Remember when we realized that technology had created FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? We saw our friends’ posts and didn’t want to miss a thing! Thankfully, FOMO evolved into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) and we refocused our joy on staying home, watching Netflix, and baking sourdough. Yet, there are other “as-the-result-of-technology” behaviors that are trending like, “bedrotting” — staying in bed to scroll and snack, “kidulting” — when adults embrace childlike, joyful activities, and “doomscrolling” — scrolling through social media so long that your mood reflects bad things that are happening in the world.
But there’s good news for doomscrollers! Similar to the shift from FOMO to JOMO, a new trend called joyscrolling is gaining momentum (and we’re here for it!). Joyscrolling is the intentional choice to focus on what brings us joy when we scroll, versus concentrating on the gloom and doom in the world. What a welcome development!
Just like how we can change who we follow on social media to curate positive content, we can nurture and facilitate joy in our lives by attending to and acknowledging our surroundings and the environments we find ourselves in. That’s why we’re inviting you to go on a joy journey to discover the 10 Aesthetics of Joy!
Start by watching “Design Hack: 10 Joy-Inducing Aesthetics You Should Know,” as Ingrid Fetell Lee, founder of The Aesthetics of Joy, explains the sensorial patterns that instigate joy, and even why objects from our childhood like Hula-Hoops, bubbles, balloons, bouncy balls, carousels, and merry-go-rounds are all circular. Interesting!
After watching, apply what you’ve learned about the aesthetics of joy to your classroom. Take the “What Is Your Classroom Aesthetic?” quiz to decide what type of classroom works best for you!
The research proves our surroundings have a profound influence on our mood. As you watch the 10 Joy-Inducing Aesthetics video or take the What is Your Classroom Aesthetic quiz, reflect on what you discover.
As you journey towards more joy-finding in your life and classroom, consider how your surroundings can spark joy in your life! In Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she encourages us to ask about the abundance of things in our lives and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Take inventory of your environment to ensure it does! Make a list of the places and people that spark joy for you.
We hope this exploration inspires you to actively seek out and cultivate joy in your life. Remember, it’s not necessarily about big moments, but the small, intentional choices you make every day to fill your life, and your classroom, with things that truly spark joy.
Looking for more ways to spark joy? Fast Track Course 5429: Sparking Joy, Creativity, and Belonging in the Classroom and Beyond will equip you with what you need to weave joy into the fabric of your teaching, creating a life with meaning for yourself and your students. Ignite your own joyful spark and create a lasting blaze of positive change!
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a former parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture, Wellness, and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content, and is an enthusiastic advocate for play and time outdoors as the best teaching tools.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!
