About the project

Hey, I’m Yan Holder – Founder of The Freedom Journal and The Question Books.

At the core of everything I do is a belief in the transformative power of intentional design, self-reflection, and meaningful connections.

My journey began with The Freedom Journal — a gratitude journal designed to help you step out of your comfort zone, reframe your mindset, and focus on the positive aspects of life. By tracking your progress every 30 days, you can see your growth, rewire your thinking, and experience more fulfillment. It’s more than just a journal — it’s a tool for creating lasting change in how you see and navigate your world.

From there, I created The Question Books, a series crafted to deepen relationships, foster better communication, and promote self-discovery. Whether you're looking to strengthen a romantic relationship, build stronger friendships, or get to know yourself on a deeper level, these books provide the questions that spark meaningful conversations and create lasting bonds.

What sets my brand apart is that every part of the process — from concept and design to content creation and distribution — is something I do completely on my own. I wanted to create something that reflected my passion for design and personal growth while keeping full creative control. Each product is thoughtfully designed and crafted to be a source of inspiration, personal growth, and connection.

The idea behind my work is to help people evolve in the areas of relationships, mindset, and lifestyle, drawing inspiration from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I want to create tools that empower you to live a more balanced and fulfilled life, one question, prompt, or journal entry at a time.

It wasn’t a smooth path to get here. Raised in an ex-communist country, I grew up without material wealth but was given a rich understanding of life through my mother, who is a psychologist. From an early age, I’ve been driven by a desire to carve my own path and create something meaningful.

Through years of trial and error — from e-commerce to social media management, draining 9-to-5 jobs, and beyond — I learned that what truly matters is helping others unlock their potential. Every failure taught me something new, from honing my design skills to building online stores, and most importantly, finding my purpose: to lift others up by creating products that inspire growth and positive change.

So here I am, bringing it all together in these products that I’m excited to share with the world. Whether you’re seeking deeper relationships, a mindset shift, or tools to help you live more fully, I hope my creations help you on that journey.

Thank you for being here.

Stay creative,

Yan