Alchemy of Being | A Moment of Meaning | Joy as Medicine, Pain as Teacher

Don't Find Yourself, Curate Yourself

A MOMENT OF MEANING

Hey there,

Sorry to break our usual fortnightly rhythm, but I really wanted to share something a little extra with you - something that fits perfectly with October’s theme.

Rooted in Joy, was born from a simple truth: joy is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline.

My latest Brainz article, Joy as Medicine, dives into the science and spirituality of that idea - how laughter, awe, and delight are not distractions from growth, but essential ingredients in healing.

But joy doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s easy to celebrate it when life feels light, far harder when you live with chronic pain or an unpredictable body.

A recent conversation with a fellow EDS warrior reminded me that this, too, is where joy belongs, not instead of pain, but alongside it. It inspired me to write something more personal: Living with Chronic Pain & EDS – The Art of Managing the Unmanageable.

These two pieces belong together. One explores joy as a medicine for all of us. The other shows what that looks like in practice - how acceptance, awareness, and curiosity can transform even the hardest realities into something meaningful.

Because being Rooted in Joy isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about remembering that light and shadow can coexist - and that joy, when tended to gently, grows even in unlikely soil.

Is Joy the Missing Link in Your Wellness Journey? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

October is my birthday month, so I’ve decided to dedicate it entirely to joy - the kind that lifts you, grounds you, and reminds you why you’re here. It felt only right that my latest Brainz article should do the same. We spend so much time chasing wellness through discipline, growth, and effort, but what if the most powerful medicine has been within us all along?

This month’s piece explores joy not as a fleeting mood, but as a biological, emotional, and spiritual force for healing. From the neuroscience of laughter to the deep calm that comes from awe and purpose, it’s a reminder that joy isn’t something we earn after the hard work - it’s what gives that work meaning. If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down, laughing too loudly, or choosing play over productivity, this one’s for you. I share some of my own joy rituals, the science behind why they matter, and why, at the end of the day, joy might just be the missing link in your wellness journey.

Read it here

Living with Chronic Pain & EDS – The Art of Managing the Unmanageable

I didn’t plan to write this piece. It grew out of a heartfelt conversation with someone who, like me, is doing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. As we compared notes on how we each manage pain, I realised how rarely I actually think about mine anymore - not because it’s gone, but because I’ve learned to live in partnership with it. That realisation made me wonder whether some of what I’ve discovered could help others too.

This isn’t a story about fixing pain. It’s about reframing it. About finding grace and meaning within it. About discovering that even when life hurts, joy can still take root.

Read it here

As ever, my hope is that these words remind you that healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken, but nurturing what’s alive within you.

Joy and pain will both visit, the art lies in meeting them with grace, curiosity, and compassion.

Until next time,

Check us out on our socials for more fab stuff

Unsubscribe | Manage your subscription | View online