FAQ
What is Helianth & Co.?
Helianth & Co. is a brand built around creativity, self-discovery/reflection, and all the things that interest me. It all started with a "come to Jesus" moment at the top o the stairs at my parents' house, turned into Identity Quest and various workbooks (coming VERY soon), and then evolved into something even more meaningful. This brand is a space where I can bring my different ideas to life, including books, digital products, creative projects, and whatever else feels right.
Over time, Helianth & Co. will include a mix of things, but at the heart of it all is the same goal; exploration, expression, and making things that resonate.
What does “Helianth” mean?
Helianth comes from Helianthus, the scientific name for sunflowers, which is one of my favorite flowers. Sunflowers don’t just follow the sun, they reach great heights while staying deeply rooted. That felt like the perfect energy for this brand; growing, evolving, staying grounded and following my creativity wherever it takes me. Also, let’s be real… Helianth sounds mad cool.
What kind of products do you offer?
Right now, Helianth & Co. is just getting started, but I’ve got plans. Big ones.
In the future, you’ll see a mix of things: books (self-discovery and fiction), digital products, exclusive website only videos, along with youtube content, prints, how to's (for books and business), maybe even merch. There might be a class, a subscription, or something I haven’t even thought of yet. If it sparks creativity, encourages growth, or just feels right, it might find a home here.
Basically, Helianth & Co. is ever-evolving, just like the people it’s made for.
What inspired you to start Helianth & Co.?
Helianth & Co. started because I knew I needed to create my own path. I was tired of being boxed into a 9-5 job and only having time for creativity and personal time in the evenings and on weekends. I know that’s a path some people take and feel amazing about, but it didn’t feel fulfilling for me. (Ask my parents, they’ll tell you, I complain about the corporate world and working ALL the time! 😂)
I’ve always known I was meant to do something different and meaningful. I knew it was going to involve helping others in some way, but I just didn’t know how. Now I know I want to create things I didn’t have, but needed, things that can help others on their own journey, and also create a space for others to feel comfortable doing the same. Helianth & Co. is the space where I can make that happen.
Where can I follow you and/or Helianth & Co. online?
I have a Tiktok and a youtube channel! I may eventually add more to this but for now those are my socials!
For all Helianth & Co. brand things, sign up for the email list to get primary updates!
@gabs.helianth on Tiktok and youtube!
Can I suggest ideas or give feedback on your products?
Hell yeah, please! I love hearing from people and getting feedback. It helps me make better products and connect with you in a real way. If you’ve got ideas, suggestions, or just want to share your thoughts on what I’m doing, I’m all ears.
You’ll be able to drop your suggestions right in the suggestions section, and I’ll make sure to check them out. Your feedback is super important, and who knows? Your idea might just be the next big thing for Helianth & Co.!
Why did you write Identity Quest?
There's actually a whoooole story behind writing Identity Quest, so I will give you the short of it.
I had gone out with my parents to an event the night before and I felt like I had nothing to talk about. Could I have said things? Probably, but in that moment, I couldn't think of anything and honestly felt horrible. I woke up the next day still feeling frustrated with myself and like I had no clue who I was and what I wanted from life. I tried to just not acknowledge it (like I usually would when complex and negative emotions showed up), and I just could not shake the feelings. I was so in my head and I felt like I could not function because I was thinking about this.
Eventually, I had a whole moment with myself at the top of the stairs at my parents' house. It was a conversation about change and making decisions to actually be better instead of just talking about doing better. Also, just figuring out what "better" even means to me. As I started finding questions and thinking about how I would begin understanding myself, I realized that it would be great if these questions were in a book. Identity Quest, then a different (worst) name, was born.
About halfway through, I realized that a workbook would be helpful to really dive deep into the material. As I kept thinking about different ways people learn and how they can interact with this kind of content, it turned into the other books you see today.
What is Identity Quest about?
Identity Quest and workbooks are about figuring you out. There are so many different facets of you. Do you think about why you are the way you are? Do you think about why you make the decisions you make? I wanted to start becoming my own best friend and that started with reintroducing me to myself. Now I want to share that journey with you.
Self-discovery isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. It takes everyone different amounts of time to even get to thinking about who they are and what they want. Some people never do. Self-discovery is a ever evolving thing and I think self-discovery is a life long journey. You are different than you were 5 minutes ago and you're different than who you were 5 years ago. The more you learn and intake information and make decisions, the more you shift and change so you're always discovering things about yourself.
So many workbooks???
Yes yes. Honestly, I didn't mean to make so many workbooks. When I started, I thought it would just be the main book and maybe, MAYBE 1 more book... 6 books later lmao. I wanted to have different ways to interact with the information. Some people really enjoy journaling (some want more guidance and others want less). Some people just want to think about topics and not journal at all. Some people would rather have practical and/or fun activities to think through topics. Some people just want a little check in log and that's it. Some people just want a blank space to think through some things. I tried to give all of those people something.
What’s the best order to read the books in?
I recommend going through Identity Quest with a workbook or journal (Work, Framework, or Expanse). I believe that pairing them together will help you get the most out of the experience.
Here is how I recommend approaching this journey:
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Read Identity Quest with a workbook or journal (Work, Framework, or Expanse)
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Go through Experiment: Me and Self Inventory whenever you want. You can start before, during or after going through the main Identity Quest bundle.
Who is this book for?
This book is for anyone who wants to get to know themselves better. If you’ve ever felt like you’re still figuring yourself out, questioning parts of who you are, or just looking for a deeper connection with yourself, Identity Quest is for you.
Is this book for self-help or personal reflection?
It is a little bit of both, but mostly personal reflection. Identity Quest is not here to tell you how to “fix” yourself or give you a step-by-step plan for life. Instead, it is about guiding you through your own thoughts, patterns, and experiences so you can understand yourself better.
Where can I buy the books?
You can buy Identity Quest and all of its companion books on right here on my website or through the Lulu bookstore (the print on demand website). They will not be available on Amazon or major bookstores at this time.
Both physical and digital versions are available, so you can choose the format that works best for you. If anything changes in the future, I will update this page with more details. But for now, the best place to grab your copy is right here!
What is included in the different book bundles?
Each bundle is designed to give you a personalized experience based on how you want to explore The Identity Quest. Whether you want to go deeper with guided reflection, take a hands-on approach, or have the full journey, there is an option for you.
Here is a breakdown of what each bundle includes:
Beginning Exploration: Identity Quest + Framework OR Identity Quest + Work OR Identity Quest + Self Inventory(digital only) OR Identity Quest + Experiment: Me OR Identity Quest + Expanse(print only) OR Self Inventory + Experiment: Me
Evolving: Identity Quest + Work + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest + Work + Experiment: Me OR Identity Quest + Work + Self Inventory(digital only) OR Identity Quest + Framework + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest + Framework + Experiment: Me OR Identity Quest + Framework + Self Inventory(digital only)
Details: Identity Quest + Framework + Self Inventory(digital only) + Experiment: Me OR Identity Quest + Work + Self Inventory(digital only) + Experiment: Me OR Identity Quest + Framework + Self Inventory(digital only) + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest + Work + Self Inventory(digital only) + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest + Framework + Experiment: Me + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest + Work + Experiment: Me + Expanse(print only)
The whole package: Identity Quest +Framework + Self Inventory(digital only) + Experiment: Me + Expanse(print only) OR Identity Quest +Work + Self Inventory + Experiment: Me + Expanse
Can I use Identity Quest if I’ve already done a lot of self-reflection work? Can I use this book with a therapist, coach, or in a group?
Absolutely! Just because you’ve done self-reflection before doesn’t mean you’ve asked yourself these questions, in this way, at this point in your life. Identity isn’t something you figure out once and then never revisit. It shifts, deepens, and sometimes completely flips on you when you least expect it.
Think of Identity Quest as a conversation with yourself, not a homework assignment. Maybe some things will feel familiar, but even then, revisiting them with fresh eyes can lead to new insights. And if you’re the type who’s already journaled a million pages about your life, this book will challenge you to look at things from angles you might not have considered before.
If you’re working with a therapist, coach, or doing this in a group, great! This book doesn’t replace those experiences, it adds to them. It gives you structured prompts, deep questions, and space to process in ways that can make your sessions even more impactful.
Do I need all the books to get the full experience?
Nope! Identity Quest is the main text, and everything else is there to help you engage with it in different ways. You don’t need every book to get something out of this, but the way you experience it will depend on which ones you choose.
If you want a few questions to help you start thinking, Framework is a good starting point. If you want to go deep and really work through things, Work gives you lots of structured questions. Expanse is for open-ended reflection with no guidance at all, just space to explore your thoughts freely. Experiment: Me is hands-on, filled with activities to engage with your identity in different ways. Self Inventory helps you check in on who you are right now.
Framework and Work follow Identity Quest directly. Expanse is completely open-ended. Experiment: Me and Self Inventory are their own thing and don’t follow the main book.
It’s a choose-your-own-adventure. Pick what fits your style and skip what doesn’t.
Do I need Identity Quest to use the other books?
If you’re getting Work or Framework, you’ll need Identity Quest. For the others, it’s up to you.
Is this book for a specific age group?
Not really. If you’re old enough to think deeply about who you are and what you want out of life, you can use Identity Quest. There’s no age limit on self-discovery.
That said, I’m older Gen Z, so my tone is very that. I try to keep the references and slang to a minimum, but this book is written like a conversation, so it sounds like me. If you’re cool with a casual, real-talk approach to deep reflection, you’ll get something out of it no matter how old you are.
How long does it take to complete?
There’s no set timeline. Identity Quest isn’t a daily workbook or a step-by-step program, it’s a process, and that looks different for everyone. Some people might take their time and sit with certain questions for weeks, while others might move through it faster. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just whatever pace feels right for you.
