Questions for light-hearted conversation
Ideal for the dinner table or kicking off your next team meeting.
What’s the silliest thing
that happened to you today?
What’s one simple pleasure
that you never get tired of?
Who has your favorite laugh?
How would you describe it to
someone who’s never heard
it before?
story high or being able to change something’s
If you had to move to a foreign
city sight unseen, one you’ve
never been to before, which
one would you pick and why?
What’s something you’d love
to wear but are afraid you
couldn’t “pull it off”?
What’s the naughtiest
thing you ever did as a kid?
© 2020 Ingrid Fetell Lee
If you could be one thing in
What’s your favorite thing
nature (other than a human),
in your home?
what would you be?
What’s a memory you have If you could pick up one new
of a time when you felt hobby and be instantly good
completely free? at it, what would you choose?
If you could have a mediocre
superpower, what would If someone designed a
you choose? playground just for you, what
(Note: It has to be mediocre — limited in would be in it? How would
scope or utility — like being able to jump one you spend your recess period?
color with the touch of your hand.)
Can you remember the last time
What’s a song that always
you laughed until it hurt? What
lifts your spirits?
were you laughing about?
If you could keep any wild
What’s a smell that you
animal as a pet (without
can always count on to
harming its well-being), what
bring you joy?
would you pick?
What’s one surprising joy
you’ve discovered recently?
What’s your favorite emoji
(For example, something you and why?
thought you didn’t like, or
something that most people dislike.)
aestheticsofjoy.com @aestheticsofjoy
 Questions for deeper reflection
Use these for thoughtful conversation, or as prompts for journaling.

When you were a child, what

What’s something new What’s one thing in the
adult showed you what it
you’ve learned about yourself future that you’re really
meant to find joy in life?
in the last 3 months? looking forward to?
How did they do it?

What part of your body do you When have you felt joy during
How has your favorite color like the least? Name three a time of sadness, stress, or
changed through the years? ways that this body part has grief? What caused you to
brought you joy over the years. feel that joy?

How do you think joy will be

similar or different for you What’s something you
when you’re 80, compared What’s something you once
value or appreciate about
to how it is now? wished for that you’re glad
someone close to you,
now that you never received?
(For example: Will you feel it differently? but haven’t told them?
Will you find it in different places?

Have you ever felt guilty for

What are moments when What’s a game, toy, or book that
feeling joy or pleasure? Why
you’ve felt truly loved by brought you tremendous joy
did you feel guilty? Have these
someone? How did they as a kid? How has its influence
feelings changed, and if so,
make you feel that way? shown up in your life?
what changed them?

Who are you when you are

When was a time in life when
your most joyful self? What are the moments
you struggled, but changed
of your life that have felt
and ultimately found more (You might try describing what you feel,
what changes you notice in yourself, or what most magical to you?
joy in life as a result?
someone else might notice about you.)

What are things that you can

If you decided joy were going count on to boost your mood
What’s something you used when you’re feeling stressed
to be a priority in your life,
to take for granted that now or down?
what changes might you
you appreciate deeply?
make in the coming year? (This is a great prompt to start a running
list that you can keep adding to over time!)

© 2020 Ingrid Fetell Lee aestheticsofjoy.com @aestheticsofjoy