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Finding Joy

Words that uplift and empower | Hand-made Lettering Art & Blog by Joy Adan

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About “Finding Joy”

Joy Adan | Filipino Australian Writer from Sydney

Hi, I’m Joy Adan. I’m a freelance writer, based in Sydney, Australia. This is my blog.

I’ve been on the blogosphere for over ten years and writing since I was given my first journal (a white, hard-cover A6 diary with a brass lock and key) at the age of 6. I’ve penned (and typed) hundreds of thousands of words for both business and leisure, and this blog is just one of many creative outlets.

I write because I believe in the power of stories. The words that fuel our stories can uplift and empower if we choose them carefully and intentionally. A great story opens minds and transforms hearts. A great story fuels learning and inspires action. A great story turns an everyday meal into a lifelong memory. Our lives, our histories and our cultures are a collection of these stories.

As a writer, my goal is to create connections between people through these stories and to record the everyday discovery of something personal and precious. As you read these posts, I hope you find something precious too. Whether it’s encouragement, entertainment, education or empathy, if you find it I hope you share it and create a great story of your own.


 Behind the logo

about-finding-joy-logo

I had a lot of fun (and angst!) creating the logo for this blog. It was a creative project that I began months before I launched the website and tells a bit of a story in itself.

  • Love drives everything that I do – love for God, love for family, and love for life. Without love, all our efforts are nothing (1 Corinthians 13). But with love, even the simplest of actions have great power.
  • Food is my happy place. Fun, hilarious and amazing things happen when food is involved. My biggest celebrations and fondest memories involve sharing a meal or a drink (usually caffeinated or alcoholic ?) with people that I know. I am mesmerised by good food. It doesn’t have to fancy – it just has to be prepared and enjoyed with love.
  • Sunshine and the ocean are my driving force. Give me a few hours with these two elements and I am recharged and ready to roll. I learnt pretty early on that burnout happens when we don’t take the time to recharge… which is why I wanted to dedicate a chunk of this blog to helping others (especially women – coz we tend to forget!!) to do just that.
  • Writing is what I do, it’s who I am – hence why the pen is the first letter of my name ?. Shouldn’t need explaining (otherwise read the first part of this page again). The pen – which is intentionally shaped to look a bit like a paintbrush – also reflects my other creative pursuits. As much as I love the written word, design and photography keep me going too.
  • The airplane symbolises my need to explore – not just faraway places and exotic countries (though that is something I thoroughly enjoy), but my own city and my own space. Growing up and raising a family in Sydney is amazing and such a privilege. I want to discover all its hidden gems, and share them with you.

The original sketches featured a lot more elements but I decided the scale it right back for this final version. I haven’t included a home or anything to do with health and beauty, but you’ll soon see (after reading a few posts) that all these things are important to me, just as they are to most of the people I know.

Who’s this blog for?

Anyone who comes across it and enjoys what they read!

It’s for creatives who need a bit of inspo, for mums and dads who need a hand getting through the chaos that is parenting, for people who love to drink wine and vent at the end of the a long week day.

It’s for people who love their meat pies as much as a seven-course degustation, and are just as happy throwing a towel into a bag and hitting the nearest beach as they are flying for 24 hours to see the ruins in Pompeii.

It’s for people who get that life is crazy and really hard sometimes, but there is always something worth celebrating.

It’s for people who choose love and light, and want to bring a sense of wonder and magic back into the world.

It’s for people who respect and uphold the dignity of human life, and want to celebrate that – even in the simplest of ways.

It’s for strugglers and stragglers and people who know they’re imperfect… who are restless and searching, who are waiting and hoping… and certain that somewhere, someday they will find their own little slice of true and everlasting joy. ❤️

Happy reading!

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As seen in

Essential Baby

Practical Parenting

The Catholic Weekly

2017 Bupa Blog Awards Nominee | Celebrating Health and Care

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At the end of each year I go through our memory ja At the end of each year I go through our memory jar with a grateful heart and reminisce and reflect... and though this year had many twists and turns we weren't prepared for, I know there are lots of things to be thankful for... perhaps even moreso. Many of the best things can't and wont ever be captured on camera or in words.

But my thanks goes to all who rode the highs and lows with me and my family, to the many unseen heroes who kept us safe and kept our community strong and healthy. To those who gave what little they could and those who have sacrificed a lot... thank you. From the bottom of this very full, undeserving but entirely grateful heart... thank you. ❤❤

#2020 #thanksforthememories #perfectlyimperfect
Words to take into 2021. ❤ Words to take into 2021. ❤
Merry Christmas friends and family! May your heart Merry Christmas friends and family! May your hearts be fuller than your bellies, even though our guest lists are shorter this year. ❤
A post for all the teachers celebrating the end of A post for all the teachers celebrating the end of term and end of what has probably been the craziest year of your career. 

Thank you for the love  and dedication you've shown for kids under your care, for giving our kids your many, many extra hours and late nights, your creative out-of-the-box solutions for virtual lesson plans, and your bottomless patience and incredible courage. 

May you enjoy a well deserved break and the peace of knowing your legacy grows in the hearts and minds of those you've taught, guided, counseled and nurtured this year. 

Thank you. ❤
Day 1 of our Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) Novena: Mr 8 Day 1 of our Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) Novena: Mr 8 joined me for 5am Mass this morning. I got really emotional driving into the car park and seeing it was almost full. And as we walked through the doors, I heard singing in the church. Singing!! It seemed that almost every X in the church pews had someone standing by it... the church looked FULL. It's been so long since I've experienced Mass like this - it felt like coming home. 😭😭😭 

If you are looking for a way to prepare your heart for Christmas and turn your focus from buying presents to a experiencing a heavenly presence, then I highly recommend finding a place that celebrates simbang gabi. Last year, I wrote a bit about what this Filipino tradition means to me and my family (check it out at findingjoy.com.au/simbang-gabi). When I wrote that, I had no idea what 2020 would have in store. But even after this truly crazy year, I feel God's hand in all of it. If there's anything 2020 has taught me it's that love transcends distance. We have the capacity to show love and be loved even when those we wish for dearly can't be seen, felt and touched. 

My peace comes from knowing even when I don't see Him, feel Him or understand what's going on... God will always be my Father, and I am forever His child. This is what I celebrate at Christmas. The divine entering the human world.. and changing what we know of love forever. 💜

Image: A square Christmas card propped against a Christmas tree. The card has a midnight blue sky and purple hills. In the sky the words “Peace on Earth” are written in white lettering. 

#FilipinoTraditions #ChristmasTraditions #ChristmasPreparations
I think custom calligraphy orders have been my fav I think custom calligraphy orders have been my favourite thing to make this year - especially when the person commissioning gives me creative license. It was an honour to create this for a very special couple. 💙

Image: The Prayer of St Michael brush lettered in blue ink on a white A3 sheet, with a blue border and painted blue and silver leaves on the top right and bottom left corners.
Friday festivities courtesy of a lovely delivery f Friday festivities courtesy of a lovely delivery from @boomforrgpeople and @missnoblemelbourne
It felt a little bit like I was in Santa's worksho It felt a little bit like I was in Santa's workshop when I was making these Christmas gift bags last weekend. ❤

Order yours now at findingjoy.com.au 
Final date for Christmas orders is 15 Dec (Express Post only). Marsden Park pick up orders must be placed by 20 Dec. 

#shopsmallbusiness #smallbusinessaustralia #loveaustralianhandmade
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