Finding Everyday “Glimmers of Joy”

Joy is not a one-size-fits-all experience. For some, it’s the pleasure of a shared belly laugh with a friend. For others, it’s the awe and marvel of a stunning sunset.

Sometimes joy is a show-stopper, impossible to ignore; but often, it is tucked into tiny moments and easy to overlook.

“I look for ‘glimmers’ of joy in an otherwise stressful or unremarkable day: a delicious latte at exactly the right temperature, the smell of a new book, or the sound of birdsong when I step outside to grab the mail,” writes Haley, an ADDitude reader in Texas. “They are usually tiny things that you might miss if you aren’t paying attention, but these ‘glimmers’ add up and make a difference in how I perceive my day.”

At times, these glimmers elude those with ADHD, buried under the stress and worry of daily life. As one ADDitude reader explains: “I’m the captain of multiple ships and have a hard time finding joy in my life.”

When delight is hard to come by, it helps to turn to others for inspiration. As the saying goes: Just as sorrow shared is halved, joy shared is doubled.

So, we asked ADDitude readers: when life’s demands pile up, what brings a smile to your face? Amidst the darkness, where do you find your glimmers of joy?

“Walking barefoot at dusk to ground myself in the cool grass.” — Jolene, Australia

“I live by a crystal clear lake that I can walk to. I wake up in the mountains to clean fresh air.” — Teri, California

“Country roads filled with wildflowers in spring.” — Patricia, Texas

[Read: Never Underestimate the Healing Power of Mother Nature]

“I go to the beach with the dog and sit in the boot with a flask of tea watching the waves.” — An ADDitude Reader

“When one of my many orchids bloom. It’s like Christmas in July.” — Lezlie, Florida

“Cold-water swimming in our local river — great for mental health and the cold shock resets my brain.” — Tim

“When a surprise ray of sunshine hits my face. It's an instant reminder to stop and consider: Maybe things aren't as complicated as it feels.” — FJ, Canada

“I grow things, nearly always from seed. Tomatoes, cucumbers, chilis, potatoes, lemons, apples, peaches, peas, beans, flowers, herbs.” — Charity, United Kingdom

“Mountain biking.” — Kellie, Australia

“One time I found a little strawberry plant growing through the cracks in the pavement, outside my house. I wrote a poem, it reminded me of myself, the struggles, but finding a way through.” — Sam

“Argentine Tango.” — Michael, Florida

“Getting Wordle in 2 guesses!” — Gordon, Canada

“Mushroom photography.” — Michelle, Pennsylvania

“I have come to love genealogy. Seeing some of the people in my family tree and the lives they have lived makes me wonder if they had ADHD, too — so adventurous and interesting.” —An ADDitude Reader

 “Treasure hunting in thrift stores.” — Lindsey, Illinois

“Pickleball!” — Lorna, New York

“The time I spend meditating or journaling has become the highlight of my day. It actually gets me out of bed.” — Andrea, Virginia

“My VR fishing game on Oculus.” — Patricia, Illinois

“Singing in a choir.” — Gary, Michigan

“Tackling a 400-page novel in three days.” — Christine, Canada

“Donating the quilts I make to Project Linus. When the grocery store has Diet Coke on sale.” — Kim, Arizona

“Playing football.” — An ADDitude reader

“Spending time with my 22-year-old ADHD daughter, who is a beautiful person from the inside out.” — Mindy, Connecticut

“Recently my aunt and I reconnected by phone after many years of not staying in touch. My happy place is hearing her say ‘Hi, my love, how are you?’ when I am depressed.” — LMC

“When I sit back and relax and reflect, I think about how much I love my stinkin’ kids and why I work so tirelessly to battle the never-ending chores and obligations of being an ADHD single mom to ADHD boys.” — Amber, Wisconsin

“Taking photos of my kids when I witness a cute moment to capture the joy in them when they don't know I'm watching.” — Sam

“Hanging out with my 11-year-old daughter. Her perspective, curiosity, and sunny disposition is infectious.” — Jim, Texas

“Laughter! I have to find something to laugh about and then it tends to lift the weight of the world that sometimes sits firmly on my shoulders.” — Angelica, Sweden

“Loud music, windows down, sunroof open, and open road in front of me!” — Christina, Louisiana

“Loud music and dancing around at home.” — MC

“I have a ‘dopamine playlist’ that nearly always gets me out of a funk or general ADHD paralysis. Singing in the car is one of life’s great joys!” — Kat

“If I walk the dogs on the beach every morning and have a chat with a friend, it starts my day right.” — Karen

“In the half hour leading up to sunset, I set everything down and go outside to visit with my neighborhood squirrel friends.” — Cat, Texas

“My dog, Boo, is always present, attentive, loving and loyal; he just wants to be with me, exactly as I am.” — Stephen, California

“I ask one of my kids to give one of the pets what we call ‘a heart-to-heart squish’ — basically a big ol’ cuddle, one they get from me when they are down. It’s an instant heart-warmer because it’s pure joy for them.” — Helynna, Australia

“My dog, a high energy Lakeland Terrier, makes me smile. Given the chance, he gets up to all sorts of mischief.” — Cliff

“My cat makes me smile a lot in the little things she does.” — An ADDitude Reader

“Training my 3-year-old Parson Russell Terrier, who struggles to focus and can easily go over threshold in the presence of lots of stimulation (sound familiar?). Marty, my little sidekick and partner in crime, teaches me patience, kindness, empathy, understanding and to celebrate the little wins.” — Gavin, Scotland

“A bath when I wear a tiara and drink tea from a china cup.” — Sam

“Coffee made in my own very specific way, with a video game in the morning while I wait for my kid to wake up and for my stimulant to kick in. That moment of peace and quiet doing my favorite things is what gets me out of bed in the mornings and has me looking forward to the next day, at least a little bit.” — Hyrum, Utah

“Cups of tea are my go-to. My mother used tea as a soothing medicine and I have inherited the practice.” — Jolene, Australia

“​​I leaned into dopamine decor hard. I have multiple plants, and seeing the art that I've purchased or created has really helped me to stay positive when I see it.” — Meg, North Carolina

“Watching Instagram clips of people with ADHD making fun of themselves or giving good advice to cope.” — Jill, Maryland

“No matter how busy life gets, I make going to church on Sundays a priority. It helps me reset each week. My faith keeps me grounded and at peace, and I also enjoy the sense of community.” — Esther

“I teach autistic children, and I find my moments of happiness every day when I give them a star and see the joy in their eyes.”— Jean, India

“Doing volunteer work with friends at a local scout camp in the forest.” — Karl, Canada

“I play bridge three times a week and enjoy socializing.” — Priscilla, Massachusetts

“When I listen to a podcast and hear that I'm not the only one.” — Lane, North Carolina

Finding Joy: Next Steps

• Read: "Happily Neurodivergent — at Last"
• Read: Slow Down and Live Stress-Free
• Read: ADHD and the Power of Positive Thinking
• Free Resource: Make Mindfulness Work for You