Reclaiming Joy When Everything Feels Heavy: Your Light Is Still Rising

Life doesn’t always offer smooth, sunny days. Sometimes, we’re thrown into the thick of emotional storms—grief, trauma, burnout, or an overwhelming sense of being lost. In those moments, joy can feel like a distant memory. But here’s the truth: your light is never gone. It’s simply hidden beneath the weight of what you’re carrying.

In a recent episode of The Journey of an Awakening Spirit, I opened my heart and shared a deeply personal experience—the recent death of my father. His passing unearthed more than grief. It triggered the rise of old emotions, memories of a complicated relationship, and the surprising sensation of finally feeling safe. For many who’ve been victimized, the death of a perpetrator is layered and complex. There is grief, yes—but there’s also a strange sense of relief, release, and realization.

What I’ve come to understand is that heaviness doesn’t mean joy is gone. It means growth is happening. It means healing is stirring. And even in those moments when it feels like everything is falling apart, something sacred is coming together.

The Illusion of Isolation

One of the most painful lies we tell ourselves is that we are alone in our suffering. That no one could possibly understand what we’re feeling. But in truth, Spirit always holds space for us—even when we can’t hold it for ourselves. In a small support group, I was reminded that even on days when I feel broken, I am still surrounded by love. We all are. Sometimes, our greatest strength is simply reaching out and saying, “I need help.” Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s a doorway back to connection.

Joy Never Leaves—It Waits

Grief and emotional pain can bury joy under layers of fatigue, confusion, and numbness. But joy never dies. It whispers in the small moments: a warm breeze, a cat curled beside you, the fragrance of lilacs, or the vibrant colors of a meal you lovingly prepare. These moments matter. They are lifelines.

Even when your nervous system is on overload, when your body is trembling from suppressed memories or deep soul exhaustion, your spirit is still rising. You are still becoming. As you breathe, ground, and give yourself grace, you allow space for joy to rise again—naturally, gently, in its own time.

Emotions Are Just Messengers

During my father’s passing, unresolved childhood wounds surfaced—the ones tied to not feeling safe, worthy, or loved. But instead of fighting the emotions, I allowed myself to feel. I honored the tears, the anger, the confusion. And I discovered that our emotions are simply messengers. They don’t define us—they guide us. When we let them flow, we make room for light to return.

Healing Is Not Linear—It’s Layered

It’s easy to believe that once we’ve done “the work,” we’re done. But healing isn’t a one-time event. It’s a spiral. New layers appear as we become stronger. The goal isn’t to avoid pain—it’s to become more whole through it. It’s to reclaim your soul’s sovereignty by remembering who you truly are: a radiant being of light, love, and divine purpose.

Give Yourself Permission to Feel Joy—Even Now

Reclaiming joy is an act of rebellion in a world that tells us we need to earn it. But you don’t. You deserve to feel joy—even while grieving. Even in the middle of emotional chaos. Even when nothing makes sense. The sun never stops shining just because clouds appear. And your light never stops rising just because you feel heavy.

So take a breath. Place your hand over your heart. Ask Spirit to hold you. And find one spark of joy today—just 1%. Let that be enough.

You are not broken. You are becoming.