Meet Debby Lightman

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Debby Lightman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Debby below.

Debby, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I wasn’t really sure what my purpose was for a long time. So, finding my purpose was really a very slow process of unfolding and unlearning in order to come back to myself.
I spent a lot of years doing what I thought I was supposed to do, or was told to do. I showed up for everyone else, keeping things running, holding it all together, keeping the peace, and making sure things looked “perfect” on the outside. I was a perpetual people-pleaser. But over time, I started to realize that I felt anxious, unhappy, and very disconnected – from my creativity, my voice, and mostly from myself.
That’s when mindfulness found me. It wasn’t one big turning point. It was more like a quiet series of moments where I realized I couldn’t keep living on edge, in my head, & trying to get it all right. I started turning inward, gently and slowly. I started practicing just learning how to be with myself, to notice what I was feeling, to pay attention to the stories I was carrying, and to make space for things I had been pushing aside for a long time.
I came back to teaching and creating not to produce anything or prove anything, but just to feel again. I began to express what didn’t always have words and that led me to sharing what I was learning. I didn’t have all the answers, but I started offering the tools that were helping me and the words I wrote that I always wanted to hear. That’s what began to take shape as a business. I didn’t set out to start a business at all. I just wanted to share what was helping me feel more human and alive. I made little affirmation cards, taught mindfulness classes, and offered simple one-minute mindfulness activities. I was creating the tools and writing the words for people like me – over-thinkers, caretakers, and sensitive souls who needed space to breathe and sincere understanding so that they felt a little less alone. It was working for me and so, I hoped I could help other people struggling too. I knew I wasn’t alone. And, I was right – the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive and it’s what I needed to keep going. I was helping myself, while helping others, and it continues to feel so perfectly aligned in my life. At the request of many customers, I have now started a podcast too, called Drawn In, where I discuss how to overcome many obstacles in life.
So I guess I didn’t really “find” my purpose. I uncovered it through presence, through creativity, and through learning how to listen to myself again. And now I get to help other people do the same – to reconnect with their own inner voice and build a life that feels like theirs.
It’s still always evolving and I continue to allow it to flow in whatever direction feels right and real. That’s what matters most to me. My purpose isn’t just about teaching mindfulness or selling products. It’s about helping people turn inward, reconnect with themselves, and create lives that feel more honest. I think purpose is less about what you do and more about how you show up.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the owner, artist, and educator of Mindfulnice, which is a blend of everything I care about – mindfulness, creativity, emotional honesty, and the courage to show up as yourself. I create products and experiences that help people reconnect with themselves in a grounded, meaningful way – whether that’s through art, words, or quiet moments of reflection.
Right now, I’m really excited about my new podcast, Drawn In. It’s a space where I talk about the messy, beautiful overlap between mindfulness and creativity. Each episode explores what it means to live a more present, honest life – especially as a creative person in a noisy world. I keep it real and reflective, and I love hearing from people who say it feels calming and comfortable, like having a conversation with a close friend.
I am also launching an online course called Mindscapes, which guides people through the practice of intuitive abstract art as a mindfulness exercise. It’s designed for anyone who wants to create without pressure – just for the sake of expression and exploration. The course is rooted in mindfulness, and it helps people loosen their grip on perfectionism and learn to trust their instincts on the page.
Everything I do, whether it’s my art, my products, or the podcast, is about making space to feel, to pause, and to come back to yourself. I believe we all have a quiet truth inside us, and sometimes we just need the right tools and practices to hear it again.

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?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been:
1. Learning to trust myself.
This sounds simple, but it took a long time. I spent years looking outside myself for approval – trying to be what other people needed me to be. Mindfulness helped me learn how to turn inward and actually hear my own thoughts, feelings, and intuition. For anyone starting out, I’d say: start small. Get quiet for five minutes a day. Notice what’s there without judgment. That’s where self-trust begins.

2. Letting go of perfection.
Whether it’s art, business, or healing – nothing good happens when you’re strangled by the idea of doing it “right.” I used to wait until I had everything figured out before making a move, and I stayed stuck for too long. Now I practice what I call “imperfect practice.” Just start and allow it to be messy. You’ll learn so much more by doing than by overthinking.

3. Getting comfortable being seen.
This one’s still a work in progress. Putting myself and my work out there – especially when it’s personal – felt terrifying at first. But I’ve learned that vulnerability is where connection happens. If you’re early in your journey, surround yourself with people who see your heart, not just your output. Connecting with even just one person who feels safe can make all the difference. And, remind yourself often that your voice matters.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One of the books that had a huge impact on me was The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna. I remember reading it at a time when I was feeling stuck—doing all the things I thought I “should” be doing, trying to be who everyone else needed me to be, and feeling completely disconnected from myself in the process.
That book gave me language for something I had been quietly sensing for years. The idea that “should” is all the external expectations we absorb – what’s safe, acceptable, responsible – and that “must” is the inner calling we can’t ignore. Reading that was like someone flipping a switch and the light was finally on. I realized I had been living almost entirely in “should.” And it was costing me my peace, my creativity, and my sense of self.
It didn’t all change overnight, but that book was a turning point. It helped me start choosing differently – choosing what felt true, even when it was scary. That’s really what my work is about now: helping others recognize when they’re stuck in “should” and giving them tools to move toward their “must.” Whether that’s through mindfulness, intuitive art, or just learning to pause and listen, we all deserve to come home to ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindfulnice.com
• Instagram: @mindfulnice_com
• Other: Podcast: Drawn In