If you live at the intersection of creativity and purpose, you're in the right place.

Hi, I’m Giyen.

Writing has always been a way for me to work through my sorrows, heartbreaks, joys, and dreams. Sharing these stories has brought purpose to this creative practice. While none of us have any universal answers, each one of us can speak to how we connect to the truth in our own lives. It helps us feel less alone with life's big and small questions when we know others are asking those questions too. I'm here alongside you, grateful for my life, yet wanting more out of it. It’s okay to strive for more, even in middle age, like me.

Every Sunday, I invite you to be part of my week by sharing personal essays about my journey toward a more purpose-driven and creative life. I write about entrepreneurship, building community, creating social impact, managing my mental health, and on occasion, stories from my extraordinary life. I'll also spotlight what I find beautiful, inspiring, or funny in the world each week.

Want to connect in real-time? Say hello on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads. I’m so glad we met.

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Writing and entrepreneurship can be solitary endeavors! By subscribing, you give me the confidence and motivation to keep going. Thank you for investing your time.

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About Giyen (pronounced Jee-yen)

Giyen is a Korean American storyteller and dreamer who believes the Internet can be an impetus for social good. In the late 2000s, she wrote humor essays on her blog, Bacon is My Enemy and starred in the Internet's first parenting web series, Momversation. She was also a syndicated writer for BlogHer and Disney Interactive. 

Giyen has been featured on CNN.com, Headline News, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Parenting and KoreAM magazines. As a brand ambassador, she's partnered with dozens of companies like the Food Network, Coca-Cola, Canon, and General Mills.

After a long pause, Giyen returned to writing in 2019 when she and a friend dabbled in screenwriting on a whim and won a prize for best sitcom pilot. Now she writes a weekly newsletter called Lovely Things on Substack.

Giyen lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she can be found hiking and playing outdoors. Say hello on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads.

Note: It should go without saying, but the opinions expressed on this site are my own.