The Case for Joy: Why How You Spend Your Free Time Matters
Grateful for the kind of moments that start with a plan and end in real connection.
We’re all busy. But are we joyful?
A recent Harvard Business Review article—How the Busiest People Find Joy reminded me that a fulfilling life isn’t just about achievement and meaning. It also requires joy. And it got me thinking.
A Personal Realization
I had just caught up with a former colleague, and like always, we found ourselves happily swapping stories about the trips we have planned. The fun details, the thoughtful touches, the experiences designed to create special memories.
After the call, I noticed how genuinely happy I felt. Then I read the article and it clicked. This is one of the ways I find true joy.
Not just in the trip itself, but in the planning—especially when I’m creating something memorable for others. That kind of joyful anticipation lights me up. And while big trips bring me the most joy, I also find it in the smaller things: planning a get-together, a beautiful walk, or a shared moment that feels intentional and personal. It’s the act of thoughtfully shaping and then looking forward to an experience with others that energizes me.
The Power of Anticipatory Savoring
Anticipatory savoring is the act of mentally enjoying a future positive experience before it happens. It's the happiness we feel simply by looking forward to something. For me, planning a meaningful experience brings joy not just when it happens but in the days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years leading up to it. That anticipation lifts my mood, gives me something to dream about, and keeps me connected to what matters most.
Protecting Your Free Time
It was a powerful reminder. We only get so much free time and how we use it matters. Rest is important, but we also need to be purposeful about investing that time in what truly brings us energy, connection, and joy. Even amid uncertainty or hardship, big or small moments of joy can help to restore energy and meaning.
The article points out that people tend to experience more joy when their leisure time is active—when they’re exploring, creating, or connecting—rather than when they’re passively consuming. So instead of defaulting to endless scrolling or passively observing other people’s lives, choose something that draws you into your own. Something that reminds you you’re living your own story.
Why This Matters For Leaders
For leaders, this isn’t just personal. It’s strategic.
When we’re connected to joy, we lead from a fuller place. We are more energized, grounded, and emotionally available. That presence sharpens our thinking, strengthens our resilience, and helps us connect more authentically with the people we lead.
It also sets the tone. Leaders who actively pursue joy in their own lives model what it looks like to prioritize well-being and give their teams permission to do the same. Supporting others in finding and protecting what brings them joy isn’t a soft skill, it’s culture-shaping leadership.
As the article put it, “your well-being and job engagement will both increase, and you’ll actually get more value out of your work.” Joy isn’t separate from performance. It supports it.
Questions to Connect You With Joy
If you’re not sure what brings you joy, ask yourself:
What’s something I look forward to, even days or weeks in advance?
When do I lose track of time in the best way?
What activities make me feel most alive and energized?
What do I naturally smile or laugh during without effort?
What’s something I enjoy creating for others?
What do I often talk about with genuine energy or enthusiasm?
Where do I feel most relaxed and how could I spend more time there?
What kind of interactions leave me feeling fulfilled?
What's something I've been curious about that I could further explore?
So, what’s one thing you could choose to do this week, not out of obligation, but because it actually brings you joy?