Making sweeping statements such as 'no sweets ever again' has never worked before, and it's not going to work now. You'll get quickly overwhelmed and punt on any positive momentum you created.

In a place that feels safe and private, constructively express your sadness by allowing yourself to cry. While crying, acknowledge your hurts and losses. Don't indulge any negative thoughts about yourself. Just keep telling yourself, "I'm fine. It's okay to cry. I just feel sad." You'll immediately feel washed clean, even joyful.

Across the board, it's infinitely more effective to praise actions that you want to encourage than to punish those you disapprove of.

Being alone in nature is another way to feel the joy of beauty - and oneness with a greater whole.

When you feel victimized or sad, just allow yourself to cry; you'll feel better and have more room to experience joy.

Your goal should be something that feels really right, not forced. Make sure your goal resonates with what’s true for you.

The process of setting a goal, learning the necessary steps to achieve it, and giving it your best until you've mastered it will generate high self-esteem and pride. Those are feelings associated with joy.