Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sylva Joye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sylva thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

A dear friend sent me a handwritten letter and it moved me to tears. It was so unexpected and so sweet. They had also included a photo from a trip we had taken together. I wanted to send something special to them in return and that’s when I got inspired to make stationery products. I have a bunch of travel photos just sitting on my phone. Why not make my own gift?! I’m starting with notebooks and will branch out into journals and gift cards. We’re more thoughtful and revealing when we write by hand and I want to encourage that in this text-heavy world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I offer notebooks and journals with artwork inspired by ancient Egypt. If you are inspired by the spirituality of ancient Egyptians and you prefer writing things down instead of notetaking in an app, then these notebooks are for you!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

My creativity took off when I started affirming that my kind of creativity counts. I don’t paint or draw. I don’t make music or act. But I *do* create tarot spreads and tea blends and business plans for my entrepreneurial friends. My creativity is inspired when I’m solving problems or bringing clarity and organization. Those are the moments when I lose track of time or get lightning-strike ideas. Once I realized that, I began to see other areas where I have that same energy–making jewelry, doodling in Canva–and I embraced it from there.

Creativity lies at the nexus of inspiration, challenge, and fun. It doesn’t have to be done in a certain way or at a certain level to be legitimate. You don’t have to create for others or for money to claim that label. When we let go of our pre-conceived notions about it, we allow our own creativity to flow.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Now is a pivotal time in my life. Post-pandemic, I was starting over on several fronts: single, unemployed, living alone again. My goal was to re-establish myself and improve my standard of living while I was at it. I thought I had made it when I scored a better paying job and a bigger apartment. Fast forward three years and I was unemployed and homeless to boot.

With time as my only abundance, I began to reflect. What choices had I made? What parts of my story was I skipping over? Where did I need growth and self-mastery? Complete honesty was the only way I would I rise up from this ten of swords experience. The silver lining was that now, unlike previous times in life, I had spiritual tools and resources to help me right myself. So, I dedicated myself to bringing my life into alignment. Insights and inspiration soon came:

It’s not about what I can have, but what I can do.
Play to my strengths.
Dream bigger.
Have a sense of purpose about my whole self, not just certain areas of my life.

Currently I am starting my own business, self-publishing another book, and making plans to go back to school. The way forward is through more freedom, more chance-taking, more vulnerability. This pivotal realignment honors my somatic declaration to live into my largesse. I am excited to show myself how much bigger I can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://godcomplex.shop
• Instagram: @shop_godcomplex

Image Credits

Sylva Joye