The Joyful Living Project
Inspiring Joy Around the World
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What if...in today's world, filled with negativity, stress, and suffering,
…we didn’t have to wait for things to change to begin our healing?
…the catalyst for positive change lies within our daily experiences?
…we could leave a legacy of hope, positivity, and inspiration for our children and generations to come?
I believe that all of this is possible and...
It starts with the gift of Joy
"The Game of Joy" Book
The secret to Creating Your own Happiness
(Even When Life is Stressful)

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My name is Yasmin Nguyen, and I am on a mission to inspire more joy, connection and freedom in our lives.
I created the Joyful Living Project to activate positive change and build thriving relationships, businesses, and communities.
I packed up my life and I drove across America for 18-months to explore 3 basic questions:
- What does joy look like in our lives?
- How can it positively impact our relationships, businesses, and community?
- What’s holding us back from experiencing more joy?
I believe that by exploring these questions, we have the opportunity to expand possibilities and transform the way we live, the way we connect, and the way we make a difference.
I believe that from this seed of joy grows hope, possibility, kindness, love, gratitude, empathy, and connection that can transform our lives, relationships, and country.
I believe that in every moment, we have the choice to focus on what’s wrong or what’s good. My mission is to invite people to choose joy.
Organizations and Conferences Yasmin has been Invited as a Speaker

















Follow the Recent Joyful Journey and Insights!
Instagram: @joyfullivingproject
Nov 30

Several weeks ago, when I was back visiting Houston, I got a chance to stop by the Pure Barre studio located in the Heights.
What a great class Whitney taught! Thank you so much for the warm welcome visiting the first time and as a fellow PB teacher 😊
Looking forward to stopping by again next time I`m in town and perhaps guest teach some time.
Y`all are rocking it! ...
Nov 6

One of the most special days of the year is our birthday. It may not be true for everyone, it seems to be joyful for many, especially it marks a milestone.
My heart is overflowing with joy receiving all of your messages, calls, and postings celebrating my 50th birthday! 🥰 Sometimes we forget a little gesture like a birthday wish can make such a big impact! Thank you for making this moment so special!🙏💗
I`ve noticed sometimes we block the joy when we collapse the timeline of possibilities into a small window of expectations. I found myself doing this a few weeks ago asking , "What are you going to do ON your 50th birthday?"
You may not know, I`ve been in the process of clearing out my parents` home these last few weeks for the sale. I grew up here with memories from 36 years ago. If you`ve ever moved, downsized, or cleaned out a house, you know this can be one of the most stressful and exhausting processes in our lives. Our estate sale happened to be on my birthday yesterday. That meant no grand birthday plans. I remember being disappointed, and even resentful for a moment having expectations for this momentous day.
However, a crazy idea came to mind that shifted this attachment and joy blocker. Why not celebrate fifty 50th birthdays with friends and loved ones over the course of this next year? That way I can spend time and really share joy with those around the world when I visit over the next 365 days. This subtle shift really allowed me to embrace both the present and possibilities without expectations and disappointment.
I`m so grateful to celebrate 50th Bday #1 with my dear friends Jack and Denise who brought me a pizza with a candle from our favorite place in Galveston. I also met up with my long-time high school friend Michelle for some boba tea and ended the day meeting up with a dear college friend Andrew. We had Tex Mex food and a sombrero. What an unforgettably joyful way, to kick of my 50s!
If we didn`t get a chance to celebrate together I`m coming to a city near you this year to do so 🥳🎂🎈
We only have so many trips around the sun and never know when it`s out last one, so let`s make sure to celebrate joy every moment. ...
Oct 11

In case you missed it, October 11th is National Spread Joy Day!
Need some ideas how to create and share joy?
This is a poem I wrote that may help...
A Joyful Day by Yasmin Nguyen
Would you like more joy today? If so…
Don`t hope for joy, as joy is waiting for you.
Don`t search for joy, for joy will find you.
Don`t chase joy, as joy will follow you.
Joy is not what we lack. Joy is what we notice.
Joy is not what we earn. Joy is what we practice.
Joyful living is a daily practice of life in a way that invites joy into each moment.
So practice gratitude.
Practice kindness.
Practice empathy.
Practice connection.
Practice movement.
Practice adventure.
Practice giving.
Practice receiving.
Practice curiosity.
Practice creativity.
Practice vulnerability.
Practice forgiveness.
Practice rest.
Practice reflection.
Practice discovery.
Practice teaching.
Practice faith.
Practice loving.
Practice presence.
Practice playfulness.
Each time we practice, we remind ourselves of possibilities.
These possibilities activate hope and remind us that no matter how
stressful or challenging our day may be, we CAN have a moment of joy.
And in each moment, we deposit joy into our hearts.
So by the end of the day, we see that we`ve had a joy-full day.
If you would like to learn more about joy, check out my book "The Game of Joy" at www.gameofjoybook.com ...
Oct 10

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you were the new kid at the school?
I sure have. It`s that awkward feeling some of us introverts have when we look around and everyone seems to know each other.
Maybe it`s a new networking or social group? Maybe you just started a job at a new company? Maybe it`s moving to new neighborhood?
Regardless, the feeling of being an outsider creeps in.
Sometimes, all it takes is a single welcoming smile, kind gesture, acknowledgement or introduction that breaks the ice. It`s these little moments that seem to make all the difference for a newcomer.
I recently moved to Austin and yesterday I stopped by a new Pure Barre studio nearby. As many of you know, I`ve been taking barre classes for the last 3 years. In addition, I`ve been a Pure Barre teacher over the last year. With over 800 classes under my belt taking and teaching, you would think that whenever I step into a studio I would feel right at home.
Well, yes and no. Certainly at my home studio in Houston (Sugar Land to be specific) I do feel that way. However, when I visit a new studio, I still get that newcomer feeling.
What made my experience special yesterday at the Pure Barre Southwest Austin studio was the open, energetic, friendly welcome I received from Karen, our teacher. Though I did not know anyone in class, Karen was my Joy Ambassador. Don`t get me wrong, it was a challenging class, but it was also fulfilling to feel that sense of belonging again.
Sometimes we forget the impact we make with the subtle things we do and don`t do. As a teacher, I always made it a priority to learn and welcome everyone by their names with an authentic smile. I try to get to know them and introduce them to others. Knowing that feeling of being the new one in a class or community, I want to make sure that they feel welcome and connected to the group. That`s how we foster a culture of joy.
I want to thank Karen and Lauren for making me feel at home! I`m excited to continue to practice barre here and get to know the other members, staff, and team.
How are you being a Joy Ambassador today and helping newcomers to your community feel welcome and "glad you`re here"? ...
18-Month Journey Across America

Follow the Joyful Living Project Journey
Follow the Joyful Living Project Journey
Joy Shared in These All Places 2018 - 2020
On July 1, 2018, I began my 18-month journey across the country to curate ideas, conversations, and communities that inspire joy, connection and freedom.
Portland, OR July 1 – August 16
Seattle, WA Aug 17 – August 19
Bandon, OR Sept 6
Ashland, OR Sept. 7
San Francisco, CA Sept. 8 – Oct. 3
Los Angeles, CA Oct. 4 – Oct. 11
Chattanooga, TN Oct. 12- Oct. 15
Palm Springs, CA Oct. 16 – Oct. 24
Phoenix, AZ Oct. 25 -Oct. 31
Tucson, AZ Nov. 1 – Nov. 6
Houston, TX Nov 8 – Nov 12
Portland, OR Nov. 13- Nov. 30
Dallas, TX Dec. 27 – Dec. 30
Playa Del Carmen, Mex Jan. 19 – Jan. 27
Tokyo, Japan Feb. 1 – Feb. 18
New Orleans, LA March 16 – March 21
Vancouver, Canada March 23 – April 10
Houston, TX April 12 – April 14
Austin, TX April 15 – April 28
Dallas, TX May 2
New Orleans, LA May 3
Blairsville, GA May 4 – May 5
Chattanooga, TN May 6 – May 12
Atlanta, GA May 13 – May 14
Nashville, TN May 16 – May 19
Asheville, NC May 19 – May 21
Charlotte, NC May 22 – May 24
Miami, FL May 25 – May 31
Havana, Cuba – June 1 – June 4
Philadelphia, PA June 7- June 11
Fenwick Island, DE June 12- June 14
New York City, NY June 15 – June 23
Boston, MA June 24 – June 27
New Hampshire June 28 – June 30
San Francisco, CA July 1 – Aug. 3
Pittsburgh, PA Aug. 5 – Aug. 6
Indianapolis, IN Aug. 7 – Aug. 9
Marion, IN Aug. 10 – Aug. 12
Chicago, IL Aug. 13 – Aug. 15
Detroit, MI Aug. 16 – Aug. 18
Chicago, IL Aug. 19 – Aug. 25
Kansas City, MO Aug. 26 – Aug. 29
Denver, CO Aug. 30 – Sept. 5
Boulder, CO Sept. 6
Bryce Canyon, UT Sept. 7
Zion National Park, UT Sept. 9
Salt Lake City, UT Sept. 10- Sept. 16
Boulder, CO Sept. 17
Morrisville, MO Sept. 18 – Sept. 19
Louisville, KY Sept. 20 – Sept. 21
Cincinnati, OH Sept. 22
Columbus, OH Sept. 22 – Sept. 26
Washington DC Sept. 27 – Oct. 13
Philadelphia, PA Oct. 14
Boston, MA Oct. 15
Vermont & NH Oct. 16 – Oct. 18
Portland, ME Oct. 19 – Oct 20
Fenwick Island, DE Oct. 21 – Oct. 27
Branson, MI Oct. 30 – Nov. 4
Portland, OR Nov. 20 – Dec. 4
Ft Worth, TX Dec. 9 – Dec. 12
Miami, FL Dec. 15 – Dec. 20
Phoenix, AZ Dec. 24 – Dec. 26
Santa Ana, CA Dec. 27 – Dec. 29
San Diego, CA Dec. 30 – Jan. 5
Palm Springs, CA Jan. 6 – Jan. 9
San Francisco, CA Jan. 11 – March 11
As I travelled across America, I explored joy through...
- Interviews with local “Joy Makers”: individuals, businesses, and nonprofits that uniquely inspire joy.
- Conversations with thought leaders, and the most joyful people in town, to explore what joy looks like through their eyes.
- Local adventures and experiences call “Joy Rides” that activate new ideas and possibilities.
- Organized meetups and workshops to explore what holds us back from more joy, connection and freedom.
- Presentations to larger audiences at companies, conferences, and community groups on self-care, work-life balance, and resilience.
- Social kindness experiments called “Joy Missions” that surprise recipients with random acts of kindness, gratitude and generosity.
- Inspiring photos and videos documenting joyful places, conversations, and experiences on social media.
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Meet Joyful Joe

Instagram @Joe.joyful
Joyful Joe is a Joy Ambassador who has been travelling with me. He’s just your average Joe who reminds us that anyone can experience moments joy in the simplest ways.
Don`t forget to stop to smell the flowers. Joy is in being present and appreciating the beauty in front of us. #JoyfulJoe #bepresent #smelltheflowers #boulder #joy

Don`t forget to stop to smell the flowers. Joy is in being present and appreciating the beauty in front of us. #JoyfulJoe #bepresent #smelltheflowers #boulder #joy ...

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~Maya Angelou