My Journey to Joy: How Pain Became My Power

For years, I've been the girl on the internet telling you to choose joy. It's in my bio. It's in every reel and café review, and you NEED to try this caption. And I have always meant it. I wouldn’t give you a bad rec, but I absolutely didn’t wake up this joyful. 

And a lot of people give the perception that their life has always been this way… not mine. In fact, my friends, joy was not my default.

So today, here is the truth.

Joy is not my personality. It's my practice. And I came to it the long way around.

There's a tidy version of my story. Founded World Vegan Guide in 2016. Built a media brand. Three marathons. Joy influencer. It reads beautifully. It also leaves out almost everything that mattered.

It leaves out the years of pain, insecurity, rebelling, sexuality, and identity confusion and therapy. I don't share these often because my work is a celebration. But the celebration only works if you know what it costs.

And whilst I don't think you HAVE to have pain to find joy, it really has been a pivotal push to find mine. And if you are in a painful season right now, I SEE YOU! For me, pain becomes knowledge; it becomes information. And sometimes, it tells you what you love, where you're soft, what you'll fight for.

Running was a huge turning point for me and the community it came with got me into better habits, a love for my body and a sense of belonging. 

Veganism taught me you can build a life around what you love instead of what you're against. And I never thought I’d be paid to eat.

Coming out taught me there is no version of you the world deserves more than the real one.

Building a business (x many) has taught me that having an opportunity is a privilege, and the joy is often in the ups and downs of it all. But first and foremost, impact matters.  

And my friend, I am here to remind you that you are not broken. You are being built. 

If you're in the middle of something hard, I see you. 

Keep going, joy has this funny thing of returning after the hard seasons.

Choose joy. And thank you for being here

 Renee💛