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The Joy Plan: How I Took 30 Days to Stop Worrying, Quit Complaining, and Find Ridiculous Happiness
As a mother, a wife, and a businesswoman, Kaia Roman always had a plan. But when her biggest plan, the business she cofounded, collapsed, Kaia found herself crushed by depression. And what felt even worse was that, with a husband and two kids relying on her to get out of bed, she didn't have a plan to move forward.
Determined to turn her life around and put her ingrained habits of stress and anxiety behind her, Kaia decided to put everything else on hold and dedicate thirty days to the singular pursuit of joy. The results were astonishing-and lasted much longer than the initial monthlong project.
In this uplifting and eye-opening memoir, Kaia uses her business savvy to create a concrete Joy Plan to get back on her feet fast. Using scientific research on hormones, neurotransmitters, and mindfulness, along with the daily dedication to creating a more joyful existence, Kaia teaches readers how to move past temporary happiness and succeed in creating joy that lasts.
Complete with advice, exercises, and key takeaways, The Joy Plan is Kaia's step-by-step guide to how she, and everyone else, can ditch the negative and plan for the joy in their lives.
Determined to turn her life around and put her ingrained habits of stress and anxiety behind her, Kaia decided to put everything else on hold and dedicate thirty days to the singular pursuit of joy. The results were astonishing-and lasted much longer than the initial monthlong project.
In this uplifting and eye-opening memoir, Kaia uses her business savvy to create a concrete Joy Plan to get back on her feet fast. Using scientific research on hormones, neurotransmitters, and mindfulness, along with the daily dedication to creating a more joyful existence, Kaia teaches readers how to move past temporary happiness and succeed in creating joy that lasts.
Complete with advice, exercises, and key takeaways, The Joy Plan is Kaia's step-by-step guide to how she, and everyone else, can ditch the negative and plan for the joy in their lives.
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2017
134 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
Kaia Roman
5 books19 followersKaia Roman has been writing books since she was five years old. She believes in the healing power of words and stories. The Joy Plan is her first memoir/personal growth book. Over the past twenty years, Kaia has been a planner, publicist, ghost writer, and editor for people, projects, and products working toward a better world. She’s now a full-time writer and frequent blogger on mindbodygreen.com, The Huffington Post, and other wellness sites. She also has the honor of teaching Mindfulness to elementary school children. When she’s not in another country with her globe-trotting family, Kaia lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband and two magical daughters.
To sign up for Kaia’s newsletter and read her blog, visit TheJoyPlan.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—she loves to hear from readers!
To sign up for Kaia’s newsletter and read her blog, visit TheJoyPlan.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—she loves to hear from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 26, 2017
OK, Kaia is my daughter. I'm crazy about her. I was eager to read a pre-publication copy of The Joy Plan, thinking I'll probably learn something about Kaia, and that'll be good. To my surprise, I ended up learning a lot about myself! The information in the Joy Plan has a universal appeal and application. The plan is simple, and contains measurable steps. It's psychologically and scientifically sound. To embark on a joy plan is challenging and fun. And, of course, Kaia is so lovable, and her writing, so sincere and readable, that spending time with the Joy Plan is like spending time with a wise, loving friend. Thank you for writing this book, Kaia!
February 20, 2022
I had been listening to this audiobook for several days when I ran across this passage:
“I just couldn’t stop worrying about everything.
‘Kaia, just relax,’ my mom had said.
‘I’m trying as hard as I can,’ I exclaimed.”
Oh my, I thought. I remember that. In fact, I'd written it down; I liked it so much.
Still later, I found this passage:
REMEMBER THESE THINGS
1. You are responsible for your own experience.
2. Start each day with gratitude.
3. Whenever possible, ignore or avoid anything that makes you feel bad.
4. Keep a mental portfolio of happy thoughts you can refer back to regularly.
5. Exercise until you sweat at least three times a week.
6. Look for opportunities to smile and laugh.
7. Walk outside, look around, and marvel at what a miracle it all is.
8. Indulge your five senses in some form of pleasure every day.
9. When in doubt, drink more water and eat more vegetables.
10. If you are having relationship troubles with your spouse, make love. Most of the time that will solve it.
11. Nothing is ever as big a deal as you think it is.
12. Complaining about something is telling the universe you’d like a second helping, please.
13. You don’t have to be defined or limited by your hardships.
14. There’s no such thing as failure, only research and plot twists.
15. When things are hard, remember you are on the verge of a breakthrough.
16. The key to success isn’t intelligence or money; it’s faith.
17. Parking spots and cookies are just as easy to manifest as dream jobs and financial abundance.
18. The universe has a creative way to fulfill all your desires beyond what you can imagine. Your fear and worry only get in the way.
19. Look for ways to say yes instead of no.
20. Always come back to gratitude.
Oh yes, I copied these into my journal, too.
Clearly I needed to read this book again.
So I did. Over and over. I listened to the whole book once, twice, and then I randomly went back and listened to the chapters I enjoyed the most.
Very, very helpful book.
“I just couldn’t stop worrying about everything.
‘Kaia, just relax,’ my mom had said.
‘I’m trying as hard as I can,’ I exclaimed.”
Oh my, I thought. I remember that. In fact, I'd written it down; I liked it so much.
Still later, I found this passage:
REMEMBER THESE THINGS
1. You are responsible for your own experience.
2. Start each day with gratitude.
3. Whenever possible, ignore or avoid anything that makes you feel bad.
4. Keep a mental portfolio of happy thoughts you can refer back to regularly.
5. Exercise until you sweat at least three times a week.
6. Look for opportunities to smile and laugh.
7. Walk outside, look around, and marvel at what a miracle it all is.
8. Indulge your five senses in some form of pleasure every day.
9. When in doubt, drink more water and eat more vegetables.
10. If you are having relationship troubles with your spouse, make love. Most of the time that will solve it.
11. Nothing is ever as big a deal as you think it is.
12. Complaining about something is telling the universe you’d like a second helping, please.
13. You don’t have to be defined or limited by your hardships.
14. There’s no such thing as failure, only research and plot twists.
15. When things are hard, remember you are on the verge of a breakthrough.
16. The key to success isn’t intelligence or money; it’s faith.
17. Parking spots and cookies are just as easy to manifest as dream jobs and financial abundance.
18. The universe has a creative way to fulfill all your desires beyond what you can imagine. Your fear and worry only get in the way.
19. Look for ways to say yes instead of no.
20. Always come back to gratitude.
Oh yes, I copied these into my journal, too.
Clearly I needed to read this book again.
So I did. Over and over. I listened to the whole book once, twice, and then I randomly went back and listened to the chapters I enjoyed the most.
Very, very helpful book.
November 24, 2017
How easy it is to find ourselves back in the race car of stress and busy-ness that so many of us live as the norm here in America. A week off at Thanksgiving reminded me to get out of the car and put my feet up while I read this life-changing book. Kaia Roman was physically and mentally exhausted after the company she’d help create went belly-up. Inspired in part by the way her Pandora tunes list became closer and closer to a list of songs she loved by simply marking each one thumbs-up or thumbs-down, Roman decided to go further and treat her day-to-day life in the same manner. In the process she began to eat more healthy and delicious food, stop complaining, and start and end her day with gratitude.
September 23, 2017
This book is a very good mix of personal empowering story/memoir and self-help.
Finding joy, even in the small things in life, isn't easy. This book helps with examples and practical advice. It's not as impossible as you might think to find your way to a more joyful life.
Finding joy, even in the small things in life, isn't easy. This book helps with examples and practical advice. It's not as impossible as you might think to find your way to a more joyful life.
May 19, 2017
In this "practical memoir," Kaia tells the story of her rise from depression and anxiety with a journey towards joy. The open-hearted memoir embodies a beautiful balance between science and spirituality, and between the personal and the universal. I tore through my advance reader copy, taken by Kaia's story and eager to apply all of her tips to bring more joy, more positivity into my own life. Told in the context of Kaia's personal experience, the book is like a highlight reel of personal growth strategies -- so many spiritual / well-being / gratitude practices I've read about, been interested in, but will now (thanks to The Joy Plan!) actively incorporate into my life. Thank you Kaia for sharing your story, sharing your soul, sharing your journey... here's to more Joy for everyone!
June 30, 2017
4 stars
This book is about finding and living your joy. Duh, huh?
Well, Kaia Roman does a great job of showing (not just telling) how she found her way to living her own joy. I felt this was half memoir half self-help book. I learned a lot from following along with Kaia’s life journey. I felt her pain when she wanted her husband to live his joy and not stay in the job he dreaded. I felt her joy as she discovered her true path and how to find it on her own from stumbling block to stumbling block.
When her big dream unraveled in the beginning, I was devastated for her. This was her chance to prove she was somebody. But in her failure, she let her husband down, who was counting on this big dream to pay off since they had sunk so much money and time into it. I kept thinking… “how do you recover from that?”
Kaia Roman shows you how. Step-by-step.
Give the Joy Plan a try. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This book is about finding and living your joy. Duh, huh?
Well, Kaia Roman does a great job of showing (not just telling) how she found her way to living her own joy. I felt this was half memoir half self-help book. I learned a lot from following along with Kaia’s life journey. I felt her pain when she wanted her husband to live his joy and not stay in the job he dreaded. I felt her joy as she discovered her true path and how to find it on her own from stumbling block to stumbling block.
When her big dream unraveled in the beginning, I was devastated for her. This was her chance to prove she was somebody. But in her failure, she let her husband down, who was counting on this big dream to pay off since they had sunk so much money and time into it. I kept thinking… “how do you recover from that?”
Kaia Roman shows you how. Step-by-step.
Give the Joy Plan a try. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
March 23, 2023
A great resource for forming new, positive thought patterns. Definitely not your normal self-help book, this one. That seemed to me more like a self-help and memoir hybrid. It stands out because it mixes a gripping narrative with relevant facts, analysis, and science. This book was so fascinating because it told the story of a lady who so many of us can identify with a normal person with a spouse, kids, a job, and a mortgage and who discovered a special road to success and pleasure. It's a very frank and open discussion of how to rewire your brain to be authentic and joyous.
June 6, 2018
I liked this more than I thought I was going to. Love the format - thought it was a unique, graspable way to lay out her ideas like a business plan. I loved her tone and voice. Very relatable and offered some real gems for bringing more joy into your life.
February 10, 2022
I found this book thought-provoking and inspirational.
August 18, 2017
Absolutely nothing new in this book, was very disappointed.
March 19, 2025
I've read this book 4 or 5 times now, and it always gets me so pumped up and excited about what life could be with a different perspective. I love the brain research and even the spiritual/mystical? perspectives. Solid book for people who like lists/plans and want to create more joy in their lives
November 26, 2019
Good read...scanned it mostly but some little jewels tucked in there
December 31, 2023
Listened to the 7-hr audiobook, which is read by an older American-accent female (Christina Moore) and suitable for 1.5x speed. Took a break August to December. I’ve already recommended it to a friend who happened to have just been let go from his job and he said he enjoyed it too.
This book truly comes from a good heart. I don’t doubt the unicorn-rainbow hat caused some feathers to ruffle as this book also shines with a little privilege. There are wonderful pieces of advice scattered throughout the book and maybe one can accept that not everyone will be able to mine them. Would recommend again, as new perspectives are what make us drive new changes, and I want everyone to be happier.
Favourite Quotes:
"Perhaps my vibe had attracted my reality, or perhaps it was just my brain."
"… I should enter into this with the hope that 30 days might long enough to give me the perspective to see my way through to the next step."
During meditation: "Leave your front door and back door open, let thoughts come and go. Just don’t serve them tea." ~ Shunryu Suzuki, meditation guru
"Eudaimonia: Those aspects of well-being that transcend immediate self-gratification and connect people to something larger." ~ Barbara Frederickson, on human flourishing
"Reach for a higher emotion."
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." ~ Anne Lamont
"The brain cannot be in a state of fear and appreciation at the same time. They can alternate but they are mutually exclusive."
"Humans are not separate from nature, they are an extension of it."
"When you connect with nature, you connect with your true nature."
"Our experience of life is shaped by what we say about it."
"Partners who appreciate each other, stay together longer."
"I felt grateful that things are always working out for me, that magic is the natural course of things, and that there is nothing I have to do to make it happen except allow it. The path comes to me."
"If every eight-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." ~ Dalai Lama
"The energy of a problem is very different than the energy of a solution."
"Life isn’t about finding yourself: life is about creating yourself." ~ George Bernard Shaw
"When we interact with someone, we imitate them. We become more like them. Other people are very contagious, even if you just think about them your prejudices and your observations of their behaviour automatically make you become - for a moment - more like the person you’re interacting with."
"Thinking about What should feel dreamy… thinking about Why should feel exciting."
"Research shows that Daydreaming ultimately boosts success in goal-oriented tasks by encouraging the brain to solve problems in new and creative ways… Daydreaming can help your brain multi-task."
"The point is not for you to do something that’s never been done before. The point is for you to do something you’ve never done before." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
"We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are." ~ proverb
"I am alive… What a blessing… What a gift. "
"I realized that I had been home all along. Joy was always inside me because joy is my natural state of being, when I remember to look within for it."
How to return to joy: "Seek small moments of grace and beauty. Reconnect with my true self."
"It’s the journey that counts, not the destination."
"Transformation doesn’t come from the light; it comes from moving through the darkness."
This book truly comes from a good heart. I don’t doubt the unicorn-rainbow hat caused some feathers to ruffle as this book also shines with a little privilege. There are wonderful pieces of advice scattered throughout the book and maybe one can accept that not everyone will be able to mine them. Would recommend again, as new perspectives are what make us drive new changes, and I want everyone to be happier.
Favourite Quotes:
"Perhaps my vibe had attracted my reality, or perhaps it was just my brain."
"… I should enter into this with the hope that 30 days might long enough to give me the perspective to see my way through to the next step."
During meditation: "Leave your front door and back door open, let thoughts come and go. Just don’t serve them tea." ~ Shunryu Suzuki, meditation guru
"Eudaimonia: Those aspects of well-being that transcend immediate self-gratification and connect people to something larger." ~ Barbara Frederickson, on human flourishing
"Reach for a higher emotion."
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." ~ Anne Lamont
"The brain cannot be in a state of fear and appreciation at the same time. They can alternate but they are mutually exclusive."
"Humans are not separate from nature, they are an extension of it."
"When you connect with nature, you connect with your true nature."
"Our experience of life is shaped by what we say about it."
"Partners who appreciate each other, stay together longer."
"I felt grateful that things are always working out for me, that magic is the natural course of things, and that there is nothing I have to do to make it happen except allow it. The path comes to me."
"If every eight-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." ~ Dalai Lama
"The energy of a problem is very different than the energy of a solution."
"Life isn’t about finding yourself: life is about creating yourself." ~ George Bernard Shaw
"When we interact with someone, we imitate them. We become more like them. Other people are very contagious, even if you just think about them your prejudices and your observations of their behaviour automatically make you become - for a moment - more like the person you’re interacting with."
"Thinking about What should feel dreamy… thinking about Why should feel exciting."
"Research shows that Daydreaming ultimately boosts success in goal-oriented tasks by encouraging the brain to solve problems in new and creative ways… Daydreaming can help your brain multi-task."
"The point is not for you to do something that’s never been done before. The point is for you to do something you’ve never done before." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
"We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are." ~ proverb
"I am alive… What a blessing… What a gift. "
"I realized that I had been home all along. Joy was always inside me because joy is my natural state of being, when I remember to look within for it."
How to return to joy: "Seek small moments of grace and beauty. Reconnect with my true self."
"It’s the journey that counts, not the destination."
"Transformation doesn’t come from the light; it comes from moving through the darkness."
October 22, 2017
The author, Kaia Roman describes the steps she took to a more joy filled life. She lists the actual steps as well as describes the impact they had onher life.
Although this book seems a little simplistic and "same-old-same-old", it can't hurt to try it.
Basic steps:
1)Find a free month-well, we can't all do that...
2) Give thumbs up amd thumbs down to your experiences through out the day to let the Universe know what you like and don't like; or to help you be aware about the same.
3) Spend time doing things that make you feel good: long baths, naps, talk to friends, walk on the beach, etc. Try to pamper all the senses: taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell
4) Stop complaining--cut it out cold turkey, and don't go along when others, even strangers in the grocery store do.
5) Learn to live in each moment, that is all we have, and the future never gets here.
6) Trust God, the Universe, yourself, whomever, Just Trust
7) Gratitude Journal every day 15 minutes
8) Gratitude at night, think of one thing for each letter of the alphabet, or 12 Days of Christmas it--my idea, not hers.
9) Meditate
10) Learn deep breathing-and use it
11)Lean in to what you don't want. Accept it and then it is supposed to go away, it worked with her when she couldn't conceive and then she got pregnant.
12) If you are havkng a thumbs down experience think about how you can make it better even if you can't change it to a thumbs up.
13) Learn to accept yourself and your lack of joy. This one is mine, but I find whe I stop trying to be what "society" says I shoud, joyful, not depressed, not lazy,etc. if wreaks havoc; it works better for me to accept it and it usually goes away on its own then.
14)Day dream and visualize/ write a movie for yourself and what you want your life to be.
You don't have to do these all at once. She did them in stages. She also took longer than 30 days, she kept adding to this after he initial 30 days and now calls it a lifestyle.
Although this book seems a little simplistic and "same-old-same-old", it can't hurt to try it.
Basic steps:
1)Find a free month-well, we can't all do that...
2) Give thumbs up amd thumbs down to your experiences through out the day to let the Universe know what you like and don't like; or to help you be aware about the same.
3) Spend time doing things that make you feel good: long baths, naps, talk to friends, walk on the beach, etc. Try to pamper all the senses: taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell
4) Stop complaining--cut it out cold turkey, and don't go along when others, even strangers in the grocery store do.
5) Learn to live in each moment, that is all we have, and the future never gets here.
6) Trust God, the Universe, yourself, whomever, Just Trust
7) Gratitude Journal every day 15 minutes
8) Gratitude at night, think of one thing for each letter of the alphabet, or 12 Days of Christmas it--my idea, not hers.
9) Meditate
10) Learn deep breathing-and use it
11)Lean in to what you don't want. Accept it and then it is supposed to go away, it worked with her when she couldn't conceive and then she got pregnant.
12) If you are havkng a thumbs down experience think about how you can make it better even if you can't change it to a thumbs up.
13) Learn to accept yourself and your lack of joy. This one is mine, but I find whe I stop trying to be what "society" says I shoud, joyful, not depressed, not lazy,etc. if wreaks havoc; it works better for me to accept it and it usually goes away on its own then.
14)Day dream and visualize/ write a movie for yourself and what you want your life to be.
You don't have to do these all at once. She did them in stages. She also took longer than 30 days, she kept adding to this after he initial 30 days and now calls it a lifestyle.
July 2, 2017
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Four years ago I found myself at a big turning point in my life. For the first time I looked for a psychologist to help me, and our work together lasted about 5 months. One of the many things I brought with me from this period of my life was this: when you change your attitude, the world around you changes to adjust to you. Throughout those 5 months, and for the years since, I had the chance to see and believe this.
When I read the description of this book on Netgalley, I figured it would have a lot to do with my therapist’s advice. I was right. Kaia Roman was also at a very low point, with no idea how to get out of it when she started the Joy Plan at the suggestion of a friend. Like me, she witnessed how the world around you morphs to match your energy. But while I mostly carry that knowledge around (and sometimes forget to use it), she created a system and turned it into a book.
It’s a very enjoyable book, a lot lighter than the usual personal development books I’m used to reading. It reads a lot like a memoir, which accounts for the lightness, but it has plenty of advice one can follow to improve life.
Along with the story of how Kaia turned her life around, she described the steps she followed, the challenges, the points where she had to reevaluate her plan. Not everything is viable for everyone to implement, but there is good advice in there.
One things I don’t like in this book is that the bits of science added throughout the chapters are very superficial. Of course I don’t expect the book to go deep into research mode, but it felt that the scientific information was there just to fill space and lend a bit of credibility to the points the book makes.
Still, it’s a good, useful read, which I recommend.
Four years ago I found myself at a big turning point in my life. For the first time I looked for a psychologist to help me, and our work together lasted about 5 months. One of the many things I brought with me from this period of my life was this: when you change your attitude, the world around you changes to adjust to you. Throughout those 5 months, and for the years since, I had the chance to see and believe this.
When I read the description of this book on Netgalley, I figured it would have a lot to do with my therapist’s advice. I was right. Kaia Roman was also at a very low point, with no idea how to get out of it when she started the Joy Plan at the suggestion of a friend. Like me, she witnessed how the world around you morphs to match your energy. But while I mostly carry that knowledge around (and sometimes forget to use it), she created a system and turned it into a book.
It’s a very enjoyable book, a lot lighter than the usual personal development books I’m used to reading. It reads a lot like a memoir, which accounts for the lightness, but it has plenty of advice one can follow to improve life.
Along with the story of how Kaia turned her life around, she described the steps she followed, the challenges, the points where she had to reevaluate her plan. Not everything is viable for everyone to implement, but there is good advice in there.
One things I don’t like in this book is that the bits of science added throughout the chapters are very superficial. Of course I don’t expect the book to go deep into research mode, but it felt that the scientific information was there just to fill space and lend a bit of credibility to the points the book makes.
Still, it’s a good, useful read, which I recommend.
September 16, 2020
This self-help book went pretty heavy on the scientific reasoning behind why people are unhappy, and I appreciated when it referenced peer-reviewed studies on mindfulness and such. However, the main premise behind the book is "You make your own reality" and that "All moments should be appreciated, including the lows." So...for example, being robbed at gunpoint should be appreciated? A beloved relative dying should be appreciated? Being diagnosed with a terminal disease should be appreciated? I don't think so.
To me, this book came from a place a privilege. It's funny, because Kaia does somewhat point that out in one chapter where she talks about projecting your joy into the world (and how some people can be jealous of your joy). In summary, she describes her life as, "I have nothing to really be upset by. I have two awesome daughters. I eat a healthy vegetarian diet and exercise. I have a loving husband. I have an amazing house in Santa Cruz, CA and get to go visit the beach all the time, I have an awesome group of lady friends who uplift me." Meanwhile, I'm still living in an apartment...drowning in student debt...I'm watching my family fall apart...I don't really have any close friends...I have trouble focusing on anything anymore...I don't necessarily love my career. Part of me wants to believe that all you have to do is shift your way of thinking and that's all it takes to become joyful (and then just keep it up for 30 days-6 months and you should be good), but sometimes depression is not as easy as flicking an internal switch inside of yourself and chanting a mantra of "Don't worry, be happy."
I did like some of the exercises that were outlined at the end of the book. So I'll try to incorporate some of them into my life, if at the very least so that I can start practicing mindfulness more effectively.
To me, this book came from a place a privilege. It's funny, because Kaia does somewhat point that out in one chapter where she talks about projecting your joy into the world (and how some people can be jealous of your joy). In summary, she describes her life as, "I have nothing to really be upset by. I have two awesome daughters. I eat a healthy vegetarian diet and exercise. I have a loving husband. I have an amazing house in Santa Cruz, CA and get to go visit the beach all the time, I have an awesome group of lady friends who uplift me." Meanwhile, I'm still living in an apartment...drowning in student debt...I'm watching my family fall apart...I don't really have any close friends...I have trouble focusing on anything anymore...I don't necessarily love my career. Part of me wants to believe that all you have to do is shift your way of thinking and that's all it takes to become joyful (and then just keep it up for 30 days-6 months and you should be good), but sometimes depression is not as easy as flicking an internal switch inside of yourself and chanting a mantra of "Don't worry, be happy."
I did like some of the exercises that were outlined at the end of the book. So I'll try to incorporate some of them into my life, if at the very least so that I can start practicing mindfulness more effectively.
July 25, 2017
Kaia Roman felt down-and-out after her business collapsed. She was seeking direction in her role as a wife, mother, friend and business woman. She consulted a friend and decided to devote the next 30 days of her life to creating JOY!
Ms. Roman discovered that The Joy Plan was much more than a 30 day project.
Joy and happiness became a lifestyle that would change her life and the lives of her loved ones.
This is both a memoir and a self-help book for anyone who is seeking joy and a positive lifestyle.
What is a joy plan and how do you make one?
I think we would all like more joy in our lives. While happiness is a state of mind based on circumstances, joy is an internal feeling that disregards circumstances.
Kaia Roman explained how she started the joy plan by asking a single question; "Does this feel good?" As the author learned to choose positive thoughts and attitudes, her life took a joyful turn. She was attracting positive people and experiences into her life.
I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. Roman provided a detailed account of the ups and downs that she experienced on her quest for joy. She cited an impressive number of references and resources for further study. There is an excellent discussion guide at the end of the book to be used with a study group or just a review of the reading material.
I am currently taking a MOOC on Positive Psychology at Coursera. The experiences chronicled in this book demonstrate that positive emotions CAN change your life for the better. I applaud Ms. Roman for writing this book and thank her for showing us how to "stop worrying, quit complaining, and find ridiculous happiness."
FYI - I received a digital review copy of this book from Net Galley.
Ms. Roman discovered that The Joy Plan was much more than a 30 day project.
Joy and happiness became a lifestyle that would change her life and the lives of her loved ones.
This is both a memoir and a self-help book for anyone who is seeking joy and a positive lifestyle.
What is a joy plan and how do you make one?
I think we would all like more joy in our lives. While happiness is a state of mind based on circumstances, joy is an internal feeling that disregards circumstances.
Kaia Roman explained how she started the joy plan by asking a single question; "Does this feel good?" As the author learned to choose positive thoughts and attitudes, her life took a joyful turn. She was attracting positive people and experiences into her life.
I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. Roman provided a detailed account of the ups and downs that she experienced on her quest for joy. She cited an impressive number of references and resources for further study. There is an excellent discussion guide at the end of the book to be used with a study group or just a review of the reading material.
I am currently taking a MOOC on Positive Psychology at Coursera. The experiences chronicled in this book demonstrate that positive emotions CAN change your life for the better. I applaud Ms. Roman for writing this book and thank her for showing us how to "stop worrying, quit complaining, and find ridiculous happiness."
FYI - I received a digital review copy of this book from Net Galley.
July 26, 2017
Isn't Kaia a beautiful name? I love it. And I love Kaia's book THE JOY PLAN. As a woman who has been on a Joy Journey for close to 10 years, Kaia's book is right on target with my own joy plan. Her book is a wonderful story of finding joy in difficult circumstances--which is what I've been saying and writing about myself!
The one thing that interests me the most about THE JOY PLAN is that Kaia is clearly not a Christian. She doesn't pretend to be and is clear that while she believes in a higher power, she is not a believer in the sense that Christians are. I respect her honesty and I sincerely appreciate that she doesn't try to pretend to be someone or something she's not. With that being said, that means that much of Kaia's information comes from a very clinical, scientific, and psychological perspective on JOY. All of which is truly fascinating and more interesting than I thought it would be. It is truly eye-opening to read about how the brain works and how we can train our brains to help us have more JOY.
As a believer--Christian, I do want to say that while I agree with Kaia's scientific explanations, I see through the eyes of someone who believes that JOY comes in knowing and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. That He gives us JOY unspeakable and full of glory.
I am not arguing with Kaia's premise in any way. I hope you will read THE JOY PLAN. All I'm saying is that while Kaia comes at her JOY journey from a clinical perspective, I come at mine from a spiritual, faith-based perspective. As she clearly states in her book, everyone's JOY journey is different. The important thing is that we are on the journey.
Just in case you're interested, this is a link to my own blog about Joy: https://joyregardless.blogspot.com/
The one thing that interests me the most about THE JOY PLAN is that Kaia is clearly not a Christian. She doesn't pretend to be and is clear that while she believes in a higher power, she is not a believer in the sense that Christians are. I respect her honesty and I sincerely appreciate that she doesn't try to pretend to be someone or something she's not. With that being said, that means that much of Kaia's information comes from a very clinical, scientific, and psychological perspective on JOY. All of which is truly fascinating and more interesting than I thought it would be. It is truly eye-opening to read about how the brain works and how we can train our brains to help us have more JOY.
As a believer--Christian, I do want to say that while I agree with Kaia's scientific explanations, I see through the eyes of someone who believes that JOY comes in knowing and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. That He gives us JOY unspeakable and full of glory.
I am not arguing with Kaia's premise in any way. I hope you will read THE JOY PLAN. All I'm saying is that while Kaia comes at her JOY journey from a clinical perspective, I come at mine from a spiritual, faith-based perspective. As she clearly states in her book, everyone's JOY journey is different. The important thing is that we are on the journey.
Just in case you're interested, this is a link to my own blog about Joy: https://joyregardless.blogspot.com/
June 22, 2017
I received an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading inspirational self-help books, and The Joy Plan is my top pick of 2017. The author's former life is like the rest of us--some good, some bad, plenty of stress and worry, and going through the motions of life without feeling truly fulfilled. She experiences that pivotal moment of hitting rock bottom, prompting her to change things. And instead of changing jobs, locations or relationships, she realizes she'll make the most impact by changing how she thinks. Her plan to follow a path of joy for 30 days amidst the anxiety of daily life has plenty of ups and downs but the self-discovery she experiences will inspire every reader to adopt at least some of the changes she suggests.
I love when an author can marry science and a little woo-woo and make it fit into everyday life. She offers plenty of research to back up why her exercises work and why they're worth the time and effort. She also makes it clear this isn't a quick fix for whatever ails you. What it will offer is a better understanding of what you want, what you need, and most importantly, how to focus on what you feel to guide you along your path.
Quick fix or not, I plan to adopt many of her suggestions because I see the value. I recommend grabbing a friend (or three!) and working through the book together. Follow the discussion questions at the back of the book to help find and follow your joy.
I love reading inspirational self-help books, and The Joy Plan is my top pick of 2017. The author's former life is like the rest of us--some good, some bad, plenty of stress and worry, and going through the motions of life without feeling truly fulfilled. She experiences that pivotal moment of hitting rock bottom, prompting her to change things. And instead of changing jobs, locations or relationships, she realizes she'll make the most impact by changing how she thinks. Her plan to follow a path of joy for 30 days amidst the anxiety of daily life has plenty of ups and downs but the self-discovery she experiences will inspire every reader to adopt at least some of the changes she suggests.
I love when an author can marry science and a little woo-woo and make it fit into everyday life. She offers plenty of research to back up why her exercises work and why they're worth the time and effort. She also makes it clear this isn't a quick fix for whatever ails you. What it will offer is a better understanding of what you want, what you need, and most importantly, how to focus on what you feel to guide you along your path.
Quick fix or not, I plan to adopt many of her suggestions because I see the value. I recommend grabbing a friend (or three!) and working through the book together. Follow the discussion questions at the back of the book to help find and follow your joy.
July 25, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review
I have been surprised by a lot of books this year, more so than over the last few years, and I hope this will be a continuous trend, as – in my opinion, books, no matter what genre or subject – should make you grow from the experience of having read them. The Joy Plan by Kaia Roman is on that ever growing list.
This quick to read self-help book is a raw, emotional read that is a lot more practical than what I first envisioned it to be. I can relate to her sentiment of finding it liberating to discover one’s true nature hidden under a heap of accumulated trash. Been there, done that – hope to have learned that lesson, as much as the Author of this book has. Her journey from anxiety and depression toward a positive, and happy person was moving, and inspirational. I am not usually a fan of “memoir” style books but this book asks you to take action, and not just merely read a story of the Author’s life, which makes it probably the most practical memoir I have ever read.
Her take on practicing mindfulness using her senses, specifically taste, was nicely confirming what I have found true and valuable in my own daily practice. What brought this book home for me most, was the practical exercises that allowed the reader to create their own joy plan. It was very action-oriented, detailed and positive.
A very inspirational (and entertaining), self-help book that is one of those I am unlikely to forget.
I have been surprised by a lot of books this year, more so than over the last few years, and I hope this will be a continuous trend, as – in my opinion, books, no matter what genre or subject – should make you grow from the experience of having read them. The Joy Plan by Kaia Roman is on that ever growing list.
This quick to read self-help book is a raw, emotional read that is a lot more practical than what I first envisioned it to be. I can relate to her sentiment of finding it liberating to discover one’s true nature hidden under a heap of accumulated trash. Been there, done that – hope to have learned that lesson, as much as the Author of this book has. Her journey from anxiety and depression toward a positive, and happy person was moving, and inspirational. I am not usually a fan of “memoir” style books but this book asks you to take action, and not just merely read a story of the Author’s life, which makes it probably the most practical memoir I have ever read.
Her take on practicing mindfulness using her senses, specifically taste, was nicely confirming what I have found true and valuable in my own daily practice. What brought this book home for me most, was the practical exercises that allowed the reader to create their own joy plan. It was very action-oriented, detailed and positive.
A very inspirational (and entertaining), self-help book that is one of those I am unlikely to forget.
June 18, 2017
I'm really grateful to get an advanced reader copy of this book from Net Galley. I didn’t know how badly I needed to read this book! I recognized a lot of myself and my journey in the story of how Kaia Roman lost her joy, confidence and sense of self, and how she went about regaining it one step at a time.
There were moments while reading the first couple of chapters where I wondered whether this was just another self-indulgent, privileged person trying to be happy and writing about it. But the book surprised me - and I found myself racing to complete it and then wanting to talk to everyone I met about it. I learned a lot about myself from reading this book, and realized how much I could benefit from the advice in the book. I decided to start to apply some of the principles and could immediately see changes. I am excited to see what else I can implement, and have already shared some of the insights with my family and friends.
What I enjoyed about the book is that the author not only shares her own story, she presents lessons from psychology and research into happiness, and provides a step-by-step plan, that while doesn’t guarantee a total transformation, can set you on the path to finding your own joy. I highly recommend getting a copy for yourself (and all your friends) and starting your own Joy Plan today!
There were moments while reading the first couple of chapters where I wondered whether this was just another self-indulgent, privileged person trying to be happy and writing about it. But the book surprised me - and I found myself racing to complete it and then wanting to talk to everyone I met about it. I learned a lot about myself from reading this book, and realized how much I could benefit from the advice in the book. I decided to start to apply some of the principles and could immediately see changes. I am excited to see what else I can implement, and have already shared some of the insights with my family and friends.
What I enjoyed about the book is that the author not only shares her own story, she presents lessons from psychology and research into happiness, and provides a step-by-step plan, that while doesn’t guarantee a total transformation, can set you on the path to finding your own joy. I highly recommend getting a copy for yourself (and all your friends) and starting your own Joy Plan today!
July 10, 2017
I received a free advance copy of the book to read and review.
The Joy Plan has been referred to as a "practical memoir". It is part the very honest journey of one woman and part research backed scientific and psychological "plan" for cultivating joy. The combination of these two very different perspectives hooked me from the start. I love the rawness of a well told personal story and my inner geek loves anything that has solid research as a backdrop. Roman delivers on both as she weaves her own experiments in cultivating joy into a deeply personal account of the why and how she sought out and successfully increased her own levels of joy. She then takes it a step further and outlines a plan that others can follow to increase their own levels of joy.
Most importantly to me, Roman is honest. She is honest in how she lets us into her journey. She is honest about the choices she made that were ultimately joy stealers and the choices she made to help replace those joy stealers with joy builders. She does not pretend to assume that her joy plan is "the joy plan". She shares her experiences, what worked, what didn't, and provides some tools that readers may choose to use as a piece of their own joy plan - but she all does all of that while managing to steer clear of the "shall and must" territory that bogs down so many self-help type books.
The Joy Plan has been referred to as a "practical memoir". It is part the very honest journey of one woman and part research backed scientific and psychological "plan" for cultivating joy. The combination of these two very different perspectives hooked me from the start. I love the rawness of a well told personal story and my inner geek loves anything that has solid research as a backdrop. Roman delivers on both as she weaves her own experiments in cultivating joy into a deeply personal account of the why and how she sought out and successfully increased her own levels of joy. She then takes it a step further and outlines a plan that others can follow to increase their own levels of joy.
Most importantly to me, Roman is honest. She is honest in how she lets us into her journey. She is honest about the choices she made that were ultimately joy stealers and the choices she made to help replace those joy stealers with joy builders. She does not pretend to assume that her joy plan is "the joy plan". She shares her experiences, what worked, what didn't, and provides some tools that readers may choose to use as a piece of their own joy plan - but she all does all of that while managing to steer clear of the "shall and must" territory that bogs down so many self-help type books.
July 11, 2017
I was one of the lucky few whom was fortunate to receive an advance reader copy of The Joy Plan: How I Took 30 Days to Stop Worrying, Quit Complaining and Find Ridiculous Happiness by Kaia Roman in exchange for this completely unbiased review. Kaia Roman writes her own account in this book of how she had fallen on some tough times and found herself utterly without joy and struggling to find the motivating forces and drive to continue to propel forward both personally and professionally, despite having a loving husband and fantastic kiddos. After speaking with some wise counsel, she embarks on a 30 day mission to find whatever it is that evokes joy in her life. All in all, I was pretty interested in some of the pathophysiology that Ms. Roman includes about brainwaves, neurotransmitters etc, and thought that it was an interesting concept that "like attracts like" overall. Although I personally identify with a more faith-based and less holistic viewpoint to wellness, I must say that the book is very well-written, and I absolutely love how Kaia speaks about "The Bitch in My Head," and how frankly and with humor and love she addresses he reader. I would encourage you to purchase and read this one.
July 19, 2017
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of The Joy Plan. It is a wonderful book. It is a woman's story of finding Joy, but it is so much more than that. It is filled with scientific research and facts to back up what she has named The Joy Plan. Many times, Kaia's words have been the exact thoughts I have had, but not voiced. This book is simply wonderful. I have suffered anxiety for many years and the voice inside my head is loud and negative. Kaia shows you how to put that voice in it's place. She outlines simple, easy-to-follow directions on how to change the way you view the world, which in turn changes your world. It's almost like she is showing you how to "hack" your brain. By learning the science behind the brain, how it functions, what balances out negativity and what it can do for you, she is showing you how to make your brain recognize the JOY in all things. I highly recommend it! It's well written, it feels like reading from a personal friend's writings. As we age, most of us do become less joyful. Sometimes it is sucked out of us by bills and responsibilities, other times, we simply stop seeing the joy in our lives. Why wouldn't you want to live a more joyful life? The Joy Plan could help you do just that.
August 16, 2019
Kaia is a woman who ran her own company, she hustled and was completely heartbroken when it ran to the ground, she found herself depressed and with no motivation for life when suddenly her friend gives her a crazy idea. For 30 Days Kaia is to focus on the things that give her Joy in the hope that it will not only alleviate depression but give her the life of her dreams, this is Kaia’s story.
This book was absolutely amazing! I love Kaia’s story and how she completely turned her life around. Kaia not only gives us the spiritual side of making Joy a priority but she also adds scientific information as well so whether your spiritual or logical, either way, it continuously gives you proof after proof why and how this “Joy plan” works. By the end not only did Kaia find a Joyful Balance in life but all her wildest dreams come true due to the Law of Attraction, another main focus of this story. At the very end Kaia even gives a guide on how to start your own “Joy plan” and a discussion guide. I loved this book and EVERYTHING I’ve learned from it. Because of this book I’m starting my mornings off more joyful than ever before. Thank you so much Kaia for this book, you have impacted my life in such a beautiful and large way.
This book was absolutely amazing! I love Kaia’s story and how she completely turned her life around. Kaia not only gives us the spiritual side of making Joy a priority but she also adds scientific information as well so whether your spiritual or logical, either way, it continuously gives you proof after proof why and how this “Joy plan” works. By the end not only did Kaia find a Joyful Balance in life but all her wildest dreams come true due to the Law of Attraction, another main focus of this story. At the very end Kaia even gives a guide on how to start your own “Joy plan” and a discussion guide. I loved this book and EVERYTHING I’ve learned from it. Because of this book I’m starting my mornings off more joyful than ever before. Thank you so much Kaia for this book, you have impacted my life in such a beautiful and large way.
June 28, 2017
The Joy Plan is part story, part self help book about a woman who has suffered a professional setback and is embarking on a journey to bring more joy to her life. The book had a good layout, with the concept, the story relating to it and then a tip at the end. It was easy to read and follow. I was happy for her progress and especially happy with the afterward because it addressed something that nagged me most of the book regarding her husbands unhappiness in his career.
There are two reasons why I am not a higher star rating. One is simple, it would have been great to have a more concise action plan at the end to wrap up and provide like a page or two starting point.
Second and less simple is that I am not entirely sure how it could apply to someone who doesnt have alot of time. Some things can, like complaining less and trying to worry less, however as someone working 10 hours a day, coming home to two kids at night, barely getting an hour between them falling asleep and me crashing, i dont have a lot of time to necessarily discover what brings joy. I think it would have been great to have more of that, how to apply these concepts to your unique life situation.
There are two reasons why I am not a higher star rating. One is simple, it would have been great to have a more concise action plan at the end to wrap up and provide like a page or two starting point.
Second and less simple is that I am not entirely sure how it could apply to someone who doesnt have alot of time. Some things can, like complaining less and trying to worry less, however as someone working 10 hours a day, coming home to two kids at night, barely getting an hour between them falling asleep and me crashing, i dont have a lot of time to necessarily discover what brings joy. I think it would have been great to have more of that, how to apply these concepts to your unique life situation.
September 10, 2018
There were many parts of this book that I read and thought, yeah, I can do that. At the same time, there were parts I read and thought I would only be able to do if I was married and had a second income coming in. The Joy Plan is of course not a step-by-step plan to follow, but just one person's journey. She admits that she was able to do things that might not always be feasible without the help of a good support system.
For me, the hardest thing about doing something like Kaia did, would be trying to change my habits. I try to change them all the time with little or no success, so really making that a goal to look at my life and see the things that need to be changed and work on changing them to make myself a happier person, seems in a way, overwhelming. Without being able to put my life on hold for this, I don't think I would be able to do it.
It's great to see how it worked for her, but I feel like the average person takes away more of the small lessons she learned than her huge revelations.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Kaia Roman
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 1 Jul 2017
For me, the hardest thing about doing something like Kaia did, would be trying to change my habits. I try to change them all the time with little or no success, so really making that a goal to look at my life and see the things that need to be changed and work on changing them to make myself a happier person, seems in a way, overwhelming. Without being able to put my life on hold for this, I don't think I would be able to do it.
It's great to see how it worked for her, but I feel like the average person takes away more of the small lessons she learned than her huge revelations.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Kaia Roman
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 1 Jul 2017
May 25, 2025
This book changed my life! It saved me! And I shared it with my mom book club and one of the ladies had a transformative experience as well.
I picked this book up at my local library because it was on display. I’d never heard of Kaia Roman prior to that day. I was going through a devastating financial loss and I didn’t know how to move forward. I’m very task oriented and I prefer actionable steps on how to deal with my problems.
Kaia did a fantastic job with providing practical advice backed up by research.
I’m writing this review in 2025, almost three years after finishing the book to make sure the changes I made were sustainable.
Yes. They have been. I still have my joy playlists on Spotify. I’m still using my five senses to engage my brain to produce joy endorphins.
If you’re gonna read this book, carve out time to do the 30-days commitment. I have four kids so I had to make modifications to accommodate my busy live. But going hiking at least once a week to commune with nature is now a non-negotiable in my marriage.
I picked this book up at my local library because it was on display. I’d never heard of Kaia Roman prior to that day. I was going through a devastating financial loss and I didn’t know how to move forward. I’m very task oriented and I prefer actionable steps on how to deal with my problems.
Kaia did a fantastic job with providing practical advice backed up by research.
I’m writing this review in 2025, almost three years after finishing the book to make sure the changes I made were sustainable.
Yes. They have been. I still have my joy playlists on Spotify. I’m still using my five senses to engage my brain to produce joy endorphins.
If you’re gonna read this book, carve out time to do the 30-days commitment. I have four kids so I had to make modifications to accommodate my busy live. But going hiking at least once a week to commune with nature is now a non-negotiable in my marriage.
October 15, 2019
This was a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed the combination of self-help and memoir, and I found Kaia Roman to be more relatable for me, personally, than someone like Gretchen Rubin. Although I'm not a mom, a world traveller, or a former business owner, there was just something about her voice that resonated with me and her story was both interesting and inspiring. I also liked that, although you can't have a self-help book without a little "woo woo", the author used science to back up a lot of her points and wasn't overtly religious in her spirituality. There were some great simple and practical ideas to implement, and following the reading of this I even started using a gratitude app! Hopefully some of the lessons I learned here will stick and if they don't - it's the kind of book I'd happily read again.
May 2, 2020
I started reading this a long time ago and then life happened.
I recently picked it up again and started from the very beginning. The author has suffered a huge professional setback - her business has shut down. Among the anxiety and depression, she decides to take a month to herself and focus on creating joy in her life.
It's an intriguing idea and the author talks very candidly about her life. You are right there with her when she tries on various things to see if they will bring her joy.
A book she mentions repeatedly is The Evolutionary Glitch and I am intrigued enough to want to read it soon.
Some ideas in the beginning of the book were new to me and her experiences were very unique.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this practical memoir.
3.5 stars rounded up
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley
I recently picked it up again and started from the very beginning. The author has suffered a huge professional setback - her business has shut down. Among the anxiety and depression, she decides to take a month to herself and focus on creating joy in her life.
It's an intriguing idea and the author talks very candidly about her life. You are right there with her when she tries on various things to see if they will bring her joy.
A book she mentions repeatedly is The Evolutionary Glitch and I am intrigued enough to want to read it soon.
Some ideas in the beginning of the book were new to me and her experiences were very unique.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this practical memoir.
3.5 stars rounded up
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley
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