We risk missing out on joy when we Meaning Factcheck Usage
Rate this quotes

You know, that idea from Brene Brown about how “We risk missing out on joy…” is so true. It’s a powerful reminder that constantly hunting for big, flashy highs can actually blind us to the simple, beautiful moments that make up a happy life. It’s about shifting your focus from the extraordinary to the ordinary magic that’s already there.

Share Image Quote:

Table of Contents

Meaning

At its heart, this quote is a warning against the trap of relentless pursuit. It suggests that our obsession with creating or capturing spectacular experiences can ironically be the very thing that robs us of genuine, everyday contentment.

Explanation

Let me break this down a bit. I’ve seen this play out so many times, both in my own life and with people I’ve worked with. We get this idea that joy is something we have to earn, something that only exists on the other side of a major achievement or a perfect vacation. So we’re always chasing, you know? Head down, grinding. But here’s the kicker—real joy, the sustainable kind, is almost always quiet. It’s in the five minutes of quiet with your morning coffee, the stupid joke your kid tells, the feeling of the sun on your skin during a walk. When you’re hyper-focused on the extraordinary, you’re not present for those micro-moments. And that’s where the good stuff lives. It’s a subtle but profound shift from being a chaser to being a receiver.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (4154)
CategoryEmotion (204)
Topicsgratitude (77), presence (89)
Literary Stylepoetic (755)
Emotion / Moodgentle (199)
Overall Quote Score77 (181)
Reading Level34
Aesthetic Score84

Origin & Factcheck

This wisdom comes straight from Brene Brown’s 2012 book, Daring Greatly, which was published in the United States. It’s a core part of her research on vulnerability and wholehearted living. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around the internet unattributed, but this specific phrasing is definitively hers.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrene Brown (257)
Source TypeBook (4792)
Source/Book NameDaring Greatly (39)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1995)
Original LanguageEnglish (4154)
AuthenticityVerified (4792)

Author Bio

Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |

Where is this quotation located?

QuotationWe risk missing out on joy when we’re too busy chasing down extraordinary moments
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 2012; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781592407330; Last edition. Number of pages: 287.
Where is it?Approximate page from 2012 Gotham edition

Authority Score90

Context

In Daring Greatly, Brown places this idea within the framework of what she calls “foreboding joy”—that uncomfortable, fearful feeling we sometimes get when things are actually going well. We brace for disaster, or we try to “beat the vulnerability” by making the moment more perfect, more extraordinary. This quote is the antidote: a call to just lean into the simple, imperfect joy that’s already happening.

Usage Examples

This is incredibly practical advice. Think about:

  • For the burnt-out professional: Instead of thinking happiness will only come after the next promotion or big bonus, practice finding one small, good thing at the end of each workday. Just one.
  • For the parent planning the “perfect” birthday party: Remind yourself that the joy for your child isn’t in the flawless, Instagrammable cake, but in the messy, laughing moment of blowing out the candles with their friends.
  • For anyone scrolling social media: When you feel that pang of comparison, use this quote as a mantra to pull you back into your actual life, your actual room, your actual surroundings, and find one thing there that brings you a flicker of peace.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeInsight (95)
Audiencesfamilies (68), leaders (3046), students (3628), teachers (1377), therapists (606)
Usage Context/Scenariomindfulness sessions (31), motivational content (45), parent talks (3), retreat guides (2)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score78
Popularity Score88
Shareability Score88

FAQ

Question: Is this quote saying we shouldn’t have goals or aim for big things?

Answer: Not at all. It’s not about abandoning ambition. It’s about not putting all your eggs in the “someday I’ll be happy” basket. You can pursue extraordinary goals while still being awake to the ordinary joy available to you right now.

Question: How do you actually stop chasing and start appreciating?

Answer: It’s a practice. It starts with tiny moments of intentional noticing. A deep breath. A conscious pause to look out the window. Gratitude for the fact that your coffee is hot. It’s about training your brain to register the good that’s already there.

Question: What’s the difference between joy and happiness?

Answer: Great question. In Brown’s work, happiness is often tied to external circumstances, while joy is a deeper, more resilient sense of well-being and connection that can be found even in the midst of struggle. It’s that quiet thread of goodness you can hold onto.

Similar Quotes

Joy collects in ordinary moments Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Joy collects in ordinary moments… it’s not a grand event you schedule, but a quiet accumulation of tiny, beautiful things you notice. It’s the secret to a life that feels…

Joy is a sign that the soul is Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Joy is a sign that the soul is on schedule. It’s a powerful reminder that our deepest feelings are a compass, not just a destination. When you feel that genuine,…

Worry is a barrier to joy and gratitude Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Worry is a barrier to joy… it’s true. That feeling of constant anxiety literally blocks you from experiencing the good stuff in your life right now. It’s like a wall…

When we are willing to risk vulnerability we Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

When we are willing to risk vulnerability, we open ourselves up to more than just potential hurt. It’s the secret, counter-intuitive doorway to the very things we want most: deep…

There are moments when you have to choose Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, “There are moments when you have to choose” really gets to the heart of a tough professional truth. It’s about those crossroads where your ambition and your integrity…