International Day of Happiness: How do Mumbaikars find joy?

International Day of Happiness observed annually onMarch 20th serves as a global reminder that happiness is a universal and fundamental goal that we all must strive towards As headlines of violence uncertainty and conflict dominate news cycles around the world the International Day of Happiness offers a moment to reflect and acknowledge the happiness that fills our lives The metropolis of Mumbai is known to be relentless in its pace and presents unique challenges to its dwellers The pursuit of happiness becomes a deeply personal experience for most who resort to carving out their mindful rituals that bring them calmness and joy To challenge the notions of happiness and advocating for a deeper appreciation of fleeting moments and quiet introspection we explore how Mumbaikars amidst their bustling routines discover happiness in their everyday livesHappiness isnrsquot always in the extraordinarymdashitrsquos in the beautifully ordinaryldquoIn a world that constantly pulls us in different directions finding joy in the smallest simplest moments have become my way of anchoring myself My days are often filled with decisionmaking problemsolving and navigating the demands of a fastpaced business But amidst the chaos there are two activities that bring me immense peace and remind me to be presentmdashreading to my oneyearold son and embracing a slow mindful start to my morningsrdquo says Ankita Thadanicofounder of Secret AlchemistEchoing the fastpaced life of many Mumbaikars Thadani has seemingly found joy in the magic of story time ldquoOne of the greatest joys in my day is reading to my little one The simplicity of childrenrsquos books the bright illustrations and the wonder in his eyes remind me of the magic in everyday life In those moments the world outside fades awaymdashemails notifications and deadlines become insignificant Watching him react to a story point at pictures or attempt to mimic sounds fills me with a contentment that no grand celebration can match This ritual is more than just storytelling it is about connection about immersing myself in his world without distractions It reminds me to slow down and experience life through his eyes where even the smallest thingsmdashlike a cat in a book or the sound of a turning pagemdashbring endless excitement It is a reminder that happiness isnrsquot found in big milestones alone but in these fleeting precious moments of togethernessrdquo she sharesAnother ritual she has cultivated is that of a slow and intentional morning ldquoThe other part of my day that brings me deep peace is the quiet 30 minutes before the world wakes up In that serene time I meditate sit in the soft morning sunlight and indulge in aromatherapymdasha practice deeply embedded in my life Using essential oils as part of my morning routine helps me ground myself and set the tone for the day The calming scent of lavender or the invigorating notes of citrus create an atmosphere of balance and clarity A warm glass of lemon water a few minutes of deep breathing and simply allowing myself to be present make all the difference This ritual isnrsquot about productivity itrsquos about alignmentmdashabout preparing myself mentally and emotionally before diving into the dayrsquos demands Happiness isnrsquot always in the extraordinarymdashitrsquos in the beautifully ordinaryrdquo Thadani concludes The entrepreneurrsquos belief of the lsquobeautifully ordinaryrsquo challenges conventional notions of happiness advocating for a deeper appreciation of the present momentFor me joy starts with a cup of ginger tea and some good musicAyush Chudiwala is a marketing professional by the week and an influencer over the weekend ldquoFor me joy starts with a cup of ginger tea and some good musicmdashsometimes spiritual other times retro or romantic Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day setting the tone for everything that follows especially when shared with family and friendsrdquo he sharesThe 29yearoldrsquos inclination towards sensory experiences and joy stemming from routine also extends to the way he pursues travelling ldquoI also find happiness in planning trips researching and crafting itineraries gives me something exciting to look forward to When it comes to holidays I gravitate toward destinations with beaches or islands I love to take it slow and immerse myself in the experience My day begins with a hearty breakfast at a cafe offering delicious morning spreadsmdasha relaxed twohour ritual where I sip coffee savour each bite and soak in the surroundingsrdquo he animatedly sharesWhile food is a central pillar of joy for him his preference for mindful travel runs deep ldquoExploring the destination brings me joy whether itrsquos wandering through quaint streets visiting local spots or simply finding a scenic corner to relax My afternoons are dedicated to sundowners a part of the day I eagerly look forward to Sitting at a beachside bar with a refreshing cocktail indulging in finger food and watching thesundip into the horizon is blissful By 800 PM Irsquom back at my room to freshen up before heading out for dinner I gravitate toward places that focus on exceptional food over aestheticsmdashauthentic flavours and hearty meals bring me joy every time My day ends on a sweet note with a scoop or two of ice cream This kind of holiday brings me immense joy Itrsquos not about rushing through activities but embracing a slower pace savouring each moment and letting the beauty of the destination create lasting memoriesrdquo recalls the travel enthusiast He also suggests that spending two hours at breakfast watching a sunset and eating ice cream these are all rather simple everyday occurrences that we can all include in our lives to find joyIn Mumbai finding joy isnt about grand gestures its about creating pockets of serenityFor me happiness in Mumbai is found in the quiet moments of reflection and connection with nature however fleetingrdquo says analyst Shinjini Sharma To balance the relentless pace of her job and the city the 30yearold swears by two essential rituals journaling and evening walks ldquoEach morning I dedicate time to journaling Its not about writing volumes but rather capturing thoughts feelings and intentions for the day This practice grounds me providing clarity amidst the citys chaos Its a personal space where I can process the days complexities and find inner peacerdquo she shares Journalling has been proven to offer a wide range of benefits for mental wellbeing While it can be an outlet to release pent up stress it can also enhance selfawarenessldquoEqually vital are my evening walks I prioritise these even if its just a short stroll around my office or residence On my days off I like to head to Carter Road or Marine Drive to walk along the promenade Watching the sunset paint the sky feeling the sea breeze and observing the citys gradual transition from day to night provides a sense of perspective It allows me to disconnect from screens and reconnect with my surroundings These walks are a form of moving meditation a chance to decompress and let go of the days stressesrdquo describes Sharma No matter how busy your jobs are she suggests including some physical activity in your everyday routine that will not only nourish your body but also your mindShe concludes ldquoIn Mumbai finding joy isnt about grand gestures its about creating pockets of serenity within the urban fabric Journaling and evening walks are my anchors reminding me that even amidst the citys hustle theres always space for quiet joy