Reclaiming Your Right to Delight!

Sip of the Week: In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amy Kenny shares how choosing joy as a disabled woman disrupts societal expectations and becomes an act of resistance. As she explains, "Joy is really disruptive. It disrupts expectations especially that folks have of being a disabled woman." But this insight extends beyond disability - women across all identities are often expected to sacrifice joy for others' comfort. Amy challenges us to reconsider our relationship with "guilty pleasures" (spoiler: there should be no guilt!) and to recognize that joy is an internal, enduring state of contentment distinct from fleeting happiness. Her daily practice of naming something specific she's grateful for within the past 24 hours creates a foundation for cultivating authentic joy that doesn't depend on external circumstances. Listen now!

Let it Brew: In a world that often expects women—particularly disabled women—to exist in states of tragedy or struggle, choosing joy becomes a revolutionary act. As Dr. Amy Kenny powerfully illustrates, joy disrupts societal expectations and challenges the narratives others write about our lives. Her insight that joy is distinct from happiness—being an internal, enduring state rather than a fleeting emotion dependent on external circumstances—reframes how we think about our right to delight. The practice she shares of daily gratitude for specific moments within the past 24 hours isn't just about positive thinking; it's about training our brains to recognize abundance in a culture built on scarcity. Perhaps most radically, Amy's rejection of "guilty pleasures" reminds us that we've been conditioned to feel shame about experiences that bring us joy. When we bedazzle our mobility devices, stand barefoot in grass, or simply refuse to apologize for what delights us, we reclaim our humanity and create space for others to do the same. This isn't selfish—it's necessary work that models a different way of being in the world, one where our worthiness isn't determined by our productivity or others' comfort levels, but by our simple existence as humans deserving of joy.

Post-Tea Pursuits: PRACTICE GUILT-FREE JOY this week.

Inspired by Amy's wisdom, take 10 minutes to examine your relationship with joy:

• Identify one thing you enjoy but feel "guilty" about - can you release that guilt?
• Each morning, name something specific you're grateful for from the past 24 hours (no cheating with evergreen gratitude's!)
• Spend time in nature, even if it's just looking at photos of trees or watching ocean videos

Commit to one act of joyful resistance this week. Maybe it's decorating your workspace with something that brings you delight, taking a walk without checking your phone, or simply refusing to apologize for something that brings you joy. Remember: your joy doesn't require anyone else's permission, and choosing yourself is a radical act. WRITE DOWN how it feels to prioritize your joy without guilt!