The Joyfulicity Blog

Dopamine Nation is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of addiction, pleasure, and the modern struggle to maintain balance in an overstimulated world. Written by psychiatrist Anna Lembke, the book blends clinical insight, patient stories, and neuroscience to explain how the brain’s reward system shapes behavior—and how easily it can be thrown off balance.

A Walk in the Woods is a witty, observant, and often laugh-out-loud account of one man’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Written by travel writer Bill Bryson, the book blends personal memoir, travelogue, and environmental commentary into an entertaining narrative about ambition, nature, and the unpredictable realities of long-distance hiking.

Wild is a raw, introspective memoir that follows Cheryl Strayed’s solo journey hiking more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Written by Cheryl Strayed, the book is as much about emotional survival as it is about physical endurance, tracing a path through grief, self-destruction, and ultimately, healing.

Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes is an energetic, often astonishing memoir that explores the limits of human endurance—both physical and mental. More than just a story about running extreme distances, the book is a reflection on resilience, self-discovery, and what drives someone to push far beyond conventional boundaries.

In our modern world we run awfully fast. In addition to our primary jobs, many of us have "side-gigs." In the pursuit of lofty goals we push ourselves so hard sometimes that we have no days off. Many households are being run by single parents. That's a lot to carry alone. Cell phones are a blessing, but also mean that we are "available" 24/7. Even in downtime we are busily scrolling social media and games. There is immense pressure to keep our bodies and homes magazine worthy

By “normal” I really mean “necessary,” because sadly it probably actually is the norm for people to continue to live with hurts and disappointments, even when they don’t have to. Lasting change is hard, and takes long term determination and commitment, but it’s so worth it to feel the joy of the difference.

BURNOUT!! When you hear that phrase what thoughts and feelings come up for you? Work starting to feel like a grind? Kids and housework seem like a never ending whirlwind of need? Wash, rinse, repeat!!When in this mode we need to hit the pause button on all major decisions, and simply take a day off.