Meet Marcy Hughes-johannes

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcy Hughes-johannes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcy below.

Marcy, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Since my teenage years, I have carried the weight of depression—a relentless force that ebbs and flows, shaping much of my inner world. It has cost me friendships, revealing that some people, whom I once held close, never truly understood or valued my mental health. Instead of offering compassion, they used my struggles as a means to mock me. With time, I came to realize that losing them was a necessary release—they were not the kind of people meant to walk this path with me.

In 2020, the growing tide of anxiety became too much to bear, and for the first time as an adult, I sought out therapy. That experience felt like a much-needed exhale after holding my breath for years. To finally have someone listen—truly listen—and affirm my feelings was transformative. It was a reminder that my voice, my pain, and my experience mattered.

Then came the profound loss of a miscarriage, and with it, the scattered threads of my mind unraveled further, intensifying the symptoms of ADHD that I had yet to fully understand. It wasn’t until about a year later that I was formally diagnosed. That diagnosis didn’t change who I was, but it offered clarity and validation—an understanding that the chaos wasn’t my fault. It was simply a part of me waiting to be acknowledged.

Through the guidance of therapy and the connection I’ve built within my Twitch community, I’ve found support during my highest peaks and deepest valleys. This journey isn’t linear, but with each step, I’m learning to embrace myself fully—imperfections and all.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Marcy, and I’m a content creator and streamer on Twitch, as well as the owner of the Etsy shop, Moonlightwreath, where I sell handcrafted floral wreaths and headbands. My love for florals started in my 20s when I worked at a floral shop in Maryland, but deep down, I always wanted to create on my own terms. Corporate life never felt like home.

It was my Twitch community that gave me the courage to take that leap. The joy of seeing someone—often a complete stranger—love something I’ve made is indescribable. Since launching my Etsy shop in late 2021, I’ve made over 350 sales. Right now, I’m focused on crafting Fall wreaths and preparing for the holiday season.

I also began my journey in content creation in 2021, and quickly fell in love with it. I’ve built a community that I genuinely cherish, and I’ve formed friendships that will last a lifetime. On Twitch, I mostly play cozy games like The Sims 4, Stardew Valley, and a variety of indie titles. I’m also passionate about creating a cozy Black content creator space, fostering a community for those who often feel overlooked in the cozy gaming scene.

The essence of my brand is a blend of florals, moonlight, and just a hint of witchy vibes—a reflection of the energy I bring both to my creations and my streams.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three key qualities that have shaped my journey are flexibility, grace, and determination. Flexibility has been essential in allowing me to see challenges from multiple perspectives and adapt my approach. I’ve made countless wreaths that I wasn’t happy with, but being open to feedback has been pivotal in improving my designs.

Grace, on the other hand, has taught me not to be overly critical of myself when things don’t go as planned. I’m still learning, and it’s okay to make mistakes. Perfection isn’t a requirement for success, especially when you’re just starting out.

Determination has been my anchor, keeping me moving forward when sales are slow or when I’m not feeling mentally prepared to stream. It’s that inner resolve that pushes me through the hard days.

For anyone starting out in content creation, my advice is simple: just do it. There’s no right or wrong way to begin. Whether you’re hitting the go-live button on Twitch or creating a video for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you’ll find your community. Trust me, your people are out there.

As for Etsy, I recommend doing your research. Watching advice videos can be helpful, but you’ll need to sift through a lot of course-selling pitches. Above all, make your listings. Etsy is an amazing platform, and there are people out there who will love what you create.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

One challenge I’m currently facing is reintegrating into my businesses after taking a year away. I returned to corporate America during that time, and my mental health took a significant hit. I found myself drained, with no energy or time left to create.

Recently, I made the decision to quit that job to focus fully on my Etsy shop and Twitch content again. I’m also pursuing a new direction by working toward a bookkeeping certification, with the aim of securing freelance clients once I’m certified. Balancing this transition has been tough, but I’m determined to make it work.

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