This Sunday marked the second session of my Writing for Wellbeing workshop series, and it felt deeply meaningful on many levels. As someone with a PhD in the therapeutic value of creative writing, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of putting pen to paper. Journaling regularly isn’t just a practice, it’s a life-changing tool for self-empowerment, healing, and growth.

Over time, I have changed many aspects of my life by using writing as a guide and mirror. What I have now is not perfect and still needs refinement, but writing is how I left what I needed to move beyond, a map for the changes I wanted and a way to make space for what comes next.

For me personally, writing was once the core of my daily life. Over time, my first love, art, pulled me away from this practice, and I miss the type of clarity and calm that is unique to the gift of giving yourself the time to write. Hosting these workshops is a way to reclaim that space for myself, intentionally making room for creativity and reflection, while also guiding others to discover their own paths to wellbeing through writing.

Honouring the Heart of Winter

Winter, often misunderstood as bleak or barren, holds a quiet magic, a time for endings, rest, and gentle preparation for new beginnings. Our workshop embraced this spirit, offering a safe and nurturing space for participants to explore their inner landscapes through guided writing exercises.

We began with grounding, a moment to connect with the present and soften into the stillness around us. Then, we moved through freewriting and visualisation prompts designed to awaken awareness of joy, benevolence, and love even amidst winter’s cold. Participants reflected on the emotions and insights winter has brought them so far, and then envisioned how they would like the remaining weeks to unfold, choosing kindness, joy, and growth as the narrative’s guiding stars.

A highlight was a powerful visualisation and fictional writing exercise, inviting each person to meet winter’s heart to co-author a way through the season and into spring. This metaphor became a source of comfort and inspiration, reminding us all of the resilience and renewal rooted deep within. To explore the what if. what if we could plot out the next six weeks into spring that we would prefer to experience.

Writing as a Gentle Act of Self-Kindness

What makes these workshops special is the invitation to honesty without pressure, everything written is private, and participants are free to keep, destroy, or hide their words afterward. This freedom fosters a tender, authentic connection to self that can be rare in our busy lives.

The circle of writers, sharing their presence and creativity, creates a ripple of healing. Together, we honour the endings, the seeds integral to spring, and the quiet beauty that winter offers.

If you feel called to reconnect with your creative heart this season, I warmly invite you to join future sessions. Writing can be a gentle guide through life’s transitions, a mirror reflecting your inner wisdom, and a balm for your soul.

Expressing Inner World - Writing For Wellbeing Workshop