Katie Kritikos is a lawyer, lecturer and devoted mother of a 3-year-old boy. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a juris doctor and a master’s degree in library and information sciences. Upon graduation two decades ago, she opened a solo practice in rural Illinois, offering legal services in estate planning and real estate transactions. After three years, she shifted to working for the Illinois Attorney General in Chicago as a tax litigator.

Since 2018, Kritikos has been teaching information policy classes at the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences. In 2019, she launched her blog, Joyful Living With Katie Kritikos (KatieKritikos.com), sharing her passion for writing and insights on family and wellness with a wider audience. Since becoming a parent to a child with autism spectrum disorder and hearing loss, her interests now include disability advocacy and learning American Sign Language.

 

Why did you start your joyful living blog?

In these challenging times, I aim to spread positivity and joy, reminding people to find pleasure in simple things. My posts might include recipes, travel anecdotes or online journal entries, offering encouragement and inspiration for authenticity.

Social media influencer culture often lacks authenticity. I’m simple and not fancy. Real people interest me more than those who are overly curated. Many influencers are driven by advertising, which isn’t my goal. I want to explore my own authenticity through writing and focus on the concept of joyful living, inspired by the French phrase joie de vivre. I write about it to inspire others to consider its meaning in their lives. My mission is to remind anybody that your life is special and important just as it is. You never know who you might inspire. That’s the fun part of writing.

 

What is your definition of authenticity?

I’ve come to notice the social pressures I internalized through high school, college and even now as a mom. Authenticity means realizing I don’t have to follow other people’s paths. I can find what works for me and be true to myself. It’s a journey of self-discovery. At 40, authenticity means accepting myself as I am. I used to not like the way I looked, wishing I was taller or thinner. Many women go through this turmoil with their self-image. Now I like my body the way it is. Authenticity is about acceptance.

We all have people in our lives with traits we like and dislike, whether they’re a spouse, friend, partner, child, co-worker or family member. Meeting them where they are and supporting them is a gift you give them. Being open-minded is another aspect of acceptance. Given the political, economic and social challenges we face, I don’t see a path forward without being more accepting and open-minded.

 

What are some everyday activities that enhance authenticity?

Cultivate simple pleasures, find quiet moments and create rituals. It could be as simple as making a cup of tea, sitting on the back porch and looking out in a quiet moment. It's good to treat yourself nicely. People forget to do that.

A ritual could be your nighttime routine, which might include washing your face, putting on pajamas, lighting incense and playing a favorite song, or doing some stretching before bed. Establishing small routines can be healthy because we often rush through our to-do lists, moving from one activity to another. It's easy to go into autopilot, especially with busy days filled with family and work obligations.

 

How do you define joyful living?

Discovering your authentic self is a path to finding your joy, which is deeply personal. Joy is that calm, warm, content feeling inside, whether it’s for a moment or longer lasting. Media often portrays joy, especially during the holidays, with pictures of happy families surrounded by Christmas toys, but your family gathering may not look like that.

Joy is empowering because it doesn’t have to match what everyone else is doing for fun or happiness. Joy is a lifestyle and a choice. It’s about finding what works for you and then incorporating those things into your daily rituals. Focus on small, real-life actions and choices that resonate with you, not influencers or celebrities, to find your authentic self and more joy.

 

What are your methods for de-stressing or increasing calmness?

I love a good bath ritual. In the tub, you can’t fold laundry or put the dishes away. You can shut the door, get away and relax. I love aromatherapy and use different oils in the bath, which adds a ritualistic and self-care element, even if just for 10 minutes. A good soak helps me relax, especially before bed. I struggle with insomnia, but taking baths before bed and walking my dachshund, Charlie Brown, every morning helps.

 

What do you mean by embracing the joy of missing out?

FOMO—the fear of missing out—is most evident when you’re scrolling through Instagram, seeing others having fun and doing cool things, but those images are unrealistic and unsustainable. I prefer the joy of missing out, allowing me to focus on my life and celebrate what I get to do, instead of comparing my life to others. This approach nurtures my authentic self and also lets me try new experiences without expectations. If I visit the farmers market, do I have to post about it? Can I simply enjoy that experience? Do I need to get the likes and affirmations of other people to validate my experiences? I find it troubling if we're living just to show off for others.

 

How do you prioritize the leisurely over the hectic?

We're all trying to get through our to-do list and achieve goals, but this American success model typically focuses on accumulating awards and achievements. Eventually, you realize you’re just doing it for the accolades. Personally, I’ve moved away from the constant need to be busy, the illness of chronic busyness. I don't want to live like that.

You have to overcome the feeling of being lazy or uninteresting. Chronic busyness isn’t a healthy approach to joy or authenticity; it just increases stress. The joy of missing out goes hand in hand with a leisurely lifestyle and creating space for fun moments, which you might miss if you’re always scheduled.

 

How do you recover from an emotional slump?

Last year, my husband, George, unexpectedly lost his job, prompting us to move from Illinois to Vermont for a new position. We also learned that our son, Teddy, who is deaf in one ear, needs a cochlear implant and is on the autism spectrum. These changes left me feeling depressed about leaving our old home, shocked by my husband’s job loss and worried about my son. I had to decide how to handle these unexpected challenges and who I would become.

The answer is to stay positive and be kind to yourself. It took time to realize my feelings are valid. Feeling angry, tired or overwhelmed is okay. Constantly being happy, agreeable or obedient may stem from social expectations, but it’s important to acknowledge bad days without letting them spiral into depression.

Finding a support network, being honest about your feelings and asking for help are crucial. It takes strength to admit you don’t feel good, because we often feel pressured to be perfect. Communicating with my partner, parents and friends, checking in and seeking help are good ways to overcome feelings of being overwhelmed or low.

 

What are your tips for navigating holiday activities and responsibilities?

I choose not to say yes to everything, carefully selecting which events to attend and which gift-giving traditions to follow. Should we give gifts this year? If so, should we draw names or only give to the kids? Should we have a potluck? The key is communication, managing expectations and boundaries, and confidently saying no when needed, especially during the holidays.

You can’t do it all, and it’s not fun if you’re constantly rushing. Joy is personal, so be aware of the advertising and media portrayals of the holidays. Remember, it’s just advertising, not your path. Focus on what truly excites you. It’s not about the number of parties you attend, but the enjoyment you get from the ones you do.

 

Can we make a difference with eco-friendly choices?

You read the news about tons of plastic being dredged from the ocean, and it’s easy to think it doesn’t matter or that you can’t do anything. But every person makes a difference. You can impact someone’s life today and make it a good day for them. You can use your reusable bag, and maybe someone will see you and start doing it, too. Do what you can and don’t worry about the rest. This approach has helped me feel better about recycling and being more eco-friendly. I can’t solve all the problems, but I can avoid contributing to them.

 

Do you have hope?

Yes, I do. There have been days, weeks and even months when I felt hopeless, confused and lost, whether due to my husband’s job loss and its impact on our family or the broader global issues seen in the news. It’s easy to feel hopeless, but I remind myself that I am one person, capable of doing what one person can do. I love my child and my neighbor, and when I interact with others, I strive to make it positive. It makes me feel good, and maybe it makes them feel good, too. That’s where hope starts for me: continuing to smile, holding the door, checking in on someone, following up with those struggling, and lending a hand. That’s all I can do, but I can do it, so I will.

I don’t want my child to grow up and think there’s no hope. Focusing on joy during tough times might seem foolish or selfish, but I think it’s radical and revolutionary. Some might call self-care selfish, but I completely disagree. As Audre Lorde, a black activist and feminist librarian, said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation.” We deserve to take care of ourselves. By channeling our joy and being our authentic selves, we can inspire others. We need each other now more than ever, so we need to be our best selves. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential for continuing the fight and spreading hope and joy.

 

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

Related Articles: