As I develop the idea for an academic paper on Writing for Wellbeing, I am going to share a little about what brought me to want to write this paper.
I was at a meeting with the Lapidus Living Research Community when the question was posed as to why writing therapy doesn’t get as much attention as, for instance, art, dance, or movement therapy?
After the meeting I pondered on this and wanted to find out more – what the participants in my Writing for Wellbeing groups think and feel; why they came to my groups in the first place; and whether they see the groups as a form of therapy.
Personally, I feel that if the word ‘therapy’ is associated with Writing for Wellbeing, then it can be daunting and off-putting for some potential participants. The word can be seen as having a problem, a trouble to be solved and deleted from one’s life. As for having a problem I endeavour to view any problems as the body, or mind, trying to inform us of something that needs addressing. However, as this is not the purpose of this blog post, I won’t delve into it further at present.
I suggest that many people are simply wanting to engage in something which will enhance their lives by exploring their thoughts and feelings. They may feel that therapy would mean needing a trauma to heal or work with. Writing for Wellbeing certainly does help with traumatic issues, such as loss, grief, divorce, illness and other life experiences. However, it can also help us to get to know and honour ourselves in our lives, for example, assisting us to make changes and transitions where they are needed.
People have kept journals and diaries for years and written memoirs. Indeed, memoir writing is very strong at present; bookshops are full of memoirs and living autobiographies. I have written unpublished pieces and find it very cathartic.
Writing for Wellbeing appears to be entering the media, for instance by radio and podcasts. The well-known late Dr. Michael Mosley presented a programme in his ‘Just One Thing’ series on BBC Radio 4, entitled ‘Write it Out’, which discussed how writing can boost the immune system, improve our mood and the brain.
From a personal point of view and a Writing for Wellbeing facilitator, I advocate this activity wholeheartedly. I know how I feel when I leave a workshop where writing is involved: a mixture of exhilaration, enthusiasm and contentment. Even if the content regarding myself is thought-provoking in terms of my life and change, I value the opportunity to work with it – or decide not to on that particular day. Whatever the result, Writing for Wellbeing can generate release in the body and mind.
In this post, however, I haven’t set out to list all the positives or negatives of Writing for Wellbeing, but simply to offer to the participants of my groups, and others interested, the opportunity to be a part of my research paper. This will require confidential 1-to-1 interviews and small group discussions. The research paper will be fully anonymous and, of course, full consent is required.
If you are interested in participating or simply wish to find out more, please do contact me via email or my contact form (click here).