a gentle, creative way to come back to yourself
Katie V.
“This was a safe, nurturing space to release the stress of my day, shed the armor I carry into the world, and experiment with being incredibly tender with myself.”
people-pleasing is a habit
it takes you away from yourself
this pattern can change
Sometimes you can feel it happening in the moment.
You say yes before you’ve checked in with yourself.
You take something on because it feels easier than disappointing someone.
You keep going, even when you’re already tired.
And afterward, there can be a sigh of resignation and a familiar thought that no one else hears:
I left myself out. Again.
It's easy to blame yourself, but you didn't do anything wrong. People-pleasing is so familiar (and so rewarded), it often runs on its own.
You Matter, Too is a space where that pattern can begin to change.Â
In this free, live online workshop, you'll be invited to slow down and notice the people-pleasing habits that keep you stuck ~ and imagine including yourself in those moments.
Through creative self-compassion and a simple, accessible art journaling practice, you’ll be guided to see the pattern more clearly, and explore a different way forward ~ one that has room for you, too.
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In this grounded and accessible practice, you’ll discover how creative self-compassion can help you:
✔ Notice people-pleasing habits in a practical way ~ without overthinking or self-judgment
✔ Interrupt the habits that keep you stuck, so you feel a greater sense of choice and possibility
✔ Make space for your own needs, even if that feels unfamiliar
No art experience needed ~ just a willingness to show up for yourself.
Kelly R.
“It was such a gift to have dedicated time to draw, listen, and reflect. Lea encouraged us to be playful and experiment, which helped me soften my self-judgment. I still smile when I look at my drawing from the workshop.”
workshop details
date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
time: 10am-11:30am PT
location: Zoom
cost:Â free
Note: the workshop will be recorded, so if you can't be there live you can watch the replay.
hello
I'm glad you're here
I’m Lea Seigen Shinraku ~ a licensed therapist, self-compassion teacher, artist, and longtime Zen practitioner.
For over 15 years, I’ve been guiding people in learning how to be kinder to themselves ~ especially in the moments when it feels hardest.
Many of the students and clients I work with feel stuck in people-pleasing habits ~ saying yes when they mean no, overextending themselves, or feeling like they have to take care of everything and everyone.
I know how easy it is to lose yourself in those patterns, and how hard it can be to find a different way.
In my work, I bring together self-compassion, creativity, and practical, research-based tools to help you interrupt these habits ~ so you feel less stuck and more like yourself.
What You’ll Experience in You Matter, Too
This workshop is designed to be grounding, supportive, and engaging. Together, we will:
🌿 Notice people-pleasing habits in a creative, practical way ~ bringing self-compassion and awareness to patterns that often run on autopilot
✨ Feel a greater sense of choice and possibility as you imagine including more of yourself in everyday decisions
🎨 Explore guided art journaling as a simple, hands-on practice to interrupt stuck patterns with kindness and creativity
🌱 Gently begin to shift how you see yourself and your role in relationships ~ with more flexibility, ease, and understanding
You Matter, Too will give you a powerful yet gentle way to reset and reconnect with yourself.
come as you are
You don’t need to have this figured out.
You don’t need to be “good” at setting boundaries or saying no.
You don’t need any art experience.
You don’t need the right words.
Coming as you are, in the present moment, is the most important thing. ❤️
Janet V.
“Art journaling helps me stay present instead of getting carried away into the future. This is something I’ll actually use. Thank you for teaching simple ways to draw ~ now I feel like I can do it.”
FAQs
Do I need to be an artist or have experience with art journaling?
What materials do I need?
Will this workshop be recorded?
What if I’m not “creative” or I’m feeling stuck?
thanks for scrolling all the way down here!Â
I like to make thoughtful decisions, too.
I know these times aren’t easy. If you’re here, you’re probably doing a lot ~ feeling stretched thin, maybe even unsure whether there’s room for your own needs. People-pleasing habits can make it so hard to be kind to yourself.
When life feels intense, the inner critic tends to get louder. It tells us that rest is indulgent, that creativity is a luxury, that we should just keep pushing through. But often, this is exactly when we most need to remember matter, too.
It’s so important to have space where we can rediscover that there's more to life than work and to-do lists ~ where we can reconnect with ourselves and what brings us a sense of possibility.
I’d love to be your guide in exploring this. In You Matter, Too, we’ll take this first step together ~ a moment to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and imagine a new way forward.
I'd love to share this with you ❤️
Do you have questions about the workshop? Contact Lea at [email protected]
