result and it is an accomplishment you can physically hold in your hands. It was made with love and well worth the energy you expended to make it! You didn’t choose to just “sit and do nothing” (which, I have done far too many times as well) – you chose to pour your energy into something you really love to do, hence filling your cup. 

Even beyond creating something tangible, if you are a flutist and you choose to spend an hour practicing, that is beautiful music that you put out into the world. If you’re a runner (and do have the energy), then go run your heart out and feel amazing after you’re done. Big reader? Give your brain the workout it deserves and just sit and bask in the glory of those gentle moments you spend with the book in your hands. 

At the end of the day, the only wrong answer in this equation is just to tell yourself that you can’t. No matter what it is that ignites your heart, there is no wrong choice. If it brings light into your eyes and makes your heart beat just a tick faster, then believe wholly with your entire being that this choice is undeniably right. 

To conclude this latest blog, dear readers, I challenge you to do the activity you’ve constantly put off in favor of chores. Extra bonus points if you choose to share the end result with the rest of the world to brighten our days too, but that is your choice to make. 

Now, go do the thing!