Harness Your Joy with Cognitive Reframing

For almost two months, I’ve been handwashing dishes. Our dishwasher broke, and after several failed attempts to fix it, we ordered a new one—only to discover it was damaged just before installation.

Naturally, my first reaction could have been frustration. And that would’ve made sense—our brains are wired with a negativity bias that prioritizes threat and stress over calm and contentment. But instead of spiraling into annoyance, I used a powerful mental tool: cognitive reframing.

Cognitive reframing is the act of stepping back from a stressful moment and consciously choosing to see it from a new angle. This simple shift helps move the brain out of its reactive limbic system and into the more thoughtful, calm prefrontal cortex—where creativity, gratitude, and joy live.

So what did I find in this inconvenient situation?

·       I realized I enjoy handwashing dishes—it’s mindful and calming.

·       I recognized that a dishwasher is a “nice-to-have,” not a must-have.

·       I found humor when I told my partner the new unit arrived… damaged.

·       I felt deep gratitude for the kind installer who handled the entire return and reinstallation process for us.

Life is always going to throw curveballs. But when we pause and reframe, we take back control of our experience. And sometimes, we even gain a good story to tell.