We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandilyn Hallcroft a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brandilyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The story behind my mission comes from my own experiences and the journey I’ve been on to heal and grow. My mission is to help others find peace and clarity in their lives through journaling because I know firsthand how powerful it can be. I’ve lived through trauma, loss, and those overwhelming moments when you feel stuck and don’t know how to move forward.

Back in 2020, my life hit a turning point. Like so many people, the pandemic changed everything, but it wasn’t just that for me. I lost my grandmother, the person who taught me unconditional love and patience. Her passing left a huge hole in my life, and it made me realize how much I needed to learn to truly love and accept myself. That was the moment I decided to dive deep into my own healing.

I started with what I could afford—watching psychology videos, reading books, and journaling. Slowly but surely, I began to piece myself back together. Journaling, especially, became my lifeline. It helped me untangle my thoughts, understand my triggers, and figure out what I needed to feel whole again.

Then in 2022, my father passed away from suicide, and it completely shook me. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced, but it also reinforced how important healing work is. I had already started creating my journals, but his death made me realize just how much people need tools to help them process their pain and find peace.

So, when I say my mission is personal, I mean it. These the journals I created are a reflection of my journey—of everything I’ve learned and experienced. I want to share them because I know what it’s like to feel broken and not know where to start. My hope is that these journals give people a starting point, a guide, and maybe even a little hope.

Brandilyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Brandilyn Hallcroft, the creator of Journals to Healing. I’m a graphic designer and marketer by trade, but I’ve always wanted to work with a deeper purpose. That inspired me to create Journals to Healing, a collection of guided journals designed to help people reflect, heal, and grow.

The idea for these journals came from my passion for personal growth and psychology. I’ve always believed in the power of self-reflection, but I know how overwhelming it can be to figure out where to start. That’s why I created these guided journals, which use principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people work through their emotions in a supportive and manageable way.

These journals are especially personal because I created every part of them myself. Every element is intentional, from writing the text and crafting the guided prompts to designing the layouts and graphics. I wanted the journals to feel not only effective but also visually appealing, approachable, and calming to use. They’re designed to be a full experience, combining thoughtful content with a creative, welcoming design.

The journals cover topics like anxiety, grief, forgiveness, and self-esteem, offering prompts and tools to help people process their emotions, shift negative thought patterns, and gain clarity. There’s also space for freestyle journaling because I believe in giving people the freedom to write in their way. These are more than blank notebooks—they’re tools rooted in proven methods that guide people toward personal growth.

I’m most proud of the feedback I’ve received from people who’ve used the journals. Hearing that my work has helped someone gain insight or feel less alone is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that even something as simple as a journal can make a big difference in someone’s life.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Journals to Healing, it’s that these journals were created with intention, care, and a lot of heart. They’re personal to me because I’ve been through my own journey of healing and self-discovery, and I wanted to create something that could help others in the same way. Whether you’re dealing with a tough time, working on personal growth, or just looking for a way to understand yourself better, these journals are here to support you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve had to embody resilience in ways I never thought possible, and one experience from my late teens and early twenties stands out as a defining moment. From the ages of 18 to 21, I endured a terrifying chapter in my life that tested every ounce of strength I had.

In high school, I had a best friend I thought would always be in my life. We were inseparable, sharing everything from dance classes to partying with other teens from school. She was smart, funny, and full of charm. But as time passed, I started noticing a darker side to her. Her behavior became chaotic, and eventually, I knew I needed to distance myself. That choice turned my life upside down.

What followed was three years of relentless stalking, harassment, and violence. My car was vandalized, I was chased through town, and people I didn’t even know would show up at my home, threatening me. One particularly horrifying night, I was ambushed in a parking lot by people connected to her. Two of my friends, who were there to protect me, were injured trying to keep me safe.

I went to the authorities countless times, but no one took my situation seriously. They brushed it off as “teen drama,” leaving me to navigate this nightmare alone. Living in constant fear was exhausting. Whenever I thought things might calm down, another incident would happen, keeping me on edge and unsure of what might come next.

Years later, the true depth of her darkness was revealed when she was involved in a murder. The case gained national attention and was featured on programs like Dateline. Hearing about it was shocking but not surprising. I had always felt that her actions were escalating toward something dangerous. In some ways, it was relieving that it was a national story because people finally believed me. Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy at all about the person getting killed, but I finally felt heard. Unfortunately, though, I had survivor’s guilt. To the point where I wrote the parents of the person who was killed, telling them about how much I tried to stop her as if what she did was my fault. I understand now it wasn’t, but I was torn up about it when I was younger.

When she was released from prison, I thought that part of my life was over, but she contacted me on social media. By then, I had done a lot of work on myself, rebuilding my sense of safety and confidence, and I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t accept the friend request, but I did write her and asked her the one question that had haunted me for years: “Why did you want to kill me when we were supposed to be best friends?” Her response was cold and dismissive: “Well, shit happens, but I still care. Have a good night.” – The response of a psychopath.

That moment solidified how far I had come. I had survived her relentless attempts to break me. Resilience, for me, is about more than just surviving. It’s about choosing to heal, to move forward, and to reclaim your life even when it feels impossible.

Looking back, I’m grateful I found the strength to keep going. Those three years were some of the hardest of my life, but they also taught me how to trust my instincts, protect my peace, and set firm boundaries. Resilience is about rising above; I’m proud to say I did just that.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

A few resources and people have had a profound impact on how I think and approach my work:

Tosha Silver’s “Outrageous Openness”: This book helped me shift my perspective on life and business, encouraging me to embrace trust and surrender. It taught me to let go of control and allow opportunities to flow in organically, which has been transformative in my personal and professional life.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: A Tibetan monk, his YouTube channel and books have been incredibly inspiring. His teachings on mindfulness and finding joy even amid challenges have deeply influenced the way I approach my work and my mindset.

Christina Lopes, DPT, MPH: Her YouTube channel is another resource I regularly use. She shares insights on personal growth and emotional healing, which resonate with my work and how I aim to connect with others through my journals.

My grandparents: Both sides of my family have an entrepreneurial spirit, and they’ve been a huge inspiration to me. Watching them build businesses and navigate challenges taught me the value of hard work, creativity, and perseverance. Their stories remind me that resilience and innovation run in my blood.
My mom has also been a powerful influence; she taught me strength and self-sufficiency and always supported my uniqueness.

These resources have shaped my entrepreneurial philosophy and the heart behind my work. They’ve encouraged me to stay grounded, trust my instincts, and approach challenges with curiosity and patience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.journalstohealing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journalstohealing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557160593488
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandilyn/
• Other: I have two other websites
  https://www.metro-designs.com/
  https://www.metro-event.com/

  Etsy Shop
  https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetroEvents

Image Credits

For the photo of me Chezaray Photography, https://www.chezarayphotography.com/
The images of the journals were from me so there isn’t an additional credit for that.