NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for mental health advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of trauma, healing, and associated therapies, which currently lack sufficient scientific support. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...

How do we choose joy when it feels like our circumstances could crush us? Our lives are imperfect. Messy. Real talk: Some days life just seems to suck. Is choosing joy even possible? In this memorable and fun -- yet very raw and emotionally vulnerable, “how can she talk about that with a smile on her face?” message that will make you feel a whole lot less alone – joy coach and author Robin Shear will share 3 steps to have joy despite the curveballs that life throws. Let this transparent heart-to-heart, with one unexpected route to joy in particular, point you toward hope that helps you rise up again, even on your suckiest day. Robin Shear is an international speaker, author & joy coach. She helps depleted givers have joy again. Igniting audience interaction, she leads attendees to say, “I’ve never had that much fun learning!” She’s been interviewed by TIME, The Wall Street Journal, and Psychology Today. Sharing joy was easy until she faced several hidden issues, making it a choice. Within 4 years she coped with PTSD, chronic pain and a head injury, but joy was found in the mess. Her #1 resulting book, Messy Joy: How Joy Can Begin Before Your Difficulties End, helps readers find joy in their own lives. Whether they dig deep by answering the journal questions or read the whole book in one sitting, they will feel like Robin is speaking directly to them. Robin, an ICF-certified life coach, has been a dietitian, youth pastor, and senior activity director. She's at http://robinshear.com or on socials @joycoachrobin. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx