Why Joy Returns When You Stop Living in the Future episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 16, 2026 · 29 MIN

Why Joy Returns When You Stop Living in the Future

from My Happy Ass Life · host Karen Smith

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed, not depressed, just stretched too thin and living everywhere except the present moment?Today, I share honestly about being in a funk and what helped me find my way back. I talk about slowing down and remembering that joy and delight are inseparable. We explore what it means to have a low bar for delight, and how neglecting the things that nourish us can quietly steal our peace. This episode is for anyone who feels scattered, tired, or unsure which direction to go. It’s your chance to return to what rings true in your heart.Episode Highlights[01:00] Being overwhelmed vs. being present[02:00] “Now here” instead of “nowhere”[03:30] A low bar for delight[05:30] Creating space for rest and prayer[07:00] When joy feels squelched by life[08:30] Joy and delight as spiritual practice[11:00] Grief, connection, and being fully seen[15:00] Reflecting what’s inside of us[18:30] Nourishing the soul in hard seasons[22:00] Choosing love, compassion, and kindness[26:00] Radiating joy instead of chasing it[28:30] Closing affirmation and invitation to pauseSpecial Thanks to Our SponsorsBuffalo Rock Pepsihttps://www.buffalorock.comHoliday Beach Mechanicalhttps://holidaybeachmechanical.comShorehouse Furniturehttps://shorehousefurniture.comAmerican Home Shieldhttps://www.ahs.comResources:When the Heart Wakes by Sue Monk KiddLet’s Stay Connected!Follow along @MyHappyAssLife on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and YouTube so you never miss an episode.🎙 Presented by ADF MediaBe sweet, y’all 💖

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 16, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Why Joy Returns When You Stop Living in the Future

0:00 29:32

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of My Happy Ass Life?

This episode is 29 minutes long.

When was this My Happy Ass Life episode published?

This episode was published on February 16, 2026.

Can I download this My Happy Ass Life episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!