Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyful Genia
Hi Joyful Genia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Halfway through 2018, I was deeply unhappy with my life although most people around me wouldn’t have noticed. I woke up every morning feeling sick because I dreaded going to work. I’d stay late because I was too drained to socialize, and I didn’t want to turn down invitations for cocktails. The drive home was filled with dread, knowing that I still had to deal with a pile of dishes and come up with something to cook for dinner. It was during one of those drives to work that I had a sudden realization — I needed to make a change to create more joyful moments in my life. I asked myself two questions, “How would it benefit me to create more joyful moments and how do I get there?” I was exhausted from pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t, and I was ready to embrace gratitude and joy. Realizing that I needed a change was like finding a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. It was the beginning of something amazing!
My journey toward joy began with simple steps. I started keeping a gratitude journal, writing down things I was thankful for every morning and night. I imagined waking up with excitement and planning fun activities for the evenings. As my mindset shifted, I felt my spirits lifting. I even began drawing colorful pictures of things that made me happy and writing gratitude notes to my co-workers. Despite the stressful moments that still popped up, I could feel the tide turning. I realized I wasn’t alone in this struggle when I joined in on late-night chats with friends and colleagues about our collective dissatisfaction with work and life.
One night, while driving to meet a friend for cocktails and to complain about work, an inspiration of joy latched onto me like a butterfly on a bright flower. The idea for Create a Magical Day was born! If I could benefit from simple, joyful tips, so could others. I quickly snagged the domain www.createamagicalday.com. I probably shouldn’t have been buying domains while driving, but I was just too excited to wait! (Don’t worry, I waited until I was at a light!) I was buzzing with excitement! The idea of spreading joy and helping others find it in their daily lives was exhilarating.
People always ask, “Genia, how on earth did you get started in all this joy work?”
My curiosity about what makes people truly happy has always been a driving force for me. I wanted to know what makes people genuinely happy, successful and creatively fulfilled. Why do some struggle while others find a way to thrive, often despite the most challenging circumstances? My curiosity about human potential drove me to explore everything from entrepreneurship to psychology, fitness, and even spirituality. My unique mix of skills and interests was the key to creating something truly special for me and others who needed an extra boost of joy in their lives. I channeled all that energy into Create a Magical Day, eager to share my personal tips and experiences with the world.
With Create a Magical Day, I wanted to help others find joy amid the craziness of everyday life. It wasn’t just about big changes; it was about discovering the small moments that make life magical. The journey had just begun, and I knew I was onto something wonderful. People started to connect with my message, and that kept me energized. I was excited to share my passion with the world, knowing that each small step towards joy could make a big difference in someone’s life.
My 5 Simple Tips for Joyful Living are the perfect way to kickstart your happy journey (without any major life changes!).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every year, I embark on a new adventure with a guiding word. 2020 was all about “joyful living!” Excitement buzzed through me – I’d returned to Austin from Houston to be near my dad, landed a dream job at Google, and had epic trips planned with loved ones on the horizon. But life, as it often does, had other plans.
Just 15 days into the year, my world shattered. My dad, my rock, my partner-in-crime, passed away unexpectedly. Grief, a monstrous wave, threatened to drown me. We were two peas in a pod; his unwavering support, infectious optimism, and shoulder to cry on were suddenly gone. Finding him myself added another layer of unbearable pain.
Here’s the thing about grief – it doesn’t follow a script. While the world braced for the looming pandemic, my personal storm raged within. (Wow, writing this is getting me a little teary-eyed, but you get the picture.)
But let’s talk about Dad! My Dad, a man who defined joy. He was sunshine personified. Our house was a revolving door for anyone needing a haven, his laughter echoing through the halls. He could quote scripture faster than you could say “amen,” he prioritized family above all else, and his storytelling skills were legendary. Sure, his tales sometimes stretched on a bit, but that was just part of his charm. A master salesman for South Western Bell Yellow Pages, the pre-Google era, he could “sell black out of night” with the best of them.
His kindness went beyond the boardroom. He’d part my hair before school, become my personal shopping buddy, and shower me with love and encouragement. He believed in me like nobody’s business, and I could talk about him for hours – a testament to the joy he brought to my life, and countless others.
Determined to honor my word for the year, I clung to the concept of joyful living. My Instagram platform, “Create a Magical Day,” had become a hub for spreading joy. I committed to continuing my posts, sharing my own journey from crushing grief to glimmers of joy.
This platform became my anchor. By helping others find joy, I found ways to reclaim it for myself. Hosting virtual workshops sparked pure magic, proving the truth – we learn best by teaching. It wasn’t a cure-all, but it was a spark in the darkness.
For a short while, Oreos became my comfort food. Not the healthiest choice, but hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do – they offered a temporary solace. Thankfully, self-awareness is a superpower I possess. I recognized the pattern – the sugar rush, the tightening jeans. With grace and a gentle nudge, I promised myself to revisit this coping mechanism later. A month passed, and the answer was clear: the Oreos had served their purpose. It was time to move on.
My focus on joy became my North Star in this storm. The year kept throwing punches. My best friend, the first person I called after I found dad, left my life. My son, innocently caught in a protest, was injured by police. My marriage crumbled. And then came the isolating reality of Covid.
Through it all, the glimmers of joy remained. I credit my resilience to those who helped me navigate the darkness: my rock-solid family and friends, the incredible clients who believed in me, and the belief in joy itself.
2020 wasn’t the joyful year I envisioned, but it became a testament to the human spirit’s ability to find light even in the deepest despair. It was a year of immense loss, yes, and also a year of unexpected harmony. It taught me that joy is a choice, a practice, a fountain of resilience that resides within us all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Create a Magical Day is not only the title of my company and podcast—it’s the mantra I live by and the key to a joyful, prosperous, freedom-rich life. As a Texas-born joy guide, I specialize in helping busy, self-care minded women infuse more joy into their everyday lives through practical, accessible methods they can implement immediately.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach to joy—combining spiritual practices, creative expression, and practical self-care techniques. Our offerings include the weekly Create a Magical Day Podcast featuring both solo episodes and inspiring interviews, an online boutique with carefully curated joy-inducing products, and digital tools like the Joy Map quarterly planner and Joyful Prompts for Creative Journaling.
I’m most proud of all the people I’ve helped over the years tap into their inner joy to create magical lives. It feels incredible to aid someone in their own growth. I always say I am just a vessel to share the goodness. It makes my heart smile when someone sends me a DM or text sharing how something I’ve shared really helped them through a bad day, boosted their joy, or reminded them of the simple aspects of joy. That’s what keeps me going, especially when it feels no one is watching.
As one workshop participant, Chris F., shared: “The Bringing Joy Back Workshop was full of joy and community. Genia provided such a warm space for reflection and sharing. My primary takeaway is that practicing gratitude is a powerful way to receive more things to be grateful for in my life.”
My company is built on a bedrock of love, a passion for what’s possible, and a commitment to be an unstoppable force for good. We don’t promise polished perfection—I make mistakes and have crappy days just like everyone else. Instead, we offer thought-provoking ideas, timeless wisdom, a sprinkle of childlike wonder, and a fierce dedication to helping women live their most expansive, expressive, and joyful lives.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
For me, over the next 5 to 10 years, I see the self-help and self-care space evolving into something even more human-centered and joy-focused. People are tired of the idea that self-care has to be this big, time-consuming thing. Instead, I see a shift toward helping people create bite-sized, joyful moments that fit into their real, busy lives—and that’s exactly what I’m passionate about with Create a Magical Day.
There’s going to be a bigger emphasis on blending fun with personal growth. The future feels less like “doing the work” in a heavy way and more about living the work—through community, creativity, and playfulness. I also think more people will be craving authentic connections, both online and in-person, so I see in-person gatherings and retreats becoming just as important as digital tools like apps and AI personalization.
For me, it’s about showing people that joy isn’t something you have to chase—it’s something you can create in small ways, every single day. I believe the self-help space will continue leaning into that mindset, helping people shift from constant self-improvement to self-acceptance, celebration, and joy.
Pricing:
- 9.97 Joy Map: Quarterly Vision & Goal Setting Workbook
- $2.99 Joyful Prompts for Creative Journaling
- 20.99 Joyful Journals
- $47-$247 for online and live workshops
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.createamagicalday.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createamagicalday
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createamagicalday
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyfulgenia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@createamagicalday
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-magical-day-podcast/id1536208324?i
Image Credits
Gem Hale
