Joel's Journey
Why I Built Joyful
Hi, I'm Joel, the creator of Joyful. I want to share why this app exists.
Like many people, I struggled with anxiety. There were days when my mind felt like a storm I couldn't escape—racing thoughts, physical symptoms, and a persistent feeling that something was wrong.
I tried various things: therapy (which helped enormously), meditation apps, journaling. But I found myself wanting something that could be there in the moment, something that understood context and could engage with my actual thoughts—not just generic prompts.
The Core Belief
Through my journey, I learned something important:
Your memories of the past are not prophecies for your future.
Just because you've struggled doesn't mean you always will. Just because anxiety has been part of your story doesn't mean it has to define the next chapter.
What Joyful Is
Joyful is designed to be a companion—not a replacement for professional help, but a tool that's there when you need it:
- At 3am when your mind won't stop racing
- During a stressful day when you need to process
- In moments when you need to celebrate a win
- When you want to build better thinking habits
What Joyful Is NOT
- Not escapism: We don't help you run from problems
- Not a perfectionist's tool: Progress, not perfection
- Not a replacement for doing the work: You still have to engage
- Not therapy: If you need professional help, please seek it
Breaking the Loop
One thing I've learned: insight without action keeps us stuck. That's why Joyful combines reflection with goals and intentions. Understanding your patterns is important, but changing them requires doing something different.
My Hope for You
Whatever brought you to Joyful, I hope you find it helpful. Start small. Be honest. Be kind to yourself.
Progress is always possible.
— Joel