Meet Jennie Denney | Mindful Living, Writer, Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennie Denney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennie, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
We all live by story. These stories shape our worldviews and they undergird our relationships. They also give us the framework for how we see ourselves. Even though we all live by these stories, most of us do not take the time to think about what those stories are or how they came to be unless a crisis occurs. This is where I come in. By incorporating empathetic listening and mindfulness practices in a safe environment, I help people sift through their stories so they can better understand themselves, their relationships, and the world they live.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a writer, poet, and coach, in the process of going back to school in order to get my doctorate in marriage and family therapy. Getting to where I am today has not been easy at all. There have been a whole lot of failures, hurts, pains, and periods of not knowing who I am or what I wanted. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in this process is to find your people and not let them go, for they will be your greatest cheerleaders and help pick you up off the ground when you do fall. I have also learned that my story is complicated. It’s hard. It’s messy. And I know I’m not the only one. We all have a story full of pain, disappointments, and yes, beauty. We also have a choice as to what we do with our stories. We can give them the power to stunt us, or we can allow them to awaken us to the truth of who we are at the very core: beautiful, complicated creatures worthy of love, attention, and empathy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First thing I would say is let’s go to the beach! I personally like Doheny Beach in Dana Point, where the more local than touristy and more down to earth than fancy is my style. Some of the must eat places are What a Dish Cafe in Dana Point for brunch, Bear Coast Coffee for coffee, light breakfast, and/or snack, The Hive XO for amazing gluten and dairy free ice cream sandwiches, Station Craft for good eats, cocktails, and beer, Calo Kitchen and Tequila for good Mexican food and margaritas, Tastes of Greece for good Greek food (locations a little wonky, but don’t let that fool you!), and Himalayan Taste for good Indian food. Yes, I would be sure to drive into LA and see things like the Huntington Library, The Getty Museum, and one of the coolest bookstores ever “The Last Bookstore.” I would take the trolly down to the San Clemente outlet mall and/or downtown to San Clemente and check out the fun boutiques there. I would also check out Laguna Beach. Yes, it’s touristy in the summer, but fall, winter, and spring are great times to walk the streets and check out the local art exhibits. I would also definitely check out the Redwood grove in Brea (it’s super cool!) and lastly, I would not leave out one of my favorite things to do, and that is to grab a beach chair and picnic dinner and watch the sunset on the grass at Salt Creek Beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would have to say quite a few people and books! My husband and four kids, who have encouraged and supported me. My parents and siblings, who have cheered me on. My friends at HopeWriter’s who have read what I write, contributed to, and encouraged me. Curt Thompson’s book “The Soul of Shame” that sparked my journey into learning how to tell my story in order to re-wire my brain and understand myself. Dr. Edith Eger’s book “The Choice,” which gave me the confidence to go back to school to become a therapist. The book “Mindfulness and Psychotherapy,” that made me realize the practices I’ve been doing for the last ten years are all variations of mindfulness practices.

Website: https://www.jenniedenney.com/services

Instagram: @jennie.denney

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