Joy is an intense emotion, often described to express happiness, success, feelings of peace, and even love. The experiences of the past years have challenged us to sustain much of the joy that accompanies our work and personal lives. Yet, we remain mindful that joy is always within reach. Dr Jennifer Frank1 reminds us that Medicine is a challenging profession that can become all-consuming if we are not attentive. Often, we are the first to procrastinate meeting our own needs. It often takes work and intention to do things for ourselves. Simple joys may require planning, such as planning vacations, scheduling time with friends and families, or just taking time off to enjoy things that are unique to oneself.1

The Institute for Health Care Improvement (http://IHI.org) has added joy as a dimension within the quadruple and quintuple aim. Joy in work allows us to be more alert, more curious, and to learn more effectively. Dr Don Berwick2 reminds us that joy and generosity come together and foster growth and success. Joy, Berwick says, is a resource for excellence. In that sense, it fosters quality in work and personal relationships. In difficult times, we must work harder to find joy.

Rose Sherman3 reminds us that our workforce is still in a fragile place after more than 2 years of sustained challenges related to surges, staffing, and personal illness. The effects will also be sustained even as we attempt to restore self-care and work-life balance. The choice to continue this work is ours, although we also have a responsibility for self-care, joy, and personal fulfillment.

Consider the words of Dr Vivek H. Murthy,4 Vice Admiral, US Public Health Service Surgeon General of the United States:

We can choose to make this moment a collective commitment to care for those who have always cared for us. When health workers look ahead, they should see a future where their dedication isn't taken for granted, and where their health, safety, and well-being are as much a priority as the well-being of the people and communities in their care.4

As this year comes to an end, we may find ourselves reuniting with family and friends after a long pause. The global pandemic created an abyss, impeding us from the connections, people, and places that bring us joy. Now is the time to restore joy in work, and in all phases of our lives. Give yourself the gift of joy this holiday season. Find joy and love in all facets of your life, within and beyond your work.

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