My name is: Lauren Trend.

My stomping ground is: Melbourne, Australia.

I’m known for being: The founder of Self Practice, a global community exploring the intersect of well-being, art and design.

I'm talking about: Our guided journal, Workbook .01.

You can find it at: selfpractice.com.au.

Before I started this work, I was: I have an academic background in design and worked across fields of fashion, interiors, architecture and furniture design before founding Self Practice. 

My interest was sparked when: I’ve leaned on journaling as a mindfulness practice since I was a young girl. I remember writing in a journal at the end of most days as a child. I continued journaling through my teenage years, and the ability to put thoughts and feelings that oftentimes felt too big or overwhelming to verbalize was incredibly cathartic. As I got older and continued my education, my love for writing only grew. It became a huge part of my creative process as a designer and the ability to practice introspection as a tool for creativity undeniably led to the work that I do at Self Practice today. 

The idea behind it is: Self Practice, in summation, provides tools that aid self-inquiry through the lens of creative practice. Journal prompts are such a huge part of our offering because they're such an accessible yet powerful tool for people to know themselves better. 

What makes it different is: When we can take time to sit down with our thoughts and ideas, be it as a mindfulness or creative practice, we inevitably feel closer to ourselves, and in fostering that connection, we're able to meet our selves and our ever-evolving needs with compassion. 

My favorite lesser-known detail is: Someone told me just the other day that they'd be hard pressed to think of another book that's had such a transformative influence on the way that they view themselves. Workbook. 01 really is so much more than just a book. It's a tool that has the ability to shift the way that we view ourselves and the world around us.

I hope that people walk away feeling: Closer to themselves. 

Writing is key to processing because: Sometimes we don't know how we're feeling until we let the words come through and onto the page in front of us.

One moment when writing helped me was: Honestly, whenever I write I feel better for it. I have never walked away from a moment of introspection through the practice of journaling and thought it not helpful.

The words I live by are: Self-care is a conduit for community-care. 

One truth that is so important, but people don’t always realize is: We've accomplished so much more than we ever stop and give ourselves credit for.