Meet Shawn Dinneen

We were lucky to catch up with Shawn Dinneen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shawn, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience comes from within me. I’ve worked hard to become an active participant in my own healing and the journey of my life. I consistently challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone, knowing that a few moments of fear or discomfort can lead to growth, confidence, and a better version of myself.

It’s easy to fall into a victim mentality, feeling sad, frustrated, or defeated by the challenges life throws our way. But I’ve chosen to focus on building a life filled with as much happiness and joy as possible, despite the difficulties I’ve faced. I actively choose a positive mindset—even when I have to push myself to find it.

Our minds can sometimes be our biggest obstacles, convincing us we’re weak, incapable, or that life is too overwhelming. But I believe in fighting back against those thoughts. I remind myself that I’m stronger than my doubts. Through affirmations, self-care, and a commitment to personal growth, I work on creating the best version of myself.

It’s not easy. It takes effort, patience, and a willingness to keep trying, even when it’s hard. But I know I’m worth that effort, and so is the life I’m building.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Shawn Dinneen, the heart behind HeartStrings Journals. My business was born out of my personal journey through grief after losing my fiancé, John, to an overdose in 2022. Journaling became a powerful tool for my healing, and I wanted to create something approachable and meaningful for others who might also be navigating challenges in life.

HeartStrings Journals offers a wide variety of journals—from grief and gratitude journals to daily reflection and custom-designed journals for businesses. I design these journals with everyone in mind: women, men, teens, and children. My goal is to make journaling accessible and enjoyable, whether you’re a seasoned journaler or just starting.

What excites me most is the opportunity to connect with people through my products and help them find moments of self-reflection, healing, and empowerment. Journaling isn’t just about writing—it’s about creating space for yourself, setting intentions, and finding clarity in a world that can often feel overwhelming.

This year, I’ve been expanding my offerings with events and creative projects. I’m planning to host more workshops, including my upcoming event “Building Resilience: Mindfulness, Manifesting, and Mocktails” on January 26th in Connecticut. I also have a few new journals in the works, including a Travel Journal. Traveling has been a major part in my healing journey, so to be able to combine two passions of mine is really exciting!

HeartStrings Journals isn’t just about products; it’s about fostering community and resilience. I hope to inspire others to embrace their own healing journeys with courage, creativity, and a belief that joy is always worth fighting for.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, vulnerability, and self-awareness.

Resilience has been my foundation. Life has thrown me some incredibly hard challenges, but I’ve chosen to actively engage in my healing rather than let those challenges define me. Resilience isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about moving through it, even when it feels unbearable. For anyone early in their journey, I’d recommend starting small. Find one thing, like journaling or practicing mindfulness, that helps you process emotions and build your strength over time.

Vulnerability has been a surprising source of strength for me. Sharing my story, whether it’s about my grief, my mental health journey, or the lessons I’ve learned along the way, has allowed me to connect with others and find deeper healing. My advice? Take baby steps. Start by being honest with yourself about your feelings. Then, when you’re ready, share your story with someone you trust or a supportive community. Vulnerability doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.

Self-awareness has been a powerful tool for growth. Learning to understand my triggers, set boundaries, and prioritize my mental health has been life-changing. For those just starting out, I’d suggest taking time to reflect, whether it’s through journaling, therapy, or just quiet moments with yourself. Ask questions like: What makes me feel strong? What drains me? How can I better take care of myself? Awareness is the first step toward creating a life that feels aligned with who you are.

For me, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every ounce of effort. If you’re starting your journey, my biggest advice is this: be patient with yourself. Growth takes time. Celebrate small wins, and don’t be afraid to seek help or support when you need it. You are worth the investment in your own healing and happiness.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! Collaboration is an important part of my journey and my work with HeartStrings Journals. I’m always looking to partner with individuals and organizations that align with my mission of fostering healing, self-expression, and community.

I’d love to connect with:

Mental health advocates and professionals: Therapists, counselors, or coaches who see the value of journaling as a tool for healing and want to collaborate on workshops, resources, or events.

Grief and loss support communities: Organizations or individuals supporting those navigating grief who are interested in incorporating journaling into their offerings or collaborating on events like my recent “Holiday Grief Relief.”

Wellness practitioners: Yoga instructors, meditation coaches, or holistic health professionals who would like to co-create experiences that combine movement, mindfulness, and journaling.

Businesses or nonprofits: Groups looking for custom-designed journals to reflect their values and support their clients, employees, or members in meaningful ways.

Podcasters and Social Media Content Creators: I love chatting and sharing my story! I would love to connect with anyone who does a podcast that gives space to open communication about hard topics. I am also always open to partnering with Social Media Content Creators that want to connect or promote my products.

If you’re passionate about creating safe spaces for healing, promoting mental health awareness, or empowering individuals to grow through self-reflection, I’d love to hear from you!

I can be found in multiple places including:
linktre.ee/HeartStringsJournals
www.HeartStringsJournals.com
Instagram & Threads: Heart_StringsJournals
Facebook: HeartStrings Journals
Tiktok: HeartStrings Journals

My DMs are ALWAYS open!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HeartStringsJournals.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Heart_StringsJournals
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/HeartStringsJournals
• Other: https://Linktr.ee/HeartStringsJournals