Domain: Meaning Fatigue & Emptiness 3-5 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

When Joy Doesn’t Leave a Trace

When joy doesn’t leave a trace, moments brighten briefly and then disappear.

Nothing accumulates, nothing stays.

Naming this impermanence removes the demand for joy to prove its value by lasting longer.

Experience is allowed to pass without residue.

Let moments pass with DojoWell.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I had a "good day," but by the time I went to bed, it felt like it never happened.

This is "Joy Without Trace." You experienced the moment, but the Narrative System didn't "save" it. This is common during Meaning Fatigue. Naming this prevents the despair of "wasted time." The joy happened; it just didn't leave a "narrative imprint." It still nourished your nervous system in real-time, even if you can't "feel" the memory of it now.

Does this mean my "good days" don't count?

They count for your Biological Health, but not your Narrative Pride. You are getting "Invisible Nutrition." By accepting that joy can be "trace-less," you stop the pressure to "document" or "remember" your happiness. You learn to enjoy the moment for the sake of the moment, which is the highest form of Presence.