BOTM #62: Joy Chose You (Nov/Dec 2025)
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Book TITLE: JOY CHOSE YOU
Author: DONNA ASHWORTH
Who Is This Book For?
For anyone who feels stuck, or lost, and wants to rediscover everyday happiness in the middle of life’s chaos.
Key TAKEAWAY:
Joy isn’t something we have to earn; it’s something that finds us when we slow down, open up, and notice the small things. Donna reminds us that even in difficult times, joy is always waiting to be chosen.
Key THEMES:
Poetry. Choosing joy. Gratitude. Presence. Midlife meaning. Emotional resilience.
GET THE BOOK
DONNA ON INSTAGRAM
Join our Substack live with Donna 1st December at 7pm (UK time)
“I believe wholeheartedly in the power of opening a daily poetry page to better everyone’s mental health and clear space within our minds... Poetry is not folly for the fancy, it is using words to shift perspectives, heal wounds and let in light again.”
Main Idea:
In Joy Chose You, poet and author Donna Ashworth invites us to find beauty in the ordinary and meaning in the mess. Through her signature mix of honesty, humour, and warmth, she reminds us that joy isn’t a finish line but a companion we can welcome, even on hard days. The book celebrates love, loss, friendship, and midlife as fertile ground for gratitude and growth.
3 REASONS TO READ:
It’s comfort food for our brain as the nights draw in: a poetic reminder to keep choosing lightness — even when the skies and life feel heavy.
Donna’s short reflections make it easy to dip in and find calm or inspiration in minutes.
It helps us all see that joy is not a luxury, but a daily practice — and a form of strength.
5 JournalLing Prompts:
When was the last time joy surprised you? What did it feel like in your body?
What small moments bring you quiet joy each day?
How can you make space for joy, even on a tough day?
Who or what helps you reconnect to gratitude when life feels overwhelming?
What would it look like to “choose joy” this week — in one simple action or thought?