Hey Reader heeeeey – and Happy FriYAYYYYY! 💃🏾

Remember a couple weeks ago, I shared my Top 5 wins from 2025 — the faith stretches, the milestones, the growth moments?

Well, today I want to take you behind-the-scenes and share something more important:

The discipline behind the JOY.

Because one of the biggest misconceptions about JOY at work is that it’s soft, fleeting, or circumstantial.

If you’re stepping into this year with good intentions — for your home, your work, your health, your faith, your identity — then you deserve more than inspiration.

You deserve a repeatable rhythm that actually supports your life.

And here’s the truth:

JOY isn’t soft.
JOY isn’t accidental.
​JOY is a practice of alignment.

Not with perfection — but with what matters most.

Last year, I re-anchored how I approached my goals, my time, and my energy — both personally and professionally. Not by adding more… but by simplifying more.

Here’s the 5-part discipline framework behind it — the same lens I use in my JOY work with women, caregivers, and organizations.

You can borrow it for your own JOYrney™ this season!
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1️⃣ Foundation before performance

I stopped making urgency my compass — and returned to values, faith, and clarity.

When your inner foundation is steady, your leadership — at home and at work — becomes steadier too.

Not perfect.

But grounded.

2️⃣ Consistency over motivation

Releasing 18+ podcast episodes and reaching my 100th episode wasn’t about feeling inspired every week.

It was about follow-through.

Motivation is unreliable.
Consistency builds momentum.
Momentum builds confidence.

Tiny faithful steps > dramatic bursts.

3️⃣ Community as strategy — not a bonus

I invested in environments that supported my mind, body, spirit, and leadership.

Community isn’t just social — it’s structural support.

The right rooms replenish you.
The wrong rooms drain you.

Pay attention to which one you’re sitting in.

4️⃣ Courage over comfort

I faced a lifelong fear and learned to swim — and yes, as of January 13th your girl can officially swim up to 20-meters freestyle and a 25-meter backstroke now. 💪🏾

Growth rarely feels convenient.

But courage compounds — in your confidence, your calling, and your capacity.

5️⃣ Service with what’s already in your hands

Instead of waiting for better timing, more resources, or perfect clarity — I served with what I already had.

Teaching. Encouraging. Showing up.

Faithfulness with what’s in your hands often unlocks what’s next.

The Throughline?

JOY doesn’t come from excess, perks, productivity hacks – or even having it “all together”.

It grows from:

• clarity
• simplicity
• alignment
• and disciplined intention

This matters all the time – but especially in Q1 and Q2 — because this is where many people start strong with great intentions, and then quietly abandon what they said mattered most.

I don’t want that for you.

If you’re ready for a deeper, guided reset — I’m creating something to support women, mothers, and caregivers develop a JOYful habit of discipline around making their JOY a priority. This will be a space to help you reset your rhythms, redefine your priorities, and reconnect with the life God is calling you into.

If you’re interested in hearing more, let me know (by simply replying “I’m interested”) and I’ll be sure to share more at a later time!

In the meantime, send me a message letting me know your top 5 goals/intentions for this quarter!

I’m cheering you on this year — in your home, your calling, your leadership, and your rest.

Here’s to a focused, faith-filled, and fruitful Q1! 🙌🏾

We’re on the JOYrney™ together… one feel-good thing at a time.
Erica

The JOYrney To Purpose® Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Athena Avellanet, mom of five, Bible teacher, and host of the My Name Is Daughter podcast — for a faith-filled conversation about identity, motherhood, and what keeps so many women feeling trapped.

Together we open the floor for a transparent and vulnerable conversation around what it truly means to walk with God in His assignment – and thrive as a parent and caregiver – even when it feels like everything is less than ideal.

If you’re navigating motherhood, leadership, or a demanding season of life and wondering why JOY feels so far away, I pray this conversation blesses you!

Have an amazing weekend, friend!

We’re on the JOYrney™ together — one feel-good thing at a time,
Erica