Lately, it’s felt like the world is just… heavy. Between the heartbreak of the Texas floods and the constant stream of bad news, it’s been hard to feel light. My sister Kaitlyn and I were both feeling that weight earlier this month — especially as moms, and especially knowing friends who were directly impacted. Kaitlyn currently lives in Houston, and we both went to high school there, so Texas isn’t just another headline for us — it’s personal.
But in the middle of all that heaviness, Kaitlyn shared something in her Instagram stories that really stuck with me: a practice she and her former co-advisor, Sarah Watson, started a few years ago with their students. It was simple, powerful, and exactly what I needed to hear. It’s called a SMOJ: a Small Moment of Joy.
When Kaitlyn and Sarah were co-advisors at St. John’s School in Houston, they encouraged their students to begin every day by sharing their SMOJ — the little thing that had brought them joy, no matter how small. It could be anything: a kind text from a friend, a great lunch, a silly joke, a good night’s sleep. At the end of that school year, they gave each of their students a photo that read, “Your soul is our SMOJ.” I just love that.
This week, as Kaitlyn was setting up her new office, she came across that very picture. And it reminded her — and eventually, all of us — of the importance of pausing to notice the good, even when things feel overwhelming. Being grateful for our small moments of joy also has the added benefit of improving our mood and overall well-being.
Neuroscience confirms that a “regular practice of gratitude can lead to long-term positive changes in the brain, supporting mental health and resilience.” What better reason is there to start embracing the little moments of joy we experience every day?
So, Kaitlyn started sharing her own SMOJs:
- Her daughters working together to clean out their playroom.
- Her oldest daughter’s 8th-grade graduation pictures.
- Starting a new job she already loves.
- Her family being gifted tickets to see the Astros game.
- An unexpected 20-minute gelato catch-up with her best friend.
- Her favorite SoulCycle instructor returning.
That one simple story turned into a ripple effect — soon after, my other sister Liza and I were sharing our SMOJs, too. Then a few friends started sharing theirs.
And I realized: This should be a movement.
So, here’s the invitation: Start noticing your SMOJs.
Share them on Instagram or wherever you feel comfortable.
Use the hashtag #SMOJ25 and tag us—we’d love to see yours.
Maybe it’s a quiet cup of coffee. Reading a book. A good walk. A funny thing your kid said. A text that made you smile. Helping someone in need. Big or small, joy is joy. And sharing it helps us all feel a little more human.
Because that’s what it means to be human — not pretending things are fine when they aren’t, but learning to hold both the pain and the beauty. And maybe, just maybe, finding comfort in the little things that remind us we’re still here.
Fabulous reminder!