The Joyful Living Project
Inspiring Joy Around the World

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)

Available February 2023
Pre-Order your signed copy today!
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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
Jan 22

Have you ever made a new years resolution to do something only to drift back into old habits?
Many of us make declarations like getting more exercise this year.
Well, I did something in 2022...and it created tremendous JOY!!!
Here's what happened...
Last year, the owner of my Pure Barre studio invited me to do the Platinum Barre fitness challenge. This is a commitment to take at least 15 workout classes every month in 2022.
At first, I hesitated thinking of the travel I may do. What if I got sick and missed a couple of weeks? What of I got busy with work?
Then I asked myself, "What's one thing I'm going to do for myself this year that will help me feel good about myself, get in shape, and feel connected?"
I said yes!
There were months when went to class exhausted from work. When I was traveling for 2 weeks, I worried how I would finish 15 classes.
No matters what, I showed up again and again. Along the way, I became a Pure Barre teacher leading 20+ classes a month and took an additional 15+.
A few days ago, 6 of us celebrated our commitment to ourselves. Each of us completed 180+ workouts in 2022!
I felt joy radiating throughout my entire body. Here's why:
Joy of Completion
Joy of Challenge and Accomplishment
Joy of Connection and Community
Joy of Movement
Joy of Celebration
Joy of Gratitude (teachers, team, clients)
This is a joyful moment I will cherish forever!
What are you committing to this year that you will joyfully celebrate in 12 months? ...
Jan 21

Hello My Friends
I hope you are having great weekend. Thank you so much for following my Joyful Living Project journey over the last 5 years. 🚗🚲✈⛩🗽🌁🚤
Your encouragement and support in response to my online posts have brought me such joy and helped me through some challenging times. I so appreciate your belief in me and my mission to spread joy.
I was wondering if you had a quick moment if I could get your help. As you may know, I'm publishing my first book in a few weeks and I would like to include a page of testimonials/personal experiences to inspire those who may not know me or my work with joy to consider reading it.
Would you be open to sharing a few sentences about your experiences with me, the insghts I've shared about joy, the impact it's made, or why someone looking for joy should consider checking out this book based on the stories, inspiration, and thoughts you've experienced from me over the years?
If you can help, would you please write a comment below or privately message me?
I so appreciate any support you can give to help inspire others!🙏😊❤ ...
Jan 17

Joy is all around us! What joy did you notice today?
In my upcoming book, "The Game of Joy", we explore how noticing all the different ways joy appears in our lives expands the experiences of joy we create. Our awareness activate possibilities of joy each moment.
Share the joy you saw or felt today 😊 ...
Jan 14

On my walk this morning I noticed this sign...PAUSE
It reminded me that one of the essential keys to joy is to pause and create space for it. This is one of the 7 Principles of Joy I share in my upcoming book "The Game of Joy: The Secret to Creating Your Own Happiness (Even When Life is Stressful)"
The pause you practice, whether its 5 seconds or 5 minutes creates an opening in your life for joy to flow through you.
How will you pause today? #pause4joy ...
Jan 11

Thank you for taking the time to help me select a cover design from my upcoming book last week. Your responses to my poll and thoughtful feedback were so helpful.
It's still a tough decision to pick one as I read each and every one of your comments and wish I could choose all of them.
Here are the 2 finalists you selected! They were literally tied. ...
Jan 9

Did you know that more than 44% of marriages end in divorce these days?
This past weekend my parents celebrated their 50th Anniversary. It's hard to believe that exactly 50 years ago, they said "I do", and kept that promise no matter what.
They have been on a courageous journey together since. 5 years after tying the knot, the had to make a life changing decision to leave their war-torn country with their 3 infant children. They were separated during their escape and it took almost 2 years to reunite. With only the shirts on their backs, they started over in America 43 years ago. For decades, they sacrificed for their children to go to college, have successful careers and have a life of joy and possibilities. They now have 5 grandchildren to see their legacy continue.
Last week I called my parents and asked them what they had planned for their 50th Anniversary. Sadly, their response was its no big deal, just another day.
Refusing to accept that answer, I made plans to celebrate with something special. From my journey to discover joy these last 5 years, I know how important celebration is to activating joy. Not only for ourselves, but for all those around us.
I called my sister to make plans. On my way to Austin, I picked up some flowers, champagne, a card and a gift card to The Olive Garden. I also rummaged through all of our family albums to find old photos of my parents when they laughed, smiled, and looked into each other's eyes with love. I found their wedding, honeymoon, and early family photos. With these in hand I created a short video slideshow reminding them of the 50 treasured years they shared and the impact the made on our family.
After going out to dinner that night, we got a cake, and sat around watching the video, going through an old album and celebrated the gifts they shared with us all of our lives.
Whether it's an anniversary, birthday, or accomplishment, don't forget to celebrate. Each opportunity that you get to do so is an opportunity to give and receive joy. We have so many treasured moments in life, lets acknowledge and share them. ...
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.
The Numbers
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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 ...

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

Found a nice walking stick for my hike through Zion Canyon. #JoyfulJoe #hiking #zionnationalpark ...
Don't forget to stop...

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...

Found my long lost bigger cousin Joyful John in Pittsburgh! #JoyfulJoe #pittsburgh ...
From I can tell, Randy is...

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

They call these redwoods! #JoyfulJoe #redwoods #trees #muirwoodsnationalmonument ...
I'm exercising my ...

I'm exercising my first amendment right #JoyfulJoe #firstamendment #constitution #muirwoods #funnysigns ...
Such colorful friends ...

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

I love waterfalls!!! #JoyfulJoe #muirwoods #waterrefillingstation #waterfall ...
Sometimes I like to just ...

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

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

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

“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