There’s something quietly radical about choosing joy in a world that profits off your exhaustion.
And today, I’m choosing to dilly dally—with full intention.
I lit a candle that makes my entire house smell like magic.
I put on an Astrud Gilberto-filled playlist that makes me sway as I tidy.
I poured a glass of sweet tea, slipped into my favorite Mrs. Roper muumuu, and just… let the day unfold.
There is no productivity metric for this.
There’s just peace.
And when you live in a world that tells you peace must be earned?
Choosing it on a random Sunday morning is its own kind of spell.
Why Joy Matters in the Movement
If we burn ourselves out trying to save the world, who’s left to build the one we’re dreaming of?
Rebellious joy is not a distraction. It’s an anchor.
It’s how we stay soft enough to keep creating.
It’s how we remember the world we want to live in—not just resist the one we’re trying to dismantle.
What Rebellious Joy Looks Like (Today)
Today, mine looks like:
- Smoothing out my quilt and zhushing up the throw pillows
- Rearranging a shelf just so I can watch the light hit a crystal the right way
- Flipping through a cookbook without any real plans to cook
- Hanging art that’s been sitting on the floor for ages.
- Dusting here and there as I feel inspired.
- Letting myself meander instead of hustle
Not to perform. Not to impress anyone. Just to remember that I’m allowed to enjoy my life—even in the middle of all of this.
And so I have a quiet reprieve from the world when it feels too damn loud.
Wanna to Join Me?
Here are five little acts of rebellious joy you can try today:
- Light a candle—the good one. The one you “save.” Use it now.
- Put on music that makes your body sway. You can find my favorite playlist HERE.
- Wear something ridiculous and comfy. Extra points for drama.
- Make yourself a pretty little drink. I like sweet tea, but you do you.
- Rearrange one tiny thing in your space—just because it brings you delight.
- Wander and look for tasks that inspire you. No goal. No plan. Just joy.
Tell Me…
What’s one thing you did today just for joy?
Drop it in the comments. I want to celebrate your softness.
Because the world doesn’t need more perfectly productive women.
It needs more of us who know how to rest, how to create beauty, and how to protect our peace like it’s holy.
We are building a better world—one protest, one zhushed corner, one barefoot dance break at a time.
I feel so drawn to this, like I found your account because I needed to. My Sunday after Protest was almost exactly the way you described yours. Coincidence? I think not I am an artist, Interior Designer, DIYer, candlemaker, mom and grandma of two beautiful babies (hopefully more to come )
After making myself a matcha latte this morning while relaxing in pj’s I then decided that I would (finally) change my bedroom over to Summer linens. I know it’s already mid June but Long Island is refusing to become Summer this year.
I sat on the little deck off my dining room, with my coffee, and watched my Steller’s jays get a little braver with me there as they snag peanuts.
Mmmmmm Gina I felt every breath of this! My feet (!) are sunburned after No Kings because I forgot them…. so today they got a little extra love. I made a second iced Dulce de Leche espresso and I’m my well caffeinated state I organized my knitting. I zhushed my creative space and plan on casting on a new Sophie Scarf with some lovely new yarn. Thanks for being you!!!
I am doing this very thing. I am bouncing around quietly in my space. Calm is in my home
I’m softly swinging in my colorful patio hammock listening to the Spotify list you shared above, a great book on my lap and here and there, watching bees feasting on nearby flowers.
Yours are one of the very few emails I open immediately. On this post-March Sunday, thanks Gina for all the amazing content, wait, no, I don’t want to call it content, your magical words, your lighthouse window view, your wisdom, your generosity, your artistry. Gracias.
Elena
I lit an incense while rearranging a craft shelf in my sewing area. I am still in pjs at 1:45pm and watching/listening to a 1930s old film Dr. Fu Manchu. I love to Dilly Dally and now you gave me a new word, Zhush!
Love your post!
I needed this so much today. I live in Cullman,Al (iykyk) so no protest here yesterday but I engaged from home by posting and sharing. I watched every protest I could find online and sent love & energy to those on the front lines. Today I woke up with the blahs but I got up and I meditated. I straighten my house and pulled a comfy dress from closet that I had been “saving”. Then I sat down and finished a page in my junk journal. Gaia Mother Earth. She inspired me to let myself be today. Listen to the thunder and wait for the rain. I just read your blog today and it fit. It was the icing I needed on today’s cake. Thank you friend. Sending you blessings and love.
I sat by the pool for Father’s Day with my husband, son in law, daughter and my two beautiful granddaughters and just chilled and just lived in the present…it was bliss, as I hadn’t seen the granddaughters in 6 days ( I watch them two days a week and took some time off to spend with my sister & family who were visiting from NY here in Colorado. It’s been busy, but I enjoyed being with them going to the mountains. RMNP is within an hours drive. All of this grounded me. My dawdling wasn’t very homey but it sure was nice!!!
Thanks for your posts, they are soooooo helpful in keeping me sane in the chaos . Love that it’s non judgmental…just a reminder to do something productive but also take care of yourself
My adult son and I went to a charming little town nearby and explored a couple art galleries, then we sat in rocking chairs outside an ice cream shop and people watched while we enjoyed OMG delicious rich ice cream
Hi hi watching from another country. You truly are a blessing. Thank you for finding us to be the calm
I headed to the gym and decided 1/2 way into the class that I was done and headed home. I bought sushi for lunch and I, too, meandered all day! I started up my room diffusers with an amazing oil from Sage, listened to music, and just chilled out. For me that looked like scrolling on my phone until my 5:00pm massage appt which was exactly what I needed. Saving the country from authoritarianism is hard. But resting ensures I can show up another day!
I love reading your blog and seeing your pics… We went to tour a cave in the Laurel Highlands and visited a historic battlefield in the rain, which was both beautiful and peaceful, and out to dinner and a little picnic for two visiting one of waterfalls in the area over the weekend. Just what we needed!