9/15/20: "Literary Therapy: Writing (for) Your Life" is a dynamic, interactive, non-clinical six-week therapeutic writing program that harnesses the cathartic power of honest reflective writing, group readings and discussion, and collective vulnerability to explore mental and emotional wellness (joy, stress, loss, trauma, self-love, affirmation, fear, shame, etc.), curate self-care strategies, and thrive amidst uncertainty, conflict, oppression, violence, etc.
By busting our emotions open ‘pon the page, we will awaken our imaginations and armor ourselves for the War on Spiritual Ashiness.
The sessions underscore writing's effectiveness as a vehicle for healing, catharsis, distraction, and entertainment; and provides tools for stress management, prioritizing joy, self-care, and community wellness. Throughout the six-week program, participants will hear and share insights, practice mindfulness and gratitude, and learn literary grounding techniques to take an inventory of and gain clarity on their wellness journeys.
Also, no pressure: if you choose to keep all your insights to yourself, that’s fine, too. It’s your world.
Audience.
This experience is suitable for anyone who a) knows, loves, feeds, raises (or was raised by), or works, lives, learns, joined the Rhythm Nation with, or otherwise engages with humans, and b) is open to using introspective writing as a tool to make sense of life (in this raggedy moment in history and beyond) and find clarity, freedom, and healing.
This workshop is also suitable for mental health professionals, scholars, parents & other village members, educators, and administrators seeking new methods of clarifying and exploring personal narratives and connecting with themselves, clients, patients, and scholars.
Objectives.
Explore mental and emotional wellness through introspective writing activities.
Offer writing-based strategies for literary therapy; radical honesty; self-love & self-affirmation; forgiveness; processing uncertainty, anger, shame, anxiety, grief, trauma, etc.
Provide a safe space to bust our emotions open and armor ourselves for the War on Spiritual Ashiness.
Encourage vulnerability, creative expression, and team connectedness.
Outcomes.
With Literary Therapy writing sessions, we will:
Normalize discussions around self-care, stress, joy, and wellness.
Enhance individual and collective authenticity, accountability, vulnerability, and clarity.
Foster mindfulness, creativity, self-affirmation, self-love, decisiveness, and a greater sense of power and freedom.
Remember to choose joy more often.
Course Outline.
Sept 15 Establishing a sense of safety
We explore literary grounding techniques for daily rituals and acute stress relief, envisioning safety, creating a sanctuary, establishing healthy routines, etc.
Sept 22 Resilience & self-love
Stuffing your healing toolkit, recognizing strengths and assets, acknowledging what’s going well, pouring into yourself, and self-affirmation. More writing-based grounding techniques.
Sept 29 Giving yourself grace & forgiveness
What are you doing well? Engaging with & quieting the Inner Hater. Being kind(er) to yourself and deciphering negative self-talk. Working through shame.
Oct 6 It Takes a Village (boundaries & community healing)
Is your tribe healthy? What do you need to be your best self? How can we set healthy boundaries while inviting connection? Is your community contributing to or detracting from your wellness?
Oct 13 Facing & reframing the past
What lessons have we learned from trauma and transition? How have our raggedy moments made us better or stronger?
Oct 20 Looking to the future
Envisioning a joyful future. Declaring dreams and engaging support. Embracing abundance.
Logistical considerations.
During this session, we will explore potentially sensitive topics. We will work through various writing and reading exercises, and participants will be sharing personal insights, perspectives, and experiences. To maintain the confidential safe nature of the environment, use headphones if possible. Due to the nature of the material explored in this session, please make sure you're in a space where you can speak as freely as possible. Participants will have time for reflection and writing, so feel free to use a notebook or a blank Google or Word doc to keep your thoughts and words in one place. Whichever works best for you.