Let Joy Be the Metric Today

Why Rest, Play, and Presence Deserve a Place in Your Professional Life

Kamy Charles

5/24/20251 min read

a group of people standing around a sign that says let joy be the metro metro
a group of people standing around a sign that says let joy be the metro metro

Let’s Be Honest—Productivity Isn’t the Only Measure of Progress

We’ve been conditioned to measure our days by:

How many tasks we checked off

How many steps we took

How many emails we replied to

How “useful” we were

But what about joy?

Because let’s be clear:

A joyless life is not a sustainable one.

And if the only time you give yourself permission to feel good is on holidays or sick days, something’s off.

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Why Joy Feels Unproductive (And Why That’s a Problem)

We associate joy with indulgence.

We link rest with laziness.

We think stillness is a waste.

But here’s the truth:

Joy is fuel.

Joy makes you more present, more connected, more clear-headed.

And joy, unlike burnout, has no recovery time.

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How to Let Joy Lead—Even in Small Ways

1. Ask: “What would feel good—not just look good—today?”

Skip the aesthetics. Choose what feels right.

2. Set Joy-Based Micro-Goals

Instead of “clear 50 emails,” try:

Take a walk with music that lifts me

Make something with my hands

Laugh with someone I trust

3. Replace Guilt With Gratitude

Instead of “I should be doing more,” try:

“I’m grateful for the space I’ve created to feel this good.”

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Final Thought: Let Joy Count—Not Just Calories, Steps, or Stats

You’re allowed to feel good for no reason.

You’re allowed to rest without planning your comeback.

You’re allowed to enjoy life in the middle of building it.

So today—just for today—let joy be the metric.

And if your life needs more than a day of joy—Opus Opportunities can help you build that, too