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Elizabeth Popish had a singular objective in mind when writing "Expanded Joy" she wanted to feel joyful again, regardless of any other circumstances in her life. Simply put, she wanted to master her own life. After brainstorming general areas of optimal living, she eventually settled on seven categories: energetic health, authentic happiness, mental engagement, stress reduction, social connections, creative expression, and altruism.
All strategies within this book are research-based with a preponderance of data proving their effectiveness by leaders in the various fields. They were designed for individual use or with others in a group setting, in much the same way as a book club. Each week brings a fresh new challenge, based on one of the above categories, where the reader can find exciting ways to expand his or her joy.
Review Quotes
1.
The book is well-crafted, freshly written, and explains its ideas in a logical, straightforward way, even when tackling complex psychology concepts. Along the way, the author covers a broad landscape of wellness strategies. She encourages solitude and social connection, planning and spontaneity, laughter and spirituality all culminating in a dialectical approach that s easy to follow.
A fun, successful collection of concepts, thoughts, and strategies about maintaining joy and living creatively. "Kirkus Reviews"
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2.
Debut author and educational administrator Popish offers innovative springboards, exercises, and tools for a more inspired life.
The author writes that she set out to find a book that could guide her to a passion-filled existence. Her failure to find it served as a catalyst toward success, however, as she began to pen this book. The result is a vibrant collection of strategies that can be used personally, as part of a group, or shared with family in order to set a daily tone. Within these pages, Popish offers fresh ideas about writing, practicing gratitude, and going on adventures to spice up one s daily life and imbue one s free time with meaning. The book starts out with practical habits that promise to lead to calmness and more fulfillment. For instance, the author begins by asserting the importance of sleep, explaining the science behind REM cycles and the regeneration that happens overnight. She then offers a list of strategies to make one s sleep deeper and more meaningful, such as darkening a room, changing bedding or pillows, taking cleansing breaths, and listening to soothing music. Although these tips may seem obvious, they re often forgotten in busy lifestyles. Next, she covers personal relationships, suggesting ways to find joy by focusing on strong social connections. Indeed, much of the book focuses on methods for creating joyful environments, such as by making inspiration boards using fabric samples, quotes, and photographs or undertaking creative collage. Popish also calls upon positive psychology concepts, pointing to data-backed studies on the importance of planned spontaneity, savoring experiences, and varying one s joys to avoid habituation and a decline of stimulation. The book is well-crafted, freshly written, and explains its ideas in a logical, straightforward way, even when tackling complex psychology concepts. Along the way, the author covers a broad landscape of wellness strategies. She encourages solitude and social connection, planning and spontaneity, laughter and spirituality all culminating in a dialectical approach that s easy to follow.
A fun, successful collection of concepts, thoughts, and strategies about maintaining joy and living creatively."
