Joy as a Form of Resistance

Brightsiding is a practice that continues to push me to expand my concept of self, community, joy, choice, and freedom. 

When I began this project in 2019, I was a doe-eyed 24-year-old, inspired to create something to help me feel more connected and, in turn, provide a connection point to others—not just to me, but to each other, the world at large, and most importantly: themselves. 

Over the years, we’ve learned that Brightsiding is no walk in the park, especially in moments like this. Meeting yourself where you are requires courage, honesty, and integrity. It also requires optimism, which can feel futile or even naive when the collective discourse is so heavy, sad, and defeated. 

That heaviness is so valid; to see decency completely discarded at a national level is heartbreaking. I’m not here to tell you not to feel and move through that weight. 

The way I see it now, Brightsiding isn’t just about meeting yourself where you are anymore, it’s about going a step further and choosing joy as a form of resistance. 

Community, hope, and love are powerful tools for healing and resolution; to give up on those things now would be to hand our power away. This is a moment to dig deep, to turn inwards, to excavate the cause behind our feelings, and to move forward with intention. 

I refuse to participate in defeatist rhetoric that leaves no room for hope. 

On the day after the election, all I could think to do was walk. I walked upwards of 11 miles that day, all over Brooklyn and Manhattan. You know what I saw? A woman my age helping a little old lady cross the street. Parks and playgrounds fuller than I’ve seen them all year with children BEAMING, playing and laughing in the unseasonably warm sun. A man watering the flowers outside a senior center. Volunteers walking dogs. And so much more. 

Joy - or the potential for it - is everywhere if we keep our eyes open. It’s a bottomless, self-replenishing well that becomes fuller every time we engage with it. I believe the most potent, pure joy comes from the smallest acts; so don’t overthink it. Smile at each other, give a genuine compliment, tip your waiter extra, hold the door for the mom that’s in a rush, send your friend a letter, have your friends over and share warm bread and butter and wine. 

Activism isn’t new to us; we’ve been practicing it for years now. I believe in the power of goodness and community, and I believe we are brave enough to band together and turn this moment into one of progress and change. 

Joy as a form of resistance, people. Joy as a form of resistance. 

Stay with me on this one.