We started Sprinkle because we wanted a new challenge and a business we could create and run together as a family. After having Auben we were faced with different challenges and we struggled to get the same joy out of teaching as we once did as we wanted to pour our love and time into our little man which led to feeling burnt out. We knew we wanted our brand to focus on joy and positivity and we also knew that just selling joyful clothing wasn't enough. If we were feeling burnt our and feeling like we didn't have a moment to sit and 'smell the roses' then how do other parents feel?
After doing a little bit of research we found a blog post which spoke about how practicing gratitude each day could boost you own joy and mental health. It stated that after fifteen days of taking the time to talk/journal three things that you were grateful for you in turn would feel happier. We decided to try it and documented our three things that made us happy each day on our instagram page @sprinklethatjoy. After fifteen days we did indeed feel happier but more so it taught us that we needed to focus more on things that did give us joy. The first few days we found really hard. We found that we spent so much of our time racing from one thing to the other that we had forgotten to capture and enjoy the moments as they were happening that made us happy. Instead we simply moved on. It gradually became easier but it's still a practice for sure! Here are our top three learnings from our fifteen days!
1. When you are in a joyful moment during your day, stop and take note of it. What is this moment? How do you feel? Why do you feel this way?
2. Do more things that give you joy! Don't wait for others to do it for you!
3. Happiness doesn't have to come from big gestures or a big change in routine. Something as a small as your child's smile can be enough to fill your cup. It's taking the time to allow it to!
After our fifteen days and reflecting on our three things in our stories. We decided to carry on! Some of our followers have told us that they are now doing this each night and some with their children so we have created a little download which you can do with your children with lots of colouring in opportunities. We have also created a story template for you to be able to use on Facebook or Instagram!
We would love to hear what makes you or your child happy so please share with us over on our social pages! @sprinklethatjoy on Instagram and Facebook.
For a more adult version, here is a story template which you could use and share with us over on facebook or instagram!
