Who knew? Disco + Groceries = Joy

I love music—all kinds of music. When I was a kid, I remember listening to the radio or playing records at home. This will definitely date me, but I clearly remember getting my first cassette Walkman. I slipped on the headphones, pressed play, and started walking around listening to music. It felt like I was in a movie with my own soundtrack. To this day, whenever I wear headphones, it feels like I’m carrying the soundtrack to my life.

The other day, I walked to the store to pick up a few items for dinner. Lately, I’ve been hooked on a 70’s roller-skating disco mix. So there I was, walking down to Smith’s, jamming out to disco, when Disco Inferno came on just as I walked through the doors. Normally, I’d take my earbuds out while shopping, but not this time. It was too good to resist.

To say it transformed my shopping experience would be putting it mildly. Grinning ear to ear, dance-walking through the produce section, I probably looked like a fool—but I couldn’t help myself! At 10 minutes and 58 seconds long, the song timed out perfectly for me to grab everything I needed and hit the self-checkout. As I left the store, the soundtrack shifted for my walk home. Honestly, it was the most fun grocery trip I’ve had in years. Music turned a dull chore into a little adventure.

Lately, I’ve been practicing finding fun and joy in small, everyday moments—basically, taking off the heavy burden of being so serious all the time. Let’s face it, the world is a shit show right now. I won’t mince words: we’re living through some seriously fucked-up times. But blasting disco while grocery shopping gave me a pocket of levity, a spark of joy in an otherwise overwhelming landscape of doom and gloom.

Here’s the thing: don’t feel guilty about enjoying yourself. Yes, shit is bad—bad things are happening to people, all kinds of people—but being miserable, scared, or depressed 24/7 doesn’t fix any of it. I’m not saying to ignore those feelings—you know me, I’m all about feeling the feels and moving through them. But denying yourself joy in the small moments? That doesn’t serve anyone.

Every moment, we get to choose how we think and how we feel. I’m choosing joy whenever and wherever I can, because life is short—and me not enjoying myself won’t make the world any better. In fact, I’d argue that joy is contagious. When you see someone jamming out to their soundtrack, doesn’t it make you smile? Maybe my silly produce dance even made someone else’s day a little brighter.

So tell me—how do you bring more fun and joy into your life?

I’m on a mission to turn every chore and mundane task into a mini adventure, so I’d love to hear your ideas.

Now if only roller skates were allowed in grocery stores…

With Joy (and a little disco),

Kirsten

Click HERE to listen Disco Inferno by The Trammps