Finding Joy in the Little Things

Ever get an email that feels like it was written exactly for you? That’s how I feel every single time Gemma Stone pops up in my inbox! This week’s message hit different – with three simple but powerful reminders that I knew I couldn’t just read and forget:
 
- Delight in the tiny moments of pleasure
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- Find all the reasons to celebrate
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- Choose joy for no reason at all
 
So I decided to turn these beautiful ideas from screen to real life – and I’m sharing exactly how I did it, including a ready-to-use phone reminder setup you can copy-paste right away!

Here it is:  

- Delight in tiny moments of pleasure: Pause for 10 seconds at least 3 times a day to fully notice something enjoyable – the warmth of your morning hot choco, the sound of birds outside, or someone's genuine smile.

- Find all reasons to celebrate: At the end of each day, jot down one thing you’re grateful for that feels worth acknowledging – even small wins like finishing a task or trying something new.

- Choose joy for no reason at all: Pick one simple, feel-good action to do daily without needing an occasion – hum your favorite song, take a short walk, or text a friend just to say "hi."

📱PHONE REMINDERS SETUP
  
📅 REMINDER 1: DELIGHT IN TINY PLEASURES
 
- Time: 9:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM daily
- Message: "Pause now – find and savor one tiny moment of pleasure (hot choco, breeze, smile)!
 
📅 REMINDER 2: FIND REASONS TO CELEBRATE
 
- Time: 8:00 PM daily
- Message: "Time to celebrate! Jot down one small win or thing you’re grateful for in your notes. 
 
📅 REMINDER 3: CHOOSE JOY FOR NO REASON
 
- Time: 12:00 NN daily
- Message: "Pick joy now! Sing a song, stretch, or send a fun message – no occasion needed 😊
  
📅 REMINDER 4: WEEKLY RECAP
 
- Time: 4:00 PM every Sunday
- Message: Weekly check-in! Look back at your notes – what small moments, wins, and joy choices made this week special? 🤔 Specific question: Which of these moments made you feel most connected to yourself or others, and how can you bring more of that feeling into next week?
 
Pro tip: You can copy-paste these messages directly into your phone's Reminders app or Google Calendar for easy setup!
 
Small reminders can make a huge difference in how we experience our days – and turning them into automatic habits is the secret to keeping that positive energy going. Since setting up these phone alerts, I’ve found myself pausing more, smiling more, and truly celebrating the little things that used to slip by unnoticed.
 
If you're looking for ways to bring more joy into your routine, give these steps a try – all it takes is a few minutes to set up, and you’ll be bringing those beautiful ideas from your inbox straight into your life. Here’s to savoring every moment, celebrating every win, and choosing joy – no reason required!

Here are our family photos from last Saturday at the Manila Philippines Temple – and honestly, this day perfectly brought to life those reminders I shared about savoring moments, celebrating joy, and choosing love! To make it even more special, I was also celebrating my birthday – surrounded by my loving and faithful husband, plus our 4 awesome children who fill every day with life and laughter. Seeing everyone’s smiles and feeling that warm bond made me realize: this is exactly what it means to delight in tiny moments of pleasure, find every reason to celebrate, and choose joy with no need for extra cause. I’m so incredibly grateful to be surrounded by overflowing family love – it’s the best reminder of all that life’s greatest gifts are right here with us. 


I’d love to hear from you too! What’s a recent moment where you celebrated something special (big or small) with the people you love most? Share your stories in the comments below – let’s spread the joy together! 
 

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