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

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!

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!
...

10 1
Savoring the final hours in my 40s.

Savoring the final hours in my 40s. ...

45 16
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"?

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"?
...

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Good morning Austin!

Good morning Austin! ...

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18-Month Journey Across America

Follow the Joyful Living Project Journey

Follow the Joyful Living Project Journey

Click to experience the joyful adventures, insights, and impact through the Joy Travel Blog
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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...

The Numbers

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Miles Driven
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Cities Visited
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Different Beds Slept In
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Joyful Conversations
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Dinners Cooked for Hosts
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Deviled Egg Batches Made

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Experience the Beauty from this Journey

Yasmin's Travel Photography: Instagram @Yazpics

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.

Kindness brings joy to both the giver and receiver. Take a moment to share kindness today!
A Joy Reminder from #JoyfulJoe

Kindness brings joy to both the giver and receiver. Take a moment to share kindness today!

A Joy Reminder from #JoyfulJoe
...

Ok, beam me up Scotty!

Ok, beam me up Scotty! ...

Found a nice walking stick for my hike through Zion Canyon. #JoyfulJoe #hiking #zionnationalpark

Found a nice walking stick for my hike through Zion Canyon. #JoyfulJoe #hiking #zionnationalpark ...

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 ...

Found my long lost bigger cousin Joyful John in Pittsburgh! #JoyfulJoe #pittsburgh

Found my long lost bigger cousin Joyful John in Pittsburgh! #JoyfulJoe #pittsburgh ...

From I can tell, Randy is pretty darn creative and colorful! #JoyfulJoe #artist #randyland #pittsburgh

From I can tell, Randy is pretty darn creative and colorful! #JoyfulJoe #artist #randyland #pittsburgh ...

They call these redwoods! #JoyfulJoe #redwoods  #trees #muirwoodsnationalmonument

They call these redwoods! #JoyfulJoe #redwoods #trees #muirwoodsnationalmonument ...

I'm exercising my first amendment right #JoyfulJoe #firstamendment #constitution #muirwoods #funnysigns

I`m exercising my first amendment right #JoyfulJoe #firstamendment #constitution #muirwoods #funnysigns ...

Such colorful friends here in this sleepy beach town! #JoyfulJoe #frogstatue #beachtown

Such colorful friends here in this sleepy beach town! #JoyfulJoe #frogstatue #beachtown ...

I love waterfalls!!! #JoyfulJoe #muirwoods #waterrefillingstation #waterfall

I love waterfalls!!! #JoyfulJoe #muirwoods #waterrefillingstation #waterfall ...

Sometimes I like to just dance in the woods. #JoyfulJoe #muirwoods #feellikedancing

Sometimes I like to just dance in the woods. #JoyfulJoe #muirwoods #feellikedancing ...

I found a new friend! #JoyfulJoe #bear #wildlife #muirwoods

I found a new friend! #JoyfulJoe #bear #wildlife #muirwoods ...

I'd like to introduce you to my friend Karl #karlthefog . He gets around! #fog #sanfrancisco #coldsummers #bayarea #JoyfulJoe #travel

I`d like to introduce you to my friend Karl #karlthefog . He gets around! #fog #sanfrancisco #coldsummers #bayarea #JoyfulJoe #travel ...

Woohoo! Going off road! #JoyfulJoe #bicycle #mountainbike #cycling

Woohoo! Going off road! #JoyfulJoe #bicycle #mountainbike #cycling ...

Looks like I found a wonderful nook in New Hampshire! #JoyfulJoe #nook #cabininthewoods #lakefront #lakelife

Looks like I found a wonderful nook in New Hampshire! #JoyfulJoe #nook #cabininthewoods #lakefront #lakelife ...

I'm a glass is half full guy kinda guy. #JoyfulJoe #glasshalffull #joy #positivity #optimism

I`m a glass is half full guy kinda guy. #JoyfulJoe #glasshalffull #joy #positivity #optimism ...

“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