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Finding Joy

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

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Inktober Prayer Prompts

2 October, 2020 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

List of 31 Catholic Prayers to form as "prompts" for creative art as part of Inktober 2020

I’ve never participated in the Inktober Challenge, but have wanted to for years. This year I thought I’d be up for it, but I struggled with the list of prompts and all the other October prompt lists I found on Instagram were either Halloween or Fall-focused. I’m not really into either. So, as the clock neared midnight on the 30 September, I jotted down a list of 31 prayers I’ve

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So much to (un)learn

11 June, 2020 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

Digital drawing with shades of brown in the background. Words say: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou" © Joy adan 2020

To truly celebrate our differences, we need to understand and appreciate our differences. That can only happen if we listen to and learn from the people whose perspectives and experiences are different from our own.

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Simbang Gabi – The Best is Yet to Come

24 December, 2019 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

This morning Mr 7 and I woke up at 4am and made our way to simbang gabe. When I was young, the novena of dawn masses held in the 9 day lead up to Christmas were just as much a part of my family’s tradition as putting up the Christmas tree and wrapping presents. We’d pile into my parent’s Prado in the early morning darkness, the air cool and muggy,

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So blessed, I can’t contain it

10 July, 2019 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

Photo of delegates at the CYP Lifted Retreat 'Dare to be Different' 2019

As I knelt in the hall during Adoration last Saturday, I felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude. It charged through my body and left me sobbing. I realise now what it was: profound gratitude for every single moment that God has had a hand in over the last 20 years.

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Starting (again)

12 January, 2019 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

Blacktown Arts Fund 2018 - Prize Giving - Joy Adan - Photo Credit: Joshua Morris

Happy new year, dear reader! I hope the first few weeks of 2019 have brought you a renewed sense of energy and focus. Even though it’s always hard to sustain that enthusiasm, using it to propel you into something new (or, as is the case with me, pick up or return to something old), is a great thing. Just take it step-by-step. Well, that’s what I’m telling myself anyway. Never

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7 ways to start writing (and stop procrastinating)

11 April, 2018 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

I recently went to a writers group meet uo where we each confessed the lengths to which we go to put off writing. We then shared some ideas on how to combat that bad habit. Here are some of them. | Image: Library books on a shelf | Text: 7 ways to start writing and stop procrastinating

I recently went to a writers group meet uo where we each confessed the lengths to which we go to put off writing. We then shared some ideas on how to combat that bad habit. Here are some of them.

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Am I still a writer if I’m constantly struggling to prioritise it?

12 March, 2018 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

Every single time I want to write, I have to battle the side of me that tells me there are other, more important things to do. In the same boat? Here are 5 things to remember to help win the battle and just start writing.

Every single time I want to write, I have to battle the side of me that tells me there are other, more important things to do. In the same boat? Here are 5 things to remember to help win the battle and just start writing.

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Taking Stock – January 2018

21 January, 2018 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

"One day, or day one?" A handmade brush lettering quote I made in 2017 for a friend who wanted to start kicking some goals

New year, new blog post! Finally! I’ve been um-ing and ah-ing about what to write, given it’s been several months since I last made an appearance here (not counting the making and selling of items on the shop, of course). I didn’t want to write the a big cliché “setting goals for the new year” or “how to kick goals this year” pieces – mainly because I didn’t have anything particularly

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10 must-eats and 7 must-dos at the Night Noodle Markets, Sydney

14 October, 2017 By Joy Adan Tagged With: date night, places to eat in Sydney Leave a Comment

Puffle Bulgogi Beef and Philly Cheesesteak | Night Noodle Markets 2017

Good Food Month’s Night Noodle Markets have returned to Hyde Park for another year, and for two glorious weeks, we have some of the city’s best Asian-inspired food in one place (i.e. in my belly!). Here are 10 things we tried and loved: If you’re planning to check it out in the next few days (it finishes on 22 Oct), here are my tips to make the most of your

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Finding my way | My testimony from The FaithFeed (June 2017)

13 October, 2017 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

The Faithfeed Parramatta | Institute for Mission | Testimony by Joy Adan, June 2017

Back in June, I was invited on The FaithFeed to share how my faith has evolved and the role that it plays in my life. In the lead-up to their October event, they’ve published the full video of my talk. Appearing on The FaithFeed was no easy decision; getting up in front of any crowd is always daunting, but it’s absolutely terrifying knowing something incredibly personal will be recorded and

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Carving out a creative career

24 August, 2017 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

Brené Brown has an awesome mantra, which I’ve adopted: “Courage starts with showing up and letting yourself be seen.” As a creative person, I find myself constantly battling between the voice that tells me I’m not good enough and the voice that tells me I’m too big for my boots. In those moments, I remind myself that courage starts with just showing up and starting. Once I've done that, everything gets a bit easier. Here are some of the lessons I've learnt on my journey as a writer.

For a long time I was convinced that a “creative career” was an oxymoron; surely exercising creativity was something one did in their spare time and not something to be mistaken as an acceptable or sustainable occupation. It took almost three decades for me to realise now how ridiculous that is, but I got there. A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by one of my friends to take

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When reality really bites | Battling next-level post-holiday blues

10 August, 2017 By Joy Adan Leave a Comment

View from Diamond Head Tower, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Suite 1561

It’s almost noon on a Thursday and my “work day” is only just beginning. I’d like to dream that I’m starting late because I’m still very much in holiday mode, was able to enjoy a sleep-in, and have simply tumbled out of bed after a gloriously refreshing rest, and am now sitting at my laptop in my pyjamas, holding a mug of hot coffee, and my fingertips itching with lots of

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Hi

Joy Adan

I'm Joy. I'm a 30-something, storytelling, coffee-drinking, book-devouring, ocean-obsessed freelance writer, brush lettering enthusiast, speaker and content producer. You'll find some of my stories and art here, along with my advice about attempt at balancing the creative career + family life hustle.

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As seen in

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2017 Bupa Blog Awards Nominee | Celebrating Health and Care

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It doesn't matter how old I get, it doesn't hurt t It doesn't matter how old I get, it doesn't hurt to be reminded... 😜

Image: A quote from the Dr Seuss book “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” hand-lettered in rainbow watercolour ink. The text reads “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
Had one of those “pinch me, I must be dreaming” moments today. I finally opened this book set from @philipjamolin & @simmyyyy and Mr Z asked me to read him the one about Maya Angelou. Then Mr 8 joined us and read his little bro the other two books. 🥰

These books remind me of the ones I used to read in primary school. There was a collection of illustrated books about different historical figures in our school library and I was obsessed with them! That's where I first discovered Helen Keller and a bunch of other inspiring, everyday heroes. Now... to collect the rest! 

#littlepeoplebigdreams #raisingreaders
Ummm... where did February go? What a whirlwind of Ummm... where did February go? What a whirlwind of afew weeks it's been. Feeling this passage right in the gut - I haven't had a proper night's sleep since we got back from the hospital last Tuesday. Mr 8 has his arm in a cast after an unlucky fall led to a broken arm. He's doing well and mostly back to his silly and stoic self, but understandably gets uncomfortable at night and needs a lot of love. Mr 4 finally went to daycare for the first time in 3 weeks. Caring for unwell little people + work + all the other typical adulty demands = being pulled in 20,000 different directions all at once. 

So it's been such a roller coaster of emotions. I am 100% running on grace (and coffee).
Not exactly where I was expecting to spend my Vale Not exactly where I was expecting to spend my Valentine's evening, but I tell you what, I had an incredibly brave, sweet and honourable young man for company the entire night. 

Mr 8, the courage and patience you've shown over the last 24 hours is a gift this simpering romantic could never have known to ask for. I know you got all that and more from your Dad... I just hope after this episode you also go on to inherit his skills on the tennis court... and not your Mother's tendency to end up at the ED after playing ball sports. 😝 

Can't wait to be able to squeeze you silly again. 😘

Side note: Big love and gratitude to all the beautiful, tireless souls working at @westmeadkids. I've been wandering the hallways to pass the time and there is always a kind smile or a stunning piece of art that greet me every time I turn the corner. ❤ so, so grateful. Thank you.
So... it's February. It feels a bit like no matter So... it's February. It feels a bit like no matter how I try to slow things down, I blink and the day is done! I think that's just the nature if #mumlife hey? Ah well. 

Still grateful for the moments I've been able to pause and soak in all the joys of watching my little people grow. And for a summer month full of catch-ups, sunshine, rain, of easing back into the work year (who am I kidding... we hit the ground running) and for the things I know I can look forward to. 

Trying to live these words as we make our way through another year of uncertainties. ❤
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. ❤
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Words that uplift and empower

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