Co-Founders Bring Joy and Practical Support to Everyday Life Through New Online Community

In a world where social feeds often amplify comparison and criticism, two people have set out to create the opposite. Sara Kelly and her business partner, Lacey Tomlinson, have co-founded the Joyful Support Movement—an online community and learning platform designed to help people feel supported, organized, and emotionally grounded in everyday life.

Kelly, who brings a background in home management and household systems, was already helping families streamline daily life long before the movement existed. Tomlinson, whose professional experience centers on communications, learning design, and storytelling, had previously launched a podcast exploring what it means to navigate difficult seasons. When the two connected, their shared philosophy evolved into something larger: a structured yet compassionate space where people can show up, be honest about what they’re dealing with, and take steps toward their desired goal.

The Joyful Support Movement is centered on a three-step framework that both founders teach. The first step is acknowledging what is happening in your life—the good, stressful, overwhelming, or uncertain pieces. The second is identifying a “joy moment,” which they emphasize is not grand, expensive, or rare. Rather, it could be a moment of laughter, a warm drink, a quiet car ride, or simply noticing something that feels good, even on difficult days. The third step is identifying one small step to move forward, whether logistical or emotional. Those three actions form the basis of their courses, their conversations, and their community programs.

At the center of the movement is “The Village,” a private online space designed to give people a place to ask questions, share challenges, and receive support without trolling, shaming, or judgment. Kelly explained during her interview that traditional social platforms often make people feel worse after sharing openly, not better. The Village is meant to replicate the kind of supportive environment people wish existed in their physical communities—especially for those balancing work, caregiving, relationships, and personal well-being.

Members can post their three steps, receive encouragement, and even participate in guided sessions around certain life areas. The Village also houses the movement’s growing catalog of online courses, ranging from teaching household systems to incorporating children into home responsibilities. Kelly notes that many people reach adulthood without being taught how to manage a household in a way that reduces stress rather than adds to it. Their courses offer practical solutions, not perfection standards, and are designed to be adaptable to individual homes and capacities. Some courses, such as their meal-planning system, are even free.

The platform also produces three active podcasts, each aligning with one of the movement’s core pillars. “Sharing the Middle”—originally created and hosted by Tomlinson—explores real experiences of being in uncertain or transitional phases of life. “No Shame in Our Game,” hosted jointly, offers answers to everyday questions, expert interviews, and discussions on home organization, emotional challenges, and realistic decision-making. Their third podcast, “Joy Moments,” highlights short stories submitted by listeners featuring small but meaningful moments, serving as a collective reminder that joy is often found in daily life rather than milestone occasions.

While the movement is open to everyone, the co-founders note that many members tend to be women carrying the weight of multiple roles—work demands, household duties, child needs, aging parents, and personal goals. Their intention is not to fix problems for people, but to offer a place to talk through them, gain perspective, and take manageable next steps. They often refer to the work as “self-help with community support,” acknowledging that while individuals are capable of solving their own problems, no one should feel like they must do so alone.

Kelly and Tomlinson are also beginning to bring their community model into in-person gatherings, where participants can sit, listen, share if they choose, and move through the three-step process in a facilitated setting. The goal mirrors the online space: support without judgment, presence without pressure, and connection without performance.

For more information on The Village, upcoming events, courses, and podcasts, readers can visit joyfulsupportmovement.com. And for anyone who has ever wished there was a place to talk openly about everyday struggles—from meal planning to parenting challenges to emotional overwhelm—the Joyful Support Movement is working to be that place, one small joy at a time.