The Importance of Joy in Sustaining Fulfilling Lives
Garrett Mason I March, 2025
Garrett Mason I March, 2025
“We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.”
In the classic film Annie, the lyrics “You’re never fully dressed without a smile” capture something very simple and vital—joy sustains us. Joy is more than just an emotion; it is a life force. It fuels motivation, improves mental and physical health, lowers stress, and increases longevity. Above all, joy makes life more bearable, no matter how difficult things may seem.
For youth experiencing housing insecurity, joy is often treated as a luxury. Yet, for many, it is the one thing that keeps them resilient. It reminds them that life holds more than just hardship, offering moments of hope and self-discovery in the midst of uncertainty and trauma-induced pain.
In the classic film Annie, the lyrics “You’re never fully dressed without a smile” capture something very simple and vital—joy sustains us. Joy is more than just an emotion; it is a life force. It fuels motivation, improves mental and physical health, lowers stress, and increases longevity. Above all, joy makes life more bearable, no matter how difficult things may seem.
For youth experiencing housing insecurity, joy is often treated as a luxury. Yet, for many, it is the one thing that keeps them resilient. It reminds them that life holds more than just hardship, offering moments of hope and self-discovery in the midst of uncertainty and trauma-induced pain.
For youth facing housing instability, joy is a “vital buffer” against the overwhelming stress and trauma they endure. Experiencing joy fosters hope, resilience, and a sense of self-worth, which are critical for navigating adversity.
The challenges that come with housing insecurity vary, but joy helps bridge the gap by fostering:
Joy is directly linked to doing what you love. Empowering youth to experience joy—whether through art, self-expression, or community—fosters confidence and independence, helping them build a vision for their future.
Holistic support for youth should extend beyond survival. Programs must acknowledge that access to joy is just as critical as access to housing, employment, and healthcare.
Comprehensive models like the Direct Cash Transfer and flexible fund programs demonstrate the power of financial freedom in creating opportunities for joy. By offering unconditional cash assistance alongside supportive services, we allow youth to focus on personal fulfillment rather than just surviving.
Funding joy is not an afterthought—it is necessary. Every young person deserves the freedom to dream, explore, and imagine a future full of possibility. Joy can be found in things big and small. By investing in resources that center joy, we provide youth with the confidence and security to step out of survival mode and into a life of intention.
If you have ever thought about questioning it, don’t. Youth know exactly what they need. They deserve resources that don’t just help them survive but allow them to thrive. Comprehensive, unconditional, and flexible cash assistance programs provide a transformative, youth-centered approach to combating housing insecurity. By shifting youth from “survival mode” to “dreaming,” we directly impact their long-term stability and success.
Radical resources and support create radical results. Let’s do the work and revel as the systems change.
– Garrett Mason