Meet Irene Ekdahl

We recently connected with Irene Ekdahl and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Irene, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
As the visionary behind remove Your Shadow™ journals, I want to emphasize that journaling is an integral part of my self-care routine—a practice that supports the ability to direct one’s life, rather than allowing life to dictate one’s path. Journaling is a simple yet effective tool that I am eager to share with the world. I strongly advocate for people to integrate journaling into their daily lives, and I am thrilled to discuss its impact on my effectiveness.

The journey began with my personal experiences as a former foster youth, overcoming years of child abuse. Journaling became my refuge—a transformative practice to release stress, confront fears, and plan for a brighter future. Journaling played a crucial role in preparing for therapy; initially, it was challenging for me to verbally express the abuse I went through. Writing provided clarity and allowed me to release trauma so that when the time came to speak with a therapist, our sessions became more effective. Recognizing the profound benefits, I decided to make journaling a lifelong practice.

This passion evolved into the creation of remove Your Shadow journals, unique tools designed to help individuals adopt the discipline of journaling—an often daily written record of oneself.

Journaling is a simple but powerful tool that, if integrated into your daily self-care routine, can help reduce stress, focus on gratitude, and organize your goals for greater achievability. Much like brushing your teeth, going to the gym, or therapy, journaling should be a regular part of everyone’s schedule. Although often overlooked, I believe it can make a positive impact on everyone’s life if they start incorporating it.

My thriving journal business, available at major online retailers worldwide, reflects my desire to inspire individuals to take control of their lives through the discipline of daily written reflection. My journals assist people with their self-care, wellness, and Christian faith. Beyond creating journals, I am dedicated to raising awareness about the therapeutic benefits of journaling for those in foster care.

My diverse background, including a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from UC San Diego, former professional dancer, author, speaker, foster youth advocate, Mexican immigrant, and adjunct professor at UC San Diego, has shaped my holistic approach to self-care. The remove Your Shadow online course and Introduction to Journaling Workshop are extensions of this commitment to helping others with their self-care and personal growth.

The impact that journaling has had on my life has helped shape who I am today. It has been transformative. It has not only contributed to my personal well-being but has also empowered me to be more effective in advocating for foster care youth and spreading awareness about the therapeutic benefits of journaling.

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 am the founder and owner of remove Your Shadow™. The goal of my brand is to create guided journals that are thoughtfully designed tools, going beyond mere notebooks; they are companions on your journey of self-discovery and growth. Each journal is crafted to guide individuals through the process of daily reflection, providing prompts and exercises that encourage introspection, gratitude, and goal-setting. remove Your Shadow journals are not just writing tools; they serve as gateways to unlocking one’s full potential, fostering resilience, and reclaiming power over one’s life.

In the summer of 2024, I will be launching an online journaling course to introduce individuals to personal journaling. My mission is to assist people in getting started on their journaling journey, especially considering the various types of journals available. I will break down the different types of journaling, enabling individuals to explore more about their needs, wants, and values. Subsequently, I will assign different journaling exercises for participants to complete and discuss within our online journaling community.

The self-discovery achieved through journaling is the key to delving deep into who you are, fostering greater self-awareness, which, in turn, is crucial for making the right choices in your life. The journaling support group will provide a platform for individuals to share their discoveries and progress toward removing the shadow in their life, reflecting the essence of my brand’s name, remove Your Shadow. The shadow in your life represents anything blocking or holding you back from living to the fullest, and journaling is a simple yet powerful tool to aid in its removal.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As a beneficiary of personal journaling, I believe it was crucial to achieving my goals. Journaling helped me remove the shadow of my childhood abuse and navigate the challenges of being rescued, transitioning to foster care. Coping with the stresses of such a rapid change in my life, journaling enabled me to focus on writing about the small things I was grateful for, such as being rescued from a home where, for seven years of my childhood, I was not safe. Had I not been rescued, the situation could have ended up much worse.

In my journal, I would reflect on what I wanted my future to be like, expressing my aspirations to graduate high school, graduate college, and travel the world. Remarkably, I achieved all of those goals. I am forever grateful to the person who introduced me to journaling, as I was able to pick it up while in foster care. I highly recommend people try journaling, as they will reap numerous benefits.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who wants to take control of their life, rather than letting life circumstances take control. They recognize the transformative power of personal journaling and its ability to overcome challenges, fostering personal growth. I work well with individuals who are open to self-reflection, willing to navigate through their own shadows, and committed to setting and working towards meaningful goals. Although I believe we can all benefit from journaling, much like we benefit from going outside, exercising, and spending time with loved ones, those who value the benefits of journaling and are eager to explore its potential for self-discovery make ideal clients for me.

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