Many of us are starting 2025 with a resolution to journal more. However, once we get the pen and paper, oftentimes some can be plagued with writer’s block.
Shawn, founder of HeartString Journals, has the perfect solution for those who want to embark on a healing journey, but once again, don’t know where to begin. It all started with searching for ways to cope with grief, and went from there.
Heartstring Journals is more than just journals — Shawn uses her website to also write amazing blog posts that deal with topics relating to grief, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which is amazing to read.
So read on for Shawn’s inspiring story.
Tell me about yourself. What is your background?
Hi, I’m Shawn Dinneen, the creator of HeartStrings Journals. My
journey into journaling began after the loss of my fiancé, John, in
2022 to an overdose. That loss completely upended my world. Journaling became my safe space—a way to process grief, reflect, and rediscover myself. It’s been a tool of healing through struggles like anxiety, toxic relationships, and overthinking, which I’ve faced throughout my life. HeartStrings Journals grew out of my personal story and my passion for helping others find solace and strength through shared connection, vulnerability, and resources for healing.
What inspired you to start HeartStrings Journals?
HeartStrings Journals was born from my own healing process. Losing my late fiance John left me searching for ways to cope with grief and
chaos, and journaling became a lifeline. It helped me make sense of my
feelings and find peace in small moments. I wanted to share that with
others who might also be navigating tough times, whether it’s grief,
anxiety, or just the daily stresses of life. My goal is to make
journaling approachable for everyone—no matter where they are in their journey. Journaling seems simple in theory. You open up a page and write, what is so hard about that, right? But when you open up to a
blank page in the midst of heightened emotions it can cause a freeze
response, frustration, and be very overwhelming. I find that using
simple prompts can help you get the same benefits of journaling
without it seeming like such a daunting task.
Is there a journal that you recommend to give as a holiday gift?
For the holidays or any other occasion really, I recommend our
gratitude journal. It’s a wonderful way to encourage someone to focus
on the positive moments in life, even during tough seasons. It’s a
thoughtful way of showing you care,providing a small token of
positivity, and hope of better days ahead.
What do the journals look like on the inside?
Our journals are designed to be user-friendly and versatile. Inside,
you’ll find a mix of layouts—some are lined and others include
thoughtful prompts to guide your writing. The daily reflection journal
has space for listing the good and bad from each day along with a
small space for other thoughts if you feel inclined to write more.
This is my favorite and most simple journal. Writing a list is much
more achievable than trying to document out your entire day, but the
intention of releasing the negativity and finding the positivity is
still very therapeutic. I also have gratitude journals with multiple
prompts to focus on being grateful and again finding the positives in
each day, there is even space in this one for creativity and doodles
if you just need a kind of child’s play outlet. The idea behind each
journal version I offer is to cater to different journaling styles,
whether you’re someone who loves structure or prefers to let your
thoughts flow freely. The intentional interior designs are then
coupled with fun, funny, sometimes a bit unhinged, and/or
inspirational cover designs to add to the personalized experience.
How do you create the artwork for it?
I digitally design all of the interiors and covers. Some are silly
phrases I’ve heard that I create into covers, some are words of
inspiration, some are aimed at mental health topics with playful
designs to make a difficult and serious topic just a little more
relatable and hopefully provide a smile or laugh.
How do you come up with the prompts for your social media?
The prompts I use come from personal experiences, reflections, and the
lessons I’ve learned along my journey. I often think about the kinds
of questions or topics that helped me the most when I started
journaling—things like gratitude, self-awareness, or exploring grief.
I also draw inspiration from the stories people share with me about
their own journaling experiences. A lot of the prompts I post will
directly correlate with whatever I am currently experiencing at that
time, or on the complete opposite hand they may be something that is
just simply for fun and sparking imagination. There are no rules when
it comes to journaling, it really is just a trial and error process or
figuring out what works best for you and that can even vary based on
the day and what is going on in your life.
Do you have a journaling routine?
I don’t follow a rigid routine, but I do try to journal when I am
feeling overwhelmed or consumed with difficult thoughts or emotions.
For me, it’s about tuning into what I need in the moment—sometimes
it’s a gratitude list, other times it’s pouring out my emotions or
setting intentions for the day. The beauty of journaling is that it’s
adaptable to how you’re feeling.
What advice do you have for those who are starting to get into
journaling, but struggling?
Start small and don’t overthink it. You don’t need to write pages and
pages; even a few sentences are enough. Try setting a timer for five
minutes and just jotting down whatever comes to mind. Give yourself
permission to write imperfectly—it’s for you, not anyone else. If
prompts help, start with something simple like, “What made me smile
today?” or “What’s one thing I’m grateful for?” Over time, it gets
easier, and you’ll find your flow.
You can follow Shawn on Instagram here.
thenutmegmillennial.com 