Some people seem wired to dim the light. They may not be intentionally cruel, but they are emotionally unavailable to celebrate others. Instead, they live in misery, pull people down, and spoil every special occasion. Psychologists call this spoiling behavior—an unconscious attempt to regulate their own discomfort by dampening other people’s happiness.

🔹 Psychology behind it: Killjoys often grew up in environments where joy was unsafe. Their nervous systems now equate laughter, abundance, or celebration with danger. Instead of joining in, they criticize, complain, and judge.
🔹 Neuroscience explains: When we celebrate, our brain releases dopamine (reward) and oxytocin (connection). For killjoys, the amygdala misreads joy as a threat. They feel anxious or inferior, so they lash out—bringing the mood down to their level.

But here’s the truth: joy is contagious too. When we protect it, we rewire our brains for safety, belonging, and freedom.

✨ This year, free from the usual killjoy, we reclaimed our celebrations. No judgment. No criticism. No moaning. Just life, lived fully.

We laughed and bought what we wanted when we wanted.
We ate what we wanted and where we wanted.
We went where we wanted and when we wanted.
We drank what we wanted and when we wanted.
We chose joy without permission.

The list is endless—because joy is endless when you stop apologizing for it.

So if someone tries to shrink your joy, remember: their inability to celebrate is not about you. Protect your light. Protect your laughter. Protect your freedom.

Because a year of unspoiled joy isn’t just happiness—it’s healing.