Core values act as a GPS system for our life, supporting our decision-making process, and allowing us to distinguish wrong from right.

Previously I have talked about my values of Authenticity, Kindness, Integrity, Growth and more recently of Autonomy, this time I am evoking my sixth and last value: Joie de Vivre, a French phrase meaning ‘Joy’.

I mention it last, and as I write this, I realise that it is probably also the value that is the least and last satisfied in my current life as it takes more effort.

Most would say that you can’t force fun and that you should not have to make an effort to have joy in your life…

I disagree.

When life is busy (and with a part-time job, a business, a house to run, a partner, 3 kids and 2 cats, it’s pretty much all the time!), the first thing that tend to drop off the list is leisure, relaxation and having fun. It’s OK for a while, until it isn’t any more, and I tend to resent it and feel a real dissonance.

So, unlike some others of my values that seem to be more impacted by others’ actions, this one is for me to focus and work on. It takes a bit of planning and prioritising, but it is so important for my wellbeing that I make a conscious effort to inject some fun in my life and it even has a special place on my selfcare list.

What about you:
• What are you core values, what’s the compass in your life?
• How does this translate in your actions or decisions?
• When you feel some discomfort, are you able to identify where the dissonance comes from?

If this resonates with you and you’d like to dig deeper, reach out to do some value work with me.