Catherine Drea: Sparking Joy

There’s a whole influencer movement called Sparking Joy, which was first pioneered by Marie Kondo. If there was ever a time for practicing a small bit of joy-seeking surely it is now.

Marie’s method is simple. Instead of ranting, moaning and finding fault with everything, we are invited instead to choose to find joy in the small, everyday moments and savour them. 

Joy is not something that simply lands into your life; joy, she says, is something that you actively choose.

I keep reminding myself of this concept of choosing joy. It’s hard to remember these days as we are all under a cloud of despair at world events. Today, as I walked around the place chatting to people, there was plenty of doom and gloom in the air.

So I listened to what people were randomly chatting to me about and, believe it or not, every one of them was completely unconsciously trying to find ways to spark joy in their day. 

“I’ll have to put you into my column!” I told them. Anonymously, of course!

The first joyful act of my day was to head to the Japanese Garden in Tramore with a dear friend. Dedicated to the life of Lafcadio Hearn, this is a glorious place to reflect. Patrick Lafcadio himself said that he was committed to “the worship of the Odd, the Queer, the Strange, the Exotic, the Monstrous.” Perfect for sparking joy while appreciating our unique and precious individuality!

Here myself and my pal sneaked a peek at the new building. It is going to be stunning and uplifting. While we were oohing and aahing, two women having coffee struck up a conversation. One in particular began to describe how she had dedicated a room in her house to becoming a zen space for retreating to after the children and grandchildren had used it for many years as a gathering place. Her current project of clearing and placing plants and herself in that room had Japanese philosophy written all over it.

Maria Kondo’s early inspiration was a Japanese book called “The art of discarding”. In a world too full of stuff, decluttering became her trademark brand. Basically focussing on the meaning of things rather than aiming for outward perfection is at the heart of this philosophy. A room of one’s own to read and relax in would surely spark joy for anyone.

Moving on to meeting some other friends that day, I listened to the story of three women meeting up to share a very special big birthday year. The Ringleader had a mad idea. What if a spa evening with luminous pink tracksuits, facials and celebratory paraphernalia could add a bit more playfulness to the outing. So instead of a stuffy dinner out, the trio had a bonkers evening screaming with laughter and making videos of their hilarity. Oh wow, go for it you wonderful, giddy, playful 70-year-olds. Joy and more joy!

Walking back on the Doneraile admiring the light, the colour, the Great Beach, again I thought, thank goodness we live in a quite peaceful backwater. To have another day. To spend it with friends and friendly strangers. To walk on the sand. Pure joy!

Then to cap it all I got to spend time with a two-year-old who treats me like a playmate and involves me in her games. A giraffe and a Miss Rachel doll were put under my dress and told to go asleep there. Meanwhile, she went out of the room saying “Goodbye, see you later.” Then she simply came back and woke up the pair saying “I’m back!” This dance of creative playing was simply repeated over and over again.

It struck me that this is indeed the essence of the game of life. One minute I am here. Then I am not here. Life is short. Make it a good life, in as much as you can. But without doubt wake yourself up and enjoy the good times.

To close the day I saw a post saying that a great man about Waterford, Ollie Breslin, is about to retire. My first reaction, of course, is that he never, ever will retire from being himself! A unique man responsible for so much joy, dedication, craic, creativity and hope.

I first bumped into Ollie in Haricots in the 1980s. He certainly sparked joy for many of us who worked with him and he continued to play and make space for young people for 40 years at Waterford Youth Arts. Joy, joy and more joy. 

Marie Kondo understood the Japanese way. Her home tidying method is what she is most famous for. She suggests holding an item and asking the question, does this item spark joy? Do you hold it close to your heart and think, I could never part with this. Or is it a neutral meh feeling? If it doesn’t spark joy then it’s time to discard!

Some things we can’t change or discard. These days are challenging. I see it in everyone I know. So grasp beauty and the fleeting moments of joy. Count them, revel in them, write them down, share them, photograph them.

Even a two-year-old knows, it's a very short journey from hello to goodbye.