Laura Maloney

Laura Maloney is the founder and blogger of The Self Set, a personal development hub to help you learn how to start a daily journal habit and learn how to utilize journaling intentionally as a tool for self-care and self-improvement.

Laura is also the founder of Lavender Life Blog, a personal development blog filled with tips, tools, strategies, and advice that aims to help improve emotional wellness and personal growth, and

On the blog, Laura writes about her own personal experiences with anxiety, low self-esteem, procrastination and other personal struggles in hope that others have the courage to make healthy changes in their life. Her mission is to promote authenticity online, allowing others to share their struggles along with their successes. She wants readers to understand that they are not alone and that it’s okay to not be okay. Laura shares why it’s important to share not only the good online, but also the bad times in our journey. Laura also shares about her experiences with anxiety, how it shows up in her life, what it is really like seeking for help and how having a toolbox of your own resources help.

The name “Lavender Life” was inspired by the quote “Be patient with yourself, nothing in nature blooms all year.” It came from a desire for more authenticity online, and Laura is proud of the community she’s built full of women who share their experiences openly and who want to improve their lives. As Laura continues to open up about her experience, she’s found a community of inspiring women who are also passionate about improving their lives and supporting others on their mental wellness journeys.

I’m so excited for you guys to connect with Laura, check out blog, and follow along as she continues to build a community full of women who share their experiences openly and who want to improve their lives.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I’m Laura, I’m a personal development blogger from Denver, Colorado. I share tactical strategies to help individuals transform their lives through self-care, self-love, and self-improvement. I’m currently working on publishing a few journals with prompts to help you get in the habit of journaling daily and ways to use journaling as a tool for clarity and transformation.

How did you get started?

After I graduated college, I experienced what could only be described as a “quarter-life crisis.” I felt completely lost, insecure, and had no idea what to do. Paired with the anxiety and self-esteem issues I had struggled with during college, I was afraid I was falling into a really bad place mentally and emotionally.

This uncomfortable chapter in my life inspired me to dive into the world of self improvement. Books, podcasts, counseling, and journaling. I learned how to re-frame my toxic thoughts and re-write my inner-narrative to gain the confidence I needed to get out of my funk and take charge of my life.

It was at this time that I started writing about my experience, trying to be as authentic and honest as I could about how difficult life can be for twenty somethings and ways each of us can improve our lives.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

When I started sharing my experience with anxiety and my insecurities on social media, I found an amazing community of people who have experienced similar issues in their lives. Many of them were experiencing their own “quarter-life crisis” and wanted to make positive changes in their lives but didn’t know where to start. Being able to share my story and what helped me inspired me to continue into this field.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

I think we all have certain beliefs we each hold deep inside us, religious and political views aside. For me, I believe in my core that everyone deserves to be happy. As humans, we each are on a mission to experience joy and love. My biggest passion is helping people find joy, despite their circumstances or struggles. Creating Lavender Life Blog and now The Self Set has cemented this passion. Knowing that I could help someone improve their life and find their sense of happiness excites me more than almost anything else.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

My joy blueprint is gratitude and service. Like I said, being able to help others has brought me so much joy in my life and business. Practicing gratitude daily also brings me joy. I spend my time focusing on the endless good that is in my life and I’m grateful for everyday I’m breathing.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

Journaling. Taking a little bit of time to journal every day has been one of the biggest tools that has helped me live more intentionally and mindfully. Journaling has helped me reframe my negative, anxious, and insecure thoughts and helped me navigate through uncertain times.

Personally, I journal twice a day. In the morning, I write things that I’m grateful for and my affirmations and then at night I reflect on my day and visualize how I want tomorrow to go.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

My younger self would be very proud of the woman I’ve become. My younger self would be happy to see how much confidence I’ve gained and how strong I’ve become.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

I am worthy, I am enough.

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to see my journals and tools make in impact in someone else’s life. To hear someone say “you helped me let go of my insecurities and live happier.”

To learn more about Laura and The Self Set visit her website https://theselfset.com and on Instagram @theselfset

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Laura Maloney - Personal Development Blogger & Founder, The Self Set