Taking My Life Back

By Joy Yancey,
boutique business entrepreneur

I didn’t know what I was missing when I thought I had everything.

We lived a nice life with a nice house and a nice pool, nice clothes, nice everything. I thought things we were good, having worked my way up to a salary that gave us all that we wanted and needed in my 19 years on the job. Then, I got a slap in the face at 40. 

It actually started with several “taps” before the slap. As my job had become more and more stressful over time, with more and more time spent there, my health had started deteriorating. I had several red flags that were “taps on the shoulder” I should have paid attention to...then one day, I was forced to. I suddenly found myself on the floor of my closet, unable to move and barely able to speak. I was having a full-blown anxiety attack with skyrocketing blood pressure. My husband, Sean, didn’t know what to think – it was a wakeup call for both of us. 

A few weeks later I was still on leave of absence from work, now on 10 different medications trying to get my health back on track. It happened to be the holiday season, and for the first time ever I spent a full Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my family. It was eye-opening to realize all that I had been missing out on, with our oldest son now 17 and our family never having truly experienced the joy of these days together. For so many years, my work schedule didn’t allow it. Our family has the best traditions – we have silly games we play that include “chubby bunny” and mixing all of the leftovers together to make one disgusting drink. Until this time, I had only experienced those moments in pictures, but it took my breath away to now be a part of every moment in person. 

Another wakeup call was spending time with a friend one day and hearing her say, “It’s like I have my Joy back. I can see your personality again.” 

What did she mean by that? Where did it go? How had I lost myself unknowingly? 

The New Year came, and it was time to go back to work. I knew with my whole being that my return would only be temporary, because I now understood what I’d been missing out on and what it was taking from those I loved. I had decided, “No More!” It was time for a change – I was taking back my life. I just didn’t know how to go about it yet. 

The only thing that got me through this time was getting to know the Lord on a very personal level, and understanding that He had more for me and my family than the life we had been living. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” I was also starting to learn something else the Bible tells us: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ “ (Hebrews 13:5). 

I’m so thankful that my best girlfriend, Sarah, was helping me grow in my faith journey. Some call her my “twin,” but I call her my life saver. As I was just learning to lean on the Lord, Sarah was more confident in her relationship with Jesus and truly became a rock, a resource, and a leader. She helped me find my faith and discover my passions. I learned how very important it is to surround yourself with women of faith you can share your struggles with, so you can lift each other up and pray together. 

We started off the new year with intentional goals and vision. I knew that God was behind all that was happening, and I was deliberate in getting closer to Him. I now know that when you decide to follow Jesus, it absolutely must involve every aspect of your life. So in February 2019, I got baptized to symbolize my commitment to give my life over to Him. 

My mantras for the year became “present over perfect” and “Take the back roads.” I’m still working on both of these goals, taking a few minutes every morning to thank the Lord for this new beginning. I ask Him to guide us; I take a mental note to be present in the moment, and I remind myself that I cannot do this alone. The life-altering events I’ve gone through impacted the people I love the most, and I’m so thankful they are by my side. I’m on this journey with God, my husband, my children, and my closest friends. 

Although my stress-filled job was still in my life, I could feel things moving and shifting. My husband started a fabulously unique business that I began dabbling in as a helper, and Sarah and I were daydreaming together of being “creatives” for a living. We began to talk about the “what if’s” of a business that could combine my love of business, people, and décor, and Sara’s creative passions and big heart. “What if” we could decorate for a living? “What if” we could create things and put smiles on people’s faces? “What if” we had our own wedding décor company…and “what if” we could have a mobile photo booth for it that we created from a horse trailer? 

Out of our “what if’s” dreaming, the Ivy & Grace wedding décor business was born. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support and encouragement of both of our husbands, Sean and Seth, and my finally letting go of the belief I’d had my entire adult life: that I had to have a “normal career” or “real job.” It was scary to let go of what was so familiar, but I knew with all my heart this was what God was telling me to do. 

I’m taking my life back. I’m learning to take the back roads and be present in every moment. I’m learning who I am and who God made me to be: JOY-fully living life with purpose, passion, and the family and friends that I love! 

About Joy Yancey 

JOY YANCEY IS A WIFE, MOM OF TWO BOYS, AND A CHILD OF GOD WHO IS LEARNING HOW TO TAKE THE BACK ROADS OF LIFE. AFTER WORKING A STRESS-FILLED CORPORATE JOB FOR 19 YEARS, SHE EXPERIENCED A WAKE-UP CALL THAT OPENED HER EYES TO ALL THAT WAS NOT WORKING IN HER LIFE. AS SHE LEARNED TO LEAN ON ON THE LORD, SHE FOUND THE COURAGE TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH FOR A NEW BEGINNING. NOW AN ENTREPRENEUR AND CO-OWNER OF TWO SMALL CREATIVE BUSINESSES, JOY IS EXPERIENCING THE FULL JOY OF TAKING HER LIFE BACK! SHE LOVES THE OUTDOORS, CYCLING, “JEEPIN,” AND ANYTHING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SHE AND HER HUSBAND, SEAN HAVE TWO SONS AND LIVE OUTSIDE OF NASHVILLE. SEE HER BUSINESS LINKS BELOW.

Joy’s reSOURCEs: 

Co-Owner of Ivy & Grace Decor – Middle TN wedding décor and mobile photo booth company 

Co-Owner of The Boro Blend – Unique Gifts of wood working and candles 

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