In today’s episode, on my brisk walk to class, I’m sharing a real-life moment that turned into a big life lesson...what a dead car battery taught me about my own social and emotional battery.

What I thought was just a quick recharge turned out to be something deeper, reminding me that sometimes negative influences, stress, and unhealthy patterns slowly drain us more than we realize.

This episode is all about self check-ins, protecting your energy, and making sure you’re taking preventative steps to stop you from burn out.

PS: Gville was WINDY on my walk (shoutout 28 degree weather)...so perhaps best to listen as you yourself are on a stroll :)

This season kicks off with the return of interviews featuring people whose stories have inspired me, and today’s episode is all about finding joy from within. I’m joined by the one and only MBG, Mary Beth Garrison, who opens up about learning to be content in her own company, navigating uncertainty, and finding peace even when life feels unclear.

We talk about community, mental and physical health, faith, friendships, and why you can’t pour from an empty cup. From law school lessons to personal growth, MBG shares her journey through hard seasons and how embracing the unknown has helped her become more grounded, confident, and joyful.

If you’ve ever struggled with uncertainty, comparison, or learning how to truly be okay on your own, this conversation is for you. Joy isn’t always found in having all the answers... sometimes it’s found in trusting yourself along the way.

Welcome to Season Five of The Joy Project with Julia — a brand-new chapter shaped by growth, reflection, and intentional living. In this episode, I’m leaning into the beauty of new beginnings as I share my personal “ins and outs” for 2026, reflecting on the habits I want to carry with me and the mindsets I’m learning to release. From handwritten notes and outside time to setting healthier boundaries, letting go of comparison, and embracing the Let Them theory, this episode is all about finding sustainable joy and long-term growth. I open up about the lessons I’ve learned along the way, the power of viewing life in phases, and how small, intentional choices can truly shape the year ahead. Whether you’re resetting your goals or just craving a fresh perspective, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and step confidently into your next chapter.

After a six-week pause, I’m finally back...this week reflecting on what finding joy looks like when we’re home for break. In this episode, I talk about the emotional shift that comes from leaving a fast-paced, fight-or-flight school routine and stepping into the slower, sometimes complicated rhythm of being home. As much as we may wish otherwise, winter break isn’t always a holiday Hallmark movie...but joy often comes from taking intentional steps to notice the little things.

Every time I come home, I find myself having an internal conversation about adjusting expectations, navigating family dynamics, and rediscovering joy in the ordinary moments that only exist at home: warm hugs, fuzzy socks, family meals, quiet mornings, and the comfort of familiarity. Joy can feel easier—or harder—to notice when we’re removed from our everyday environment, but slowing down has helped me become more present and grounded.

I also dive into lessons I’ve been learning from the Let Them Theory, setting gentle boundaries, and choosing a few meaningful priorities instead of overloading my break with plans. This episode is a reminder that joy and frustration can exist at the same time...especially when we return to familiar spaces that no longer fit us in the same way they once did.

If you’re home for break and feeling restless, bored, disconnected, or unsure how to fully enjoy this season, this conversation is for you. I hope it encourages you to redefine what joy at home looks like—one small, intentional moment at a time.

In honor of my 2nd National Joy Day, I’m taking you back to the moment that sparked everything! How crazy is it that my quiet Sunday on a campus bench turned into the realization of my purpose, the birth of this podcast, and a commitment to finding joy in every corner of my life TWO years ago!?!

Celebrating Joy Day is something so special to me! From running my first 5K with a glittery cardboard medal, to volunteering on campus, leading creative projects, studying with friends, and ending the night with the sweetest conversation (and a pizookie, of course), I truly could not have had a better day.

I hope my Joy Day inspires you to choose a day to celebrate yourself, be present, and honor your own milestones—big or small.

Save the date for next year: November 5. I’ll be celebrating, and I’d love for you to keep joining me!!

This week is extra special because… drumroll, please… National Joy Day is TOMORROW (yes, November 5th—my self-declared favorite holiday ever)! I cannot wait to share the recap of all the joy-filled moments, growth, and little wins.

But today… today we’re diving into something real, raw, and so incredibly common: finding joy in the midst of imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something so many people struggle with, so let’s normalize these feelings by talking about them. Comparison truly is the thief of joy, especially in environments full of go-getters. It’s up to us to create strong boundaries and self-care practices to protect our mental health. Embracing your “why,” owning your unique joy factor, and remembering that you were chosen for a reason are all so important. Tune in to learn tangible steps to shift from “What if I’m not good enough?” to “What if this is exactly where I’m meant to be?”

Joy is a practice, not a prize. It’s not perfection, it’s presence. It’s gratitude, little victories, authentic connection, and remembering you are worthy of every opportunity you’ve been given. Whether this is your first time hearing about imposter syndrome or you’ve been wrestling with it for years, this episode is your reminder: you are enough, you are capable, and you are not alone.

Stay tuned, get pumped for Joy Day tomorrow, and let’s keep choosing joy together.

Are you tired of constantly comparing yourself to others? Do you often feel like other people are judging your accomplishments? If so, learning how to defy jealousy will be a powerful skill that enables you to transform feelings of jealousy into empowerment, gratitude, and joy. In this episode, I explore the difference between jealousy and envy, why these feelings show up, and tangible ways to reframe comparison into inspiration.

It’s so important to stay grounded in your own worth, celebrate others without shrinking yourself, and build authentic joy by honoring your unique path. Because choosing joy isn’t about never feeling jealous — it’s about not living from it.

Tune in for mindset shifts, honest self-reflection, and simple practices to help you defy jealousy and live joyfully, confidently, and fully yourself.

After taking a little time off to rest my voice, I’m jumping right into a conversation that’s been sitting on my heart. This episode was inspired by my friend, Jacob, who reminded me that “busy is a privilege.” It really made me think...what if we stopped seeing busyness as the enemy, and started viewing it as an opportunity for growth, gratitude, and connection? In this episode, I talk about how to tell the difference between being busy and being frantic, how to align your schedule with your values, and how to build little daily rituals that keep you grounded in joy and gratitude.

Joy doesn’t wait for an empty calendar...it thrives in motion. So grab your Joy Journal, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into what it really means to find purposeful, balanced, and beautiful busyness.

You don't "have to do __" you "get to do ___"..,, being busy is a blessing!