What is Writing for Wellbeing? All writing has the potential to improve your wellbeing. Writing in a diary or journal at the end of an overwhelming day; a long, rambling letter to an old friend or loved one; even a hastily scribbled shopping or to-do list to de-clutter your mind and streamline your day- all of these forms of writing are getting your thoughts and feelings out of your mind and into some sort of order.
Allowing yourself to write freely can be an incredibly powerful and revealing way of getting to know yourself and making sense of the world around you. Reflective writing can also be used as an effective stress management tool, and for personal or professional development.
For more information on Writing for Wellbeing see my list of links to useful websites and articles that describe the various research studies conducted on the therapeutic aspects of writing.
I have also created a page of quotes about Writing for Wellbeing that may help to illustrate how it all works and the range of benefits it can bring, in the words of the experts... Why should I try Writing for Wellbeing? Reasons some people give for trying Writing for Wellbeing include:
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed;
Wanting to make sense of their thoughts and feelings;
Struggling to make a decision or to know what they really want;
Needing to work through difficult experiences and emotions;
Looking for a fun, creative way to express themselves.
Regular use of creative, expressive or reflective writing can improve:
Stress levels
Self confidence
Mood
Social skills
Sense of belonging
Problem-solving skills
Memory
Creativity
Self awareness
Besides the emotional and psychological benefits, there is also a lot of research that shows that writing regularly can:
Reduce levels of stress hormones;
Reduce healing times for physical wounds;
Lower blood pressure;
Improve immune system function.
Therefore, writing- any kind of writing- can be used to ‘treat’ a variety of ailments. It is also cheaper, less hassle and easier to ‘digest’ than any medicine or talking therapy!
For more information on Writing for Wellbeing see my list of links to useful websites and articles that describe the various research studies conducted on the therapeutic aspects of writing.
Who is Writing for Wellbeing for? Everyone! Men and women of all ages, including children and teenagers can benefit from using Writing for Wellbeing. You don’t have to be ‘a writer’ or even have any specific interest or knowledge in books or writing. Anyone can use writing as a tool to improve their wellbeing, and I will make sure that everyone feels welcome and free to write what and how they want during my sessions.
What do you mean by ‘Wellbeing’? The Oxford Dictionaries definition of wellbeing is ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy’, and that is exactly the state that writing can help you achieve. You will be amazed at how much better you can feel after just getting something out of your system, or producing something creative that you can be proud of. And that is before you even start to consider the many exciting things you can discover about yourself along the way!
How does Writing for Wellbeing work? Despite the amount of studies done on the benefits of using writing for therapeutic and healing purposes, no-one can really give a definitive answer. However, it is known that the process of writing alters the way the brain stores, sorts and retrieves information, and can help access areas not usually used in everyday thinking.
Are there any ‘Side Effects’? Not really. The only thing to be aware of is that, sometimes, your writing or the writing of others may trigger memories that are painful or sad. You may find that, by writing whatever comes to mind, you suddenly become aware of something from deep within you that is difficult to acknowledge.
The important thing to remember is: If you feel that something you are writing, or are thinking about writing, is bringing up difficult, uncomfortable or traumatic feelings, emotions or memories for you, take a moment and decide whether you feel ‘safe’ enough to continue exploring those thoughts.
It may be that you decide to choose a different topic or theme and to return to the difficult stuff later when you are feeling calmer or more able to face what might arise- maybe when you are with a family member or loved one, or even a counsellor or other therapist.
Similarly, if someone else’s writing brings up difficult emotions or memories for you, it is perfectly OK to acknowledge those feelings (in a way that is respectful to the person whose writing has triggered them). Feel free to excuse yourself for a moment, cry or simply share what you are experiencing with the group and gain their support. You can also explore your reactions in your own writing, either within the group or at a later date.
What happens during a Writing for Wellbeing session? Sessions usually start with a (non-threatening) icebreaker and introductions, followed by the creation of a ‘group agreement’ or ‘ground rules’. There will be a combination of structured and ‘free’ writing exercises, sometimes using prompts, usually around a theme. We will use various different writing forms such as poetry, diaries and journals, lists, letters and free-writing to express and explore our thoughts and feelings on the page. You will be amazed by what you discover about yourself from allowing your words to flow freely and by sharing with others.
Do I have to share what I write? Only if you want to! There is no obligation to share your work unless you want to. You can even create a pseudonym for the purposes of your writing if you prefer! I will ensure that we create a safe, supportive and comfortable environment for all participants to make the most of the time and space to write what they need to write, and to share what they need to share.
Will I have to talk about myself? Again, only if you want to! There is also no obligation to share anything about yourself or your life unless you want to.
Will everything I say and write in the group be confidential? Yes. At the beginning of every session, workshop, or course we will establish a group agreement or set of ground rules that make sure that everyone feels ‘safe’ to write whatever they feel the need to write, and to share whatever they need to share. Usually we agree on total confidentiality, where nothing about the session goes beyond those four walls. Occasionally, people prefer to agree on ‘anonymity’, where they may talk about the session to others (for example to tell their partner about their experience) as long as no names or identifying details of other group members are mentioned.
Do you keep copies of the writing done in groups? No. This is not an English lesson and no-one will be marking, judging or criticising your writing. Of course, if you want me to read your writing, I would be honoured! But I will never keep your work or share it with anyone else without your permission.
I’m not very good at writing. Is it still something I can do? Absolutely! There is no right or wrong way to write, no need to worry about punctuation, spelling or grammar, or any other 'rules' of writing. The main difference between 'being a writer' and using writing as a tool to improve your wellbeing, is the emphasis on the 'process' of writing, rather than the 'product'. It’s less about 'writing well' and more about 'writing yourself well'. Again, this is not an English lesson, and not about 'learning to write'. It is about 'writing to learn'; writing to learn about yourself.
Can’t I just do this at home by myself? Of course you can! Writing is free, besides the cost of a pen or pencil and some paper or lovely notebook, and you don’t need anyone to tell you what to write. Just sit yourself down and write whatever comes to mind!
However, many people find that the real ‘magic’ of Writing for Wellbeing comes from the power of being part of a group, or working with a facilitator, as it is often the process of sharing what they have written, and reflecting on the writing of others that really makes the difference.
It can also be incredibly interesting to see where your mind takes you when presented with a seemingly simple writing prompt such as ‘what was your favourite childhood toy?’ or writing in response to a well-known poem.
Is it better to have a one-to-one session or attend a group workshop? This is completely up to you. As mentioned above, the power of being part of a group can be incredibly beneficial and you will find the support, acceptance and encouragement you receive from your fellow group members far outweighs any initial anxiety about getting to know a bunch of strangers!
However, some people prefer a more individual experience, where they can work closely with the facilitator to develop a programme of exercises and prompts that is specifically tailored to their current needs.
Why choose The Pocket Poet? In terms of all the official stuff, I am an 'award-winning' poet with a degree in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. I am also a member of Lapidus, the International Association for Words for Wellbeing, and am fully insured via my professional membership of NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education).
I am friendly, funny, approachable and open-minded, with a passion for helping others discover the magic of using writing as a tool for improving their wellbeing. You can read more about me here, and will find some of my poems here.