My name is Laura Schmidt and I established Lovendu in 2020. I started journaling to improve my own mental wellbeing. As an individual, who from an early age, has always struggled with mental health issues, I want to raise awareness of mental wellbeing and the impact it has on our lives. I am passionate about what I am doing. I have a BSc Psychology degree and also a MSc in Forensic Mental Health. I also was the President of Warwick Mind Aware, a society aimed to increase awareness around mental health issues (award-winning society might I add), I have also volunteered at a Charity for adults who have been sexually abused during childhood and even worked in the IAPT services as a practitioner. However as a sufferer of mental health problems, the various treatments I have tried were not effective.  

When COVID hit last year, I found that my mental health was rapidly deteriorating, This led me to begin journaling in the hope that it would improve my own mental wellbeing. I soon found that I had more self-awareness, I was sleeping better and being more productive. I began to realise the benefits of journaling and wanted to share this with others. This is how my own dream of starting a business began. I started Lovendu with just £10.

I am a true believer that journaling and planning can help you improve your life. I have realised that the true work comes from within. Although my mental health creates everyday challenges for me and I am unable to do some things others may take for granted, I found the determination and strength to create and run my own business. Something that wouldn’t have happened without journaling. I want to give you the same gift, to get what you want from life and not let anything hold you back.