The foundational title for all my workshops is “Journaling for Health” because I consider journal writing equally important as nutrition, exercise, meditation, yoga, massage, etc. for our health. When I don’t write daily it feels like a body part is missing.
As a Certified Journal to the Self Instructor, I am pleased to offer a variety of options to engage with others to journal write. All of these are suitable for people who have never written in a journal and those having done so for years. Please see the “Praise” tab for testimonials of my facilitation. Options to write together:
a) A guest at your retreat on Mayne Island – Based on your retreat focus, together we can create a two – three hour journal writing session. This could be ideas like women coming to the island for a getaway and want to write for one afternoon. Or, a focused health retreat where an afternoon of writing fits with other activities. The sky is the limit of possibilities.
b) Journaling for health workshops – Small group gatherings (maximum eight people) for two – three hours one day a week for five to six weeks offered at various times during the year.
c) Private journal writing – For those wanting to write 1:1 with me. This can be a one time get together or a time frame agreed upon.
d) A Journaling for Health group meeting the last Friday of the month for two hours (except July and August). This group is currently full. Please let me know if you would like to be on a wait-list.
I am exploring offering Journaling for Health on-line. I welcome knowing if this is of interest.
Right now planning is underway for the next five week workshop, as well as a women’s retreat in August.
A journal writing group process which works well is sitting in a circle with a lit candle, engage in a brief check-in, followed by a short meditation, then writing to prompts for various lengths of time. I welcome sharing of either what someone wrote or anything she/he would like to offer took place during the write. Sharing is always optional and not doing so respected. We have a tea break somewhere during our time and end with going around the circle for closing comments. At the beginning of every group we agree on guidelines for our time together covering such topics as confidentiality, how to give feedback, etc.
Personal History with Journal Writing
Throughout all those years of my husband’s dementia, I would not have survived without writing. I wrote on pieces of paper, in lovely bound lined journals, and on the computer. Before my husband left the island, I secretly rented a writing cabin to have respite from his behaviours. I wrote on the ferry, in the car, in parking lots, and at my husband’s death bed. My journal was a constant companion, even a tiny one always in my purse.
Writing was a life-line to explore, track my husband’s behaviors, reflect, scream, and basically cope. What needed to make its way to the page did. I trusted the process often simply sitting for a few minutes, deep breathing, until my soul guided me about a topic. I was intrigued with the insights gained, energy released, and questions emerging. Due to the profound way writing supported me during my husband’s illness and grief, I want to share with others the power of journal writing.
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