When was the last time you did something purely for yourself just because it makes you feel reenergized?

We often convince ourselves that joy is optional, that finishing the to-do list comes first, and feeling good can wait. For some reason, we sometimes feel guilty doing something for ourselves but knowing that to-do list is calling our names. However, seeking out joy and making time for yourself is actually a form of self-respect and nourishment we all need to make time for.

Lately, I’ve set the intention to prioritise my joy again. A couple of weeks ago, that meant a night out to watch Mamma Mia! (I mean name a better girls night?) In fact, it turned out to be more than just a fun girls’ night.

Apart from being a fantastic performance, that left us with an energy no amount of caffeine could provide. I realised how the journey of the main character, Sophie, is all about her powerful journey toward self-belief

The musical begins with Sophie singing “I Have a Dream.’ She’s thinking she’ll be able to discover more about herself by finding out who her father is. But by the end, she sings the same song again, and its meaning has completely shifted. She’s no longer searching for her identity in others, instead she’s embracing the uncertainty of life and stepping into her own. The reprise of the song becomes symbolic of a new journey, not one of answered questions, but of newfound freedom. Sophie realises that her worth was never tied to anyone else, it was within her all along, she just had to believe it.

It takes great courage to move away from external validation and instead start trusting yourself, to let your joy guide you, not just your responsibilities. Ensuring you’re seeking out what makes you joyful and happy and making time for it creates a great sense of self power. So, show up for yourself, even in small ways. That’s how self-belief is built: moment by moment.

Like Sophie’s journey, our paths to self-belief aren’t always easy, but they often lead to something more fulfilling than we could have ever imagined.

What’s one small joy you’ve been putting off? Choose it today. You might just find your own Mamma Mia moment waiting for you.