Cultivating joy, especially in tough times, is a powerful choice—and it’s one you can fold right into your English learning journey. We hope learning English never feels like a grind: we would like for the language to be a way of adding moments of happiness to your day. Apart from being a useful tool for work and school, ideally learning English can also be a source for personal growth. In this humble blog post, we would like to share some simple suggestions for ways to brighten your day while leveling up your English skills.

Start Your Day with Something You Love

Mornings can set the tone for the rest of the day, so why not kick things off with a little English practice that will hopefully make you smile? Do you have a favorite song in English? Listen to it and sing along. It’s a great way to wake up and get your mouth moving in English. Check out our Spotify list for some ideas.

Not into music? No problem. Find a motivational quote, a funny meme, or a quick video clip in English that gives you a boost. Check back with us here for something goofy that will hopefully make you laugh or for a memorable quote. A little positivity goes a long way. Let’s make a little light in the world by holding on to the beautiful and the quirky.

Are you a visual person? Find a scene that you like and describe it to yourself in English. Or, do something even more fun like describing a scene (in English) and having AI make it for you. Check out the weird images it produced for us when we asked it to illustrate “squeezing more joy out of your day.” The results can be delightfully weird and funny.

Blend English with Your Hobbies

Here’s a win-win: take something you already enjoy and add an English twist to it. Love cooking? Try a recipe in English or follow an English-language cooking channel. Into fitness? There are plenty of workout videos in English. Whatever you’re into, chances are there’s a way to bring a little English into it. It won’t even feel like studying—you’re just doing what you enjoy!

Celebrate the Small Things

Used a new word in a conversation? Watched a whole episode of a show in English? Listened to a podcast and learned a few new words or expressions in context? Give yourself a little pat on the back. These small wins matter, and recognizing them can keep you motivated. If you are a person who likes to keep records, write them down in a notebook to remember for later. Take a moment to feel good about your progress. Learning a language is a journey—and as we have said before every step counts!

Take Fun "Mini Breaks”

Breaks are important, and they can also be opportunities. Use your downtime to sneak in some quick and fun English practice. Try a word game like Wordle, or text a friend (or your coach) in English about something good that happened today. These short breaks can refresh your mind and keep things light.

Share the Joy with Others

Learning a language is way more fun when you share it. Find a study buddy, join an online group, or chat with someone in English about your day. Even a quick exchange can brighten your mood and help you practice without it feeling like “practice.” Keep coming back to our blog for ideas of groups to join.

End the Day with Gratitude

It sounds totally corny, we know, but why not give it a shot? Before you go to bed, take a moment to reflect on the good things in your day—and write them down in English. It could be as simple as:

• We had amazing weather today.
• I talked to a good friend and we had a great conversation.
• I learned a new word, and I used it in context correctly. (I sounded really smart!)

It’s a small habit, but it’s a nice way to wrap up your day on a positive note while sneaking in a little writing practice. It’s also a pleasure to look through these notes to yourself later.

Our Final Thoughts on the Matter

Luckily, English is a living language. It isn’t just about studying, conjugating verbs or memorizing vocabulary lists. There are lots of ways to enjoy the process. By finding ways to bring more joy into your day, will not only help you to improve faster, it may also keep you engaged and progressing towards your communication goals. Make the language yours.

Pick something, give it a go, and see how it feels. You might be surprised by the results.

Thanks for reading. (See? Expressing gratitude 😊)