Finding Joy in the Everyday: Lessons from Joyful, by Ingrid Fetell Lee
By Helen Patterson
At Life Works Well, we believe that a heart-centered culture is central to thriving workplaces. But what if the path to greater well-being, creativity, and connection wasn't just internal—but also all around us? That’s the delightful premise of Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness.
Lee, a designer and TED speaker, explores how the physical world—colour, shape, texture, and space—can profoundly impact our emotional well-being. Joyful isn’t just a feel-good read; it’s a powerful reminder that joy can be designed into our environments. And when we bring joy into our spaces, it ripples into how we lead, work, and connect.
Key Takeaways from Joyful:
1. Joy Is Tangible
Unlike happiness, which is often seen as elusive or long-term, joy is immediate and sensory. Think balloons, confetti, a burst of laughter, or a vibrant splash of colour. Joy lives in the present moment—and it’s sparked by what we see, hear, touch, and experience.
2. Aesthetics Matter (and They’re Not Just Superficial!)
Lee introduces us to the concept of aesthetics of joy: elements like abundance, harmony, energy, surprise, and magic. These are not frivolous; they are scientifically linked to psychological and physical wellbeing. When we dismiss beauty or playfulness as "extra," we miss out on sources of genuine uplift.
3. Colour Is Power
Bright colours—especially warm hues like yellow, orange, and pink—are repeatedly shown to boost mood and foster a sense of vitality. This hit home for us, as our Life Works Well brand embraces vibrant teal and orange. They’re not just pretty—they’re joyful.
4. Joy Belongs at Work, Too
This book is a quiet rebellion against sterile, grey workspaces and buttoned-up professionalism that stifles spirit. What if our offices invited more play, colour, and light? What if joy was part of workplace design and culture, not just wellness programs?
5. Small Shifts, Big Impact
From a colourful pair of socks to a communal wall of sticky notes full of gratitude, joy doesn't need to be grand. Lee encourages us to look for joyful interventions—little nudges that change how we feel and behave. The more we practice noticing and creating joy, the more it grows.
Joyful Leadership & Mentoring
As someone who champions mentor moments and human-centered leadership, I was especially struck by how Joyful challenges us to be joy amplifiers. Whether you're mentoring someone over coffee or leading a team meeting, joy can be part of the experience. A welcoming smile, a colourful notebook, or a ritual of celebration—these cues may seem small, but they leave lasting emotional imprints.
In our work, creating cultures that value joy is a powerful form of emotional leadership. It's also a diversity and inclusion strategy—because joyful environments invite belonging.
This book is a gentle revolution. It invites us to stop waiting for joy to arrive and instead become architects of joy ourselves. What we surround ourselves with—at home, in community, and at work—matters. It's not indulgent. It's essential.
Here’s what some of our with heart book circle participants had to say:
“I loved the part that said color is energy made visible. It is true that color can cheer us up and make us feel more vibrant and alive.”
“The joyful toolkit and resources at the end were also very valuable. And I enjoyed our discussion about what brings each of us joy, and how we can bring that to our work.”
“The book was not what I expected. I loved how it focused on our surroundings and environment in a unique perspective.”
“I enjoyed seeing the Life Works Well posts about joy on instagram as well. I’d do a joy challenge in the future if offered.”
“A wonderful discussion to remind us we can find joy in the everyday moments as well.”
So here's an invitation: Let’s sprinkle joy like confetti. Let’s redesign our spaces and moments—at work, at home, and in our hearts—to spark lightness, laughter, and connection.
Because when life works joyfully, life works well.