About Joy Journeys

I’ve been writing forever, trying my hand at fantasy stories in elementary school before settling on poetry around 15 years old. In words, I felt I could do whatever I wanted, with whatever form, but poetry really stuck. Instantly, I could see something else in me – something real, something massive, something pure. 

Years later, I recognize that this poetry – completely and hopelessly devoted to forlorn love sagas with my (very straight) crushes – marked the first moments of a journey with self-intimacy. Through the ups and downs since then, I remain in this exploration, insatiable to see both how close I can come to my infinite self and how I can playfully, persistently unlock this curiosity in others.

Joy Journeys, born in 2021, is the vehicle through which I hold space for intimacy. It has taken so many turns, but now I’ve found Substack and, in it, I recognize my home. Here, after so long, will I slowly start to move in, unpack my own treasures acquired in these travels, and build a space in which I, and you, might feel pride and strength. 

I’ve thought long about my vision, mission, and values for this publication, and it all comes down to three core principles: 

1. Feast: Engaged Creative Community - First and foremost, Joy Journeys is the home in which you are always welcome, always invited over for dinner or a cup of tea. I wish to see all who pass through here come together – each in our own way – around a love for learning, self-exploration, and intimate presence.

It is my vision for this to be a community known for its sharing, encouragement, and active relationship building, to be a community brought together on its sovereignty alone.

2. Legacy: Spacious Writer’s Laboratory - I’ve been deeply moved and inspired by the sheer love and encouragement swirling so abundantly on this platform. Not only is this beautiful to feel, but it has also wooed me (and others) to explore and expand in our craft as writers. There are many amazing creative spaces on Substack, but since I have the opportunity to hold my own, I’m taking it :) 

Joy Journeys will always celebrate free flowing and loving exchange, and welcomes all voices to share their art and their feedback, often. In addition to a weekly poetry prompt, I will be sharing practical resources and references to keep things both strategic and encouraging. 

3. Pride: Queerness and Sexuality - I’m an out and proud futch-y1 queer woman, but for all my liberated years (the same amount as I’ve been writing poetry), I’ve never explicitly contemplated and expressed it. Now, as I navigate a queerer new world than ever before, I will share my journey. 

But I don’t just wish to speak of my experiences alone. I’ll also explore the subtle, lesser-considered emotional and energetic aspects of collective queerness, offering a new level of intimacy for the non-queer among you and challenging perceptions through a more loving lens. 

I need to say here that I don’t speak as the voice of the collective – I can’t, and I don’t want to. I am, however, one voice of a collective… and I’m finding that I do, actually, finally, have a lot to say.

Joy Journeys is my Joy Journey – and I don’t quite know exactly where it will lead, or what we’ll meet along the way. This may not be the space for you, and that’s quite alright – I hope you find what you need elsewhere. But if it is, if your Joy Journey lines up with mine right now, then I specifically and warmly invite you inside :) 

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