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SALT LAKE CITY — As women, wives and mothers, we can get over-the-top functional. When we make a new choice or create an experience that shakes up the norm, we also allow ourselves to expand our mind and perspective.

Consider one of these ways to kick-start renewed joy.

Let go of extremes

Especially as mothers, we can feel that joy has to wait until the house is totally clean, the laundry completely done or the kids truly taken care of (*spoiler alert* — it won’t happen). Instead, we can find a “meet in the middle” solution.

For example, recently I met a wonderful lady who also paints but can’t find good chunks of time to complete a painting (sound familiar?) As we chatted, she discovered a better solution. Instead of waiting for magical consecutive hours or days to appear, she could choose to paint Tuesday and Thursday mornings. That’s it. No major upheaval to her life or schedule, just a realistic and consistent time frame that works for everyday life.

Let down

Take time to "let down" for a few hours a day, or even a weekend. Get a massage, do an overnighter with your husband or friends, or even hike in the mountains. Allow yourself to take off the "constant can-do crown" and give it to someone else for a little bit.

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a weeklong fitness camp at Movara Fitness Resort. Each day is dedicated to working out, eating beautiful and nutrition-dense foods (at 1,200 calories a day), and learning healthy habits to keep for a lifetime.

The first few days I felt like a ditz. I locked myself out of my room (a total of eight times during the week) and was continually late to each class. At first I thought, what is wrong with me? Then I realized I was letting down. Gone from the daily do's and responsibilities, I had to let myself relax and let go, and I finally did.

Connect outside your comfort zone

We tend to get stuck in routines, with ourselves and our children. Before we know it, we’ve ended up in a rut, doing the same things, eating the same foods and talking with the same people. Shake it up with totally different scenery and activities.

Once I had allowed myself to let down in this totally new environment, I was open to new activities, thoughts and connections, releasing that tight way of living. Formerly enjoyable activities like yoga and hiking became fun again, and my endurance to do them skyrocketed (a 2½-hour solid-paced hike up canyon cliffs? NO BIGGIE).

I tried new things like kickboxing, cardio intervals and water workouts. And connecting with others outside my typical circle with their insights and viewpoints infused energy and thought-provoking conversation. I made a few core friendships to boot.

Whether it’s a new place to eat, a cooking retreat or an adventurous trip, shake up your everyday and kick-start the joy!