We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shawn Dinneen. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Shawn , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many of us are secretly struggling with the weight of the world right now. The constant negativity and division between people feels heavier than ever. It’s like there’s this invisible weighted blanket draped over all of us made up of fear, frustration, and fatigue. Between the political climate, the lack of accessible help for those in need, and the endless noise of social media, it’s easy to feel like there’s no space left for joy or hope.
It’s hard to know what’s real anymore… what news to trust, what voices are genuine, and what’s AI-generated. That uncertainty breeds disconnection and mistrust. Many of us are walking on eggshells, afraid to say the “wrong” thing or be misunderstood. For those who’ve lived through narcissistic or abusive relationship dynamics, the world can even start to feel eerily similar, like we’re constantly trying to navigate chaos without setting off another storm.
Underneath it all, I think we’re craving connection. Real, dependable, heart-centered connection. We’re missing the sense of family, community, and belonging that used to ground us. Deep down, I think we’re all searching for those little pockets of safety. Our own villages of people we can truly trust and lean on through both the good and the hard times.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Shawn Dinneen, the heart behind HeartStrings Journals, a brand born from my own journey through grief after losing my fiancé, John, in 2022 to an overdose. Writing became my lifeline during that time. It helped me process the unthinkable, find small moments of peace, and eventually reconnect with myself. What started as a personal healing practice evolved into something bigger, a way to help others navigate their own emotions through journaling.
HeartStrings Journals are designed to be approachable, supportive, and human. They’re not just blank pages, they’re companions for every chapter of your story, whether you’re working through grief, building resilience, cultivating gratitude, or simply needing a place to unload the noise of everyday life. I believe journaling doesn’t have to be perfect or pretty… it just has to be honest.
What makes HeartStrings special is the intention behind every journal. Each one is created with empathy, many with guided prompts, and a deep understanding that healing isn’t linear. My hope is that these journals become safe spaces for people to express what words sometimes fail to say and reminders that even in our darkest seasons, there’s still light, growth, and connection to be found.
Right now, I’m continuing to expand HeartStrings by continuing to add new options to my offerings, conducting journaling workshops, attending grief-focused events, and sharing stories of resilience through my story telling series Paths of Purpose. My goal is to build a community where people feel seen, supported, and reminded that they are never alone in their story and there are always brighter days ahead.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
After the tragic loss of my fiancé in 2022, I dove headfirst into the grief space. I was desperate to find healing, something that could make the pain disappear overnight. In that search, I found solace in community and connection with others who understood the depth of loss. Those “griefy” pockets of companionship gave me space to vent, to be seen, to feel validated. They were such an important part of my healing journey, and I’ll always be grateful for them.
But over time, I realized that some of those spaces were also keeping me tethered to my pain. I had worked so hard to climb out of the darkness, yet certain conversations and dynamics kept pulling me back in. That’s when I understood it was time to release the part of me that needed to live fully in the grief space.
My work and my heart no longer belong solely to grief. My passion now lies in resilience: in helping people see that no matter what pain, loss, or trauma they’ve endured, there is still joy to be found. There is still good in the world. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, it means learning to look forward again. I want to help others stop staring into the rearview mirror, because we’re not going that way anymore.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self: You are awesome, exactly as you are. People appreciate you for your authenticity, not for how well you fit in or play a part.
I spent so much of my youth worrying about what others thought of me, convinced that people didn’t like me or were secretly judging me. I was overly critical of my looks, my body, my personality, and it kept me from realizing that I was already enough. I never stopped to consider that maybe everyone else was just as wrapped up in their own insecurities. I often wonder now how people I went to high school with actually perceived me, because looking back as an adult I know we were all just fighting our own battles and trying to do our best. No one was nearly as concerned with me as I was consumed with how much I thought I was being judged. I wish I could go back and live those years with the self-awareness I have now, free from the weight of comparison and the fear of being misunderstood.
So to my younger self: You are beautiful. You are funny. You are more than enough. Stop shrinking yourself to fit other people’s expectations. The opinions of others are none of your business! Just keep showing up as you, because that’s exactly who the world needs.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I’ve always believed you never want to be the smartest person in the room. I think where many “smart” people get it wrong today is by prioritizing power and status over connection, listening, and genuine learning.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to be the one who knows it all… the expert, the leader, the person others turn to for direction, but true wisdom isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being open to new ones. A good leader listens. They take feedback, stay curious, and welcome positive change instead of resisting it.
If you’re always the smartest person in every room you enter, you’re in the wrong room. Growth happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking, offer different perspectives, and inspire you to keep learning. Intelligence isn’t about being right, it’s about being receptive.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Honestly? No… and I don’t think many people would willingly admit that.
We often say we’ll “give it our all” no matter what, but the truth is, recognition matters. When someone dies, we fill the room with flowers which is a beautiful tribute, but one they’ll never see or feel. I believe in giving people their flowers while they’re still here.
In that same vein, I need to know that what I’m doing is making a difference. That it’s creating a positive ripple effect. If I’m not receiving feedback, encouragement, or signs that my work is meaningful, it tells me something’s off. Maybe I need to pivot, refine, or reconnect with my “why.”
Positive reinforcement isn’t about ego; it’s about connection. Knowing that what I pour my heart into is reaching others fuels my drive to keep showing up and giving my best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HeartStringsJournals.com
- Instagram: @Heart_StringsJournals
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/HeartStringsJournals
- Other: https://Linktr.ee/HeartStringsJournals
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
