Many of us first started writing through angst, our words often locked away in hidden journal as we pour out our unrequited love or pain.

We know suffering is sometimes a little bit necessary to the whole process, although if we’re not careful we can really slide into the tortured artist vision – words are the only meaning in my life! My pen is mightier than the sword! The incurable disease of writing!

What if – hear us out – writing is also a path to resilience, closure and calm?

In this workshop we look at the crossover place between healing and creating using some therapeutic techniques. We will examine containment of our vulnerabilities and hurts and sharpening them into the creative release through the pen without just splurging messy, dysregulated, regrettable diary entries onto the page.

We will explore:

1. Controlling your filters: learning what stays in your diary or email folder of hate, and what makes it to the public facing page.

2. Using distance: a double edged method for both healing and pouring out the good stuff.

3. Telling a different story: using exceptions, unique outcomes and shy stories to write your way out of gloom.

Please note this is NOT a therapy session!