Finding Joy in Foggy Times

MindfulnessWhile much of the country swelters under record heat, San Francisco is experiencing its coolest summer since 1985. As we move from No Sky July into Fogust, I’ve found myself missing the sun and noticing how closely the overcast skies reflect my mood. 

These are heavy times. The emotional weight of unrest, uncertainty, and relentless demands is real. We’re asked to do more and be more: care for more patients, inspire more learners, push the boundaries of research — often with fewer resources and less time. On top of that are policy shifts and actions at the national level that undermine our shared PRIDE Values: professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence. It's no surprise that burnout and moral distress are so widespread.   

Purpose


And yet, it’s in moments like these that we most need to make space for joy. Not as a distraction or denial of what’s hard, but as a way to ground ourselves. Joy is a source of power, a radical act of resistance and renewal, especially in tough times like these.       

Joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness is fleeting, often driven by circumstances and accomplishments. Joy is rooted in purpose, connection, and resilience. Joy can exist even during difficulty. It helps us to show up, not just when things go well, but especially when they don’t. 

Ross Gay, poet and essayist, wrote, “Joy is a condition that emanates from our being aware at a moment that we are connected to something bigger than ourselves.” It is entirely because joy is not borne of happiness, ease, and pleasure that I can encourage us to seek joy now. “Joy is the light that emanates from us when we help each other carry our sorrows” (Ross Gay, Inciting Joy: Essays, 2022). 

Joy offers light, not despite the darkness, but through it. Joy lives alongside fear, anger, and sadness. It doesn’t replace them; it coexists. (Pixar’s Inside Out got that right.) Joy nourishes our spirits, connects us to others, and strengthens our sense of purpose. Seeking joy means pausing to notice beauty, celebrating small victories, laughing out loud, and resting without guilt.  

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement emphasizes the importance of joy in the workplace. When we reconnect with our “why,” we open the door to greater meaning and joy. Institutions that promote joy see higher retention, stronger mentorship, and better learner outcomes.  
 

So, how can we cultivate joy? 

Connection

  1. Reconnect with purpose. Ask those around you what matters to them about their work. Share their stories in meetings or newsletters.

  1. Foster connection, networking, and belonging. As we return to the office, let’s bring back chatting at the water station, in the hallway, wherever we gather. Hold interdisciplinary lunches, coffee breaks, or even a bake-off. Attend or host a DOMINOs 2.0 event. Community matters. 

  1. Acknowledge and celebrate each other. Show appreciation often. Give a shoutout or send gratitude to the colleague who lends a hand with a project, a patient, or a task. Try Thankful Thursdays — carve out time each Thursday for kudos. Collect stories of appreciation, and send them to me, Urmimala, or Aaron to showcase across the department. 

  1. Try NPR's Joy Generator. Take a few minutes each day to reconnect with what brings you meaning. Remember, you need to center wellness to let in joy. 


Tell me what you do to cultivate joy — I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

May we continue to live our values. May we show up for one another. May we pay attention to what has heart and meaning. And may we find joy. 

Meshell Johnson, MDMeshell Johnson, MD 
Professor and Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine for the SFVAHCS 
DOM Associate Chair for Community, Opportunity, Recognition, and Engagement