About Me — Remi Roy

My highlights and lowlights, one decade at a time

I believe in the power of reflection. It helps me see the bigger picture and connect the dots that don’t always make sense at the moment. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately so in that vein, I thought I’d share my about me story by looking back and reflecting on the major and minor stuff that has been part of my story over the years.

Early Childhood

🎈My father passed away a few months before I was born. I didn’t find out until sometime in my early childhood years when I came across an old newspaper with an obituary with his name on it. My mother never told me herself. I don’t blame her. It was too much.

🎈I didn’t learn to walk until I was 3 years old. My poor mother had done all she could; doctors, and physical therapy, and had probably given up. I did walk, in the most unexpected way possible, but that’s a story for another day.

🎈I discovered my love for reading. I’d read the same book 45,670,833 times if I could. I particularly remember The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and The Concubine by Elechi Amadi suffering at my hands. Those books were literal rags when I was done with them. My mother fueled my passion by supplying me with books and more books.

If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older. — Tom Stoppard

Pre-teen and Teenage years

⛱️ I discovered I was an introvert and that brought on mixed feelings and eventually, feelings of insecurity. I figured I wasn’t like other people around me and I didn’t know how to manage those feelings.

⛱️ I experienced a mountaintop kind of high when, at the age of 13, I got all the awards for best performing student in my grade. I was a straight A student and apparently, that meant something. I remember walking up the stairs to the stage when my name was called. I remember feeling stunned, excited, and on top of the world but also somehow wishing the day could be over so I could go process my emotions in silence.

⛱️ I had my first crush. It lasted from ages 11–18.

⛱️ I discovered my love for writing. I’d string loose papers together to make a book of poems and stories. In those early days, I wrote as much as I read. The writing was an anchor for me, a way to process my thoughts and make sense of the world.

⛱️ I think I was depressed from the ages of 14–17. I say I think because I was never officially diagnosed but all the symptoms were there. I found it hard to laugh and play with my friends. My preferred thing to do was sit in a dark room by myself and think. I believe my state of mind at the time was brought on by existential questions that were too hard for me to answer.

⛱️I remember writing about my angst to a friend of my mother who was a clergy. He wrote back, encouraged me, and sent me some resources to read. The most poignant thing he said to me was “With Christ in the vessel, you will smile at the storm.” I have never forgotten that. It cured me of the expectation that life will always be rosy or easy. And I believe I’ve fared better because of that mindset.

It is undoubtedly true, and to our benefit, to accept that no matter how hard we pray or how long we cry, we will face ‘our giants’ in some seasons of our lives. The plan is to pray for ‘battle-ready strength’, that we may end up with our foot on the enemy’s neck and not on our back, in terror, staring at the tip of his spear! — Remi Roy

The Twenties

🧶 I wanted to become a doctor. With my background that is no surprise. But life had other plans and I never could get into medical school.

🧶 I discovered a great strategy for coping with and acing presentations that required me to step out of my comfort zone as an introvert and talk to a large group of people. I still use that strategy today and it has served me well. That’s a story I’ll be sharing soon.

🧶 I graduated college at the top of my class. Then had a string of jobs I’ll never regret no matter how daunting they felt at the time. I taught biology to high school students, worked as a cashier at an airport parking lot, customer service for a multinational telecom, and communications for a management firm before I landed a gig working for a magazine (my best 9–5 ever!).

🧶 Started writing and sharing online. Didn’t know what I was doing and certainly had no strategy or plan but it was freeing, fulfilling and so much fun!

🧶 I wrote my first book just flying by the seat of my pants.

We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten. — Cesare Pavese

The Thirties

🧱 Moved halfway across the world to start a new life. Got married 💞, made new friends, and met some incredible people.

🧱 Got my master’s degree while putting those introvert-friendly presentation hacks to even more use. Best time I had in a classroom ever!

🧱 Faced some personal traumas that almost broke me, but with Christ in my vessel, I always ended up smiling at the storm.

🧱 Decided to be a trier so I started and failed at an eCommerce business, launched and gave up on a podcast, published three books, ran writing workshops, and worked for a digital marketing agency.

🧱 Then I made a big career pivot and started my own freelancing business. My best career decision ever!

🧱 Had a blast learning more about myself and pushing myself to try things that were out of the norm for me.

🧱 Gave up on writing online after many years of burnout and frustration. Then realized what I’d been doing wrong. Now I’m back to writing again and giving it another solid shot.

We reflect on the past — its successes and failures — to inspire confidence and hope for the future. — Remi Roy

Still a self-proclaimed trier. I have decided to give myself the chance to experience every dream, every idea that I’m passionate about no matter how big or small. Why? Because I want to have no regrets. I want to keep kicking fear in the teeth and allowing myself to grow even through failure and hard times.

So excited for the future!

And that’s a wrap. 🍬

Some more random facts about me:

Food tastes better when I’m eating in a parked car. I don’t know why, it just does. 🚙

I’m not a morning person, except when I have a singular purpose for the next day, then my body wakes me up without effort. 🌅

I’m not great at gift-giving and I don’t feel bad if I don’t receive them either. 🎁

I love Jane Austen; books, movies, everything! I love her wit and subtle sarcasm. 📚

I work from home and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🏠

Curious. Have you ever reflected on the highs and lows of every decade of your life? If that sounds like something you’d like to do, please write yours and give me a shout. I’d love to read it!

If anything in my journey resonates with you, don’t forget to leave a response so we can connect. I write about lessons learned on my creative journey, navigating life as an introvert, and living by faith.

P.S. My idea for the decade breakdown actually came from my last book, This is Me; A Journal for Creative Reflection.

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