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Finding Joy

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You are here: Home / Me Time / To save yourself from drowning, WRITE

To save yourself from drowning, WRITE

30 March, 2015 By Joy Adan Tagged With: motivation 4 Comments

I’m exhausted.

My house is the messiest it’s been since we moved in four and a half years ago. That’s probably because we are in the middle of moving out, and there is stuff everywhere.

In the past six weeks I have wanted so desperately to slow down and write, but I haven’t had a chance. I was lying on the couch this evening at 9:40pm and wanted to pass out. We only got home at 9:30 and after a long day at work, doing the pick up and grocery shopping, the last thing any one wants is to walk into a house that’s strewn with half empty boxes, unwashed dishes and filthy floors. I considered cleaning up the chaos in my kitchen/living room/bedroom/laundry/bathrooms/spare room/staircase/garage, but decided not to.

No. I thought. I want to write. I need to write. 

I hate that I have let weeks go by without me writing about all that’s happening. But that’s just it; there is so much happening.

I wanted to tell you I turned 30, and it’s not as bad as people think it is. There was no pre-30 crisis (though I did get a bit reflective in the weeks leading up to my birthday and found myself reading journals from a decade ago. It was embarrassing and insightful…but mostly embarrassing).

Me uncorking a bottle of Brown Brothers' sparkling moscato
Because who could be sad about being 30 when you’ve got this to help you celebrate?

I wanted to tell you about our weekend at Hyams Beach, and how beautiful that place is.

Sitting on the sand with Mr 2 at Hyam Beach
Hyams Beach literally has squeaky-clean white sand

I wanted to tell you that we put a deposit down on our own a little slice of Australia (whhhhaaattt??? Oh yeah, it happened. We own about 10sqm, and will probably have a mortgage for the rest of our life but I guess that’s better than nothing). That’s why we’re moving out – to save the money we’d otherwise waste on rent.

Artist's impression of our soon-to-be suburb
According to the website, it should look something like this… one day… in late 2016.

I wanted to tell you that Mr 2 (who, as of last week, is now Mr 3) has made progress with toilet training and that’s a big deal, given how much drama we went through initially.

 

Oricom musical potty
Thank you Oricom, for his musical potty which did wonders in those first few weeks.

I wanted to tell you all about the kick-ass General Assembly session that I went to where I met some kick-ass parenting bloggers face-to-face (and how great it is to see the real life versions of all the awesome writers I stalk read every week).

“I started a food blog because I wanted to eat… and then keep on eating.” Hehehe… yeah me too. #fulltimeblogger #qotd

— Joy Adan (@adan_joy) March 11, 2015

I love that so many people are here who get to #livewhatyoulove! Yay @SydneyGA #fulltimeblogger

— Joy Adan (@adan_joy) March 11, 2015

I wanted to tell you that my favourite priest – the guy who taught me so much about what it means to love God, who celebrated my wedding and baptised my son – opened a brand new church in Sydney’s north west and it is truly one of the most beautiful buildings in Sydney (and it’s not even finished yet).

our-lady-angels-rouse-hill-icon
This the icon in the centre of the dome on the ceiling of the Our Lady of Angels, Rouse Hill. A porthole to heaven.

 

our-lady-angels-rouse-hill-crucifix

I wanted to tell you that I built and launched my website for all my freelancing stuff… that playing around in the backend of WordPress consumed me for two sleepless nights, but I loved every second of it.

Joy Adan's freelancing website

I wanted to tell you that my little munchkin Mr 2 turned into Mr 3, and that I cried the night before his birthday because I was just so happy. That he is so amazing and that he surprises me every day when he reveals yet another new skill, word or tidbit of wisdom that he knows. I wanted to tell you about his obsession with Gru and the minions, and that Despicable Me is hilarious (even after watching it two dozen times).

Dandelions from Mr 3
Every time he sees a dandelion, he says, “I’ll pick a flower for mummy.” And my heart just melts.

I wanted to tell you about the night I couldn’t sleep and – thanks to some narcissistic Googling of my high school nickname – I discovered my FIRST EVER blog post from ELEVEN years ago (scary).

Also, I’m editing a sci-fi book, have started writing the book I was talking about a year ago, and oh, I made these on the weekend – don’t they look freaking amazing? Ok, they don’t. They caved in 15 minutes after taking them out of the oven. But that’s coz they’re egg and dairy free. YES. Cake that my little man can eat. Ergo, they are AMAZING.

Dairy and egg free chocolate cupcakes

The list continues… but I need to stop writing because Mr 3 is out of the shower… and I will probably pass out after he goes to bed. But I am alive, and I am happy… and even though I do find it hard to function when I’m surrounded by so much stuff (a humbling reminder to rid myself of all these possessions and live a minimalist life!), now I’m satisfied because I finally got to pen something, even if it is a lazy list of all that’s consumed me in the past few weeks.

Writing has this amazing power to turn my life of crazy, overwhelming unknowns into manageable, digestible… sentences. I have this crazy theory that being able to articulate it means I have some ability to grasp and understand it… and often that’s half the battle, isn’t it? Often I am so consumed by an idea that what is happening is too big for me to handle… but when I write I am no longer drowning but floating… the current may be strong but at least I’m ok.

Until next time (which hopefully won’t be too long away), have a good one.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, and happy, holy Easter.

xoxo

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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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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
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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. 

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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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