Bhava Joy
The Joy Behind Our Story
Hi, I’m Shawna, the person behind Bhava Joy.
For more than 15 years, much of my work has centered around peer support, family support, trauma-informed care, teaching, facilitation, and walking alongside people through some of the harder parts of life. I’ve spent years supporting families, training professionals, creating curriculum, leading groups, and reminding people that healing, growth, and connection rarely happen in a straight line.
Bhava Joy grew out of that experience.
I wanted to create something specifically for the people who spend so much of their lives showing up for others—the peer supporters, recovery mentors, family support specialists, community health workers, educators, advocates, caregivers, social workers, and other helping professionals who carry stories, offer hope, hold space, and keep coming back.
Here you’ll find journals, apparel, mugs, totes, jewelry, gifts, and other thoughtfully created pieces that reflect the real experience of helping work. Some are reflective. Some are encouraging. Some might make you laugh after a very long day. All of them are created with the belief that the person doing the helping matters, too.
Why “Bhava Joy”?
Bhava is a word connected to becoming, being, and the inner state we bring into the world. For me, Bhava Joy represents the idea that we can care deeply about others without losing ourselves in the process. We can grow, rest, laugh, explore, begin again, and make room for joy alongside meaningful work.
That philosophy shows up in more than my professional life.
When I’m not working, creating, teaching, or planning my next travel adventure, there’s a very good chance I’m answering to the actual management team behind Bhava Joy: my two cats.
Bhava Joy is still becoming—just like the people it was created for.
My hope is that this space feels like a small reminder that you are more than the role you hold for other people. You deserve reflection. You deserve boundaries. You deserve laughter, beautiful things, rest, adventure, and joy.
Thank you for being here—and especially, thank you for the work you do.