Joy as Your Foundation: What I Learned One Year After Everything Fell Apart

Exactly 12 months ago, I had no idea the universe was about to whip the rug out from under me like I was in some slow-motion comedy sketch, with zero punchline and way too much Ben & Jerry’s.

Autumn last year was, in a word, brutal. I was hiding out at my parents’, numbing the noise with horror films and cookie dough ice cream, desperately trying to hold onto my flat, fighting hard not to become the human embodiment of The Grinch. (Spoiler: I did growl at a few carol singers.)

And all the while, life wasn’t stopping for me to catch my breath.

I had to show up for my clients.

I ran two retreats that I’m still proud of.

And I was staring down the barrel of my bills doubling overnight.

But here’s what no one sees in the chaos…

Even when I was hanging on by the nail of my little finger, when everything felt impossible, I knew I’d be okay. Not because I had a plan. Not because I knew how it would all turn out. But because deep down, no matter what was happening on the outside, I had joy as my foundation. And that, my friend, is the game-changer.

💥 The Power of Having Joy as Your Foundation

This isn’t just some cute Instagram quote. When joy is your baseline, not your bonus, you stop waiting for life to be perfect before you feel good.

It means you can lose the job, grieve the breakup, fumble the launch and still be anchored in something that isn’t up for negotiation.

It means you're allowed to be both:

✅ Falling apart

✅ And still grounded in who the f*ck you are.

Here’s the wild thing: there are things I never would’ve done if last year hadn’t slapped me sideways.

I’ve grown this business.

Started another one (yes, we’ll talk about that soon 👀).

Spent more time belly-laughing with friends and family.

Said yes to life-changing adventures.

Started letting my heart open again. Slowly. Bravely.

It’s not all fixed. It’s not all tied up in a neat little bow. But it’s real. And it’s mine.

🫶 If You're in Your Rock Bottom Season...

If the universe is sticking pins in your plans, your peace, or your entire sense of what’s next…I see you. I’ve been you.

And I promise, even when it feels like you’re walking through emotional treacle, you are not broken.

You’re building something under the surface.

You’re becoming someone stronger, bolder, wiser.

So keep going. Cry into your ice cream. Watch the horror films. But know this:

When joy is your foundation, you will not stay stuck. You’ll rise. Maybe not fast. Maybe not pretty. But you will. 💛 Want to build joy that doesn’t disappear when life gets hard?

Read about how to get involved with The Joy Project here.