How to Create a Healthy, New Narrative in a time of Global Change


How to Create a Healthy, New Narrative in a time of Global Change
Express Yourself Through My Online Writing Group
Writing Medicine is an expressive way to be validated in your writing. It improves self-awareness. Application using prompts, such as words, stories, poems, or themes has been utilized and studied since the 1970s as a method to uncover subconscious, latent ideas and creativity in individuals.
This practice has been used in psychology and humanities departments in universities and, more recently (the 1990s), in the field of medicine. The benefit to an individual in engaging in this form of writing is a heightened awareness and development of attention, reflection, and imaginative discourse with a presentation of personal and impersonal experience put into words.
Using writing as a medicine speaks to the alchemy that occurs when written words are expressed in a spontaneous exercise with prompts, and written without pre-thought as to how to express oneself or thought over, prior to expressing.
It also allows what arises to be put onto paper in a short period of time, anywhere from 3 minutes to 15 minutes. Then, the writings are read aloud.
Writing the words in this manner requires the use of the right brain, which is responsible for our creative, nonlinear ways of thinking. Reading the words aloud allows our brains to hear the words coming in from outside our internal thoughts.
By reading and allowing the vibrations of sound to engage with our emotions and reasoning, a new alchemy can occur that shifts one’s perception about what the thoughts put into words now say and mean to us.
When this practice of writing is done in a group, another alchemy is present, which can be a medicine for the individual and group. The group holds space by being fully present in reading without judgments or critiques, allowing for a greater acceptance of what is written and spoken.

The perception of the meaning of the words can shift once again and be integrated into a deeper layer of understanding for the individual.
Why do this? It is fun, rich, and steeped in layers of connection within the woven fabric of our lives and the way we connect to others.
Express Yourself Through My Online Writing Group
Writing Medicine is an expressive way to be validated in your writing. It improves self-awareness. Application using prompts, such as words, stories, poems, or themes has been utilized and studied since the 1970s as a method to uncover subconscious, latent ideas and creativity in individuals.
This practice has been used in psychology and humanities departments in universities and, more recently (the 1990s), in the field of medicine. The benefit to an individual in engaging in this form of writing is a heightened awareness and development of attention, reflection, and imaginative discourse with a presentation of personal and impersonal experience put into words.
Using writing as a medicine speaks to the alchemy that occurs when written words are expressed in a spontaneous exercise with prompts, and written without pre-thought as to how to express oneself or thought over, prior to expressing.
It also allows what arises to be put onto paper in a short period of time, anywhere from 3 minutes to 15 minutes. Then, the writings are read aloud.
Writing the words in this manner requires the use of the right brain, which is responsible for our creative, nonlinear ways of thinking. Reading the words aloud allows our brains to hear the words coming in from outside our internal thoughts.

By reading and allowing the vibrations of sound to engage with our emotions and reasoning, a new alchemy can occur that shifts one’s perception about what the thoughts put into words now say and mean to us.
When this practice of writing is done in a group, another alchemy is present, which can be a medicine for the individual and group. The group holds space by being fully present in reading without judgments or critiques, allowing for a greater acceptance of what is written and spoken.
The perception of the meaning of the words can shift once again and be integrated into a deeper layer of understanding for the individual.
Why do this? It is fun, rich, and steeped in layers of connection within the woven fabric of our lives and the way we connect to others.
Writing Medicine Circles
Improve Your Self-Awareness Through Our Writing Group
Express Yourself Through My Online Writing Group
Writing Medicine is an expressive way to be validated in your writing. It improves self-awareness. Application using prompts, such as words, stories, poems, or themes has been utilized and studied since the 1970s as a method to uncover subconscious, latent ideas and creativity in individuals.
This practice has been used in psychology and humanities departments in universities and, more recently (the 1990s), in the field of medicine. The benefit to an individual in engaging in this form of writing is a heightened awareness and development of attention, reflection, and imaginative discourse with a presentation of personal and impersonal experience put into words.
Using writing as a medicine speaks to the alchemy that occurs when written words are expressed in a spontaneous exercise with prompts, and written without pre-thought as to how to express oneself or thought over, prior to expressing.
It also allows what arises to be put onto paper in a short period of time, anywhere from 3 minutes to 15 minutes. Then, the writings are read aloud.
Writing the words in this manner requires the use of the right brain, which is responsible for our creative, nonlinear ways of thinking. Reading the words aloud allows our brains to hear the words coming in from outside our internal thoughts.
By reading and allowing the vibrations of sound to engage with our emotions and reasoning, a new alchemy can occur that shifts one’s perception about what the thoughts put into words now say and mean to us.
When this practice of writing is done in a group, another alchemy is present, which can be a medicine for the individual and group. The group holds space by being fully present in reading without judgments or critiques, allowing for a greater acceptance of what is written and spoken.
The perception of the meaning of the words can shift once again and be integrated into a deeper layer of understanding for the individual.
Why do this? It is fun, rich, and steeped in layers of connection within the woven fabric of our lives and the way we connect to others.



Research Expressive Writing
This is a tool for improving overall health. Studies done over the past 25 years have shown that expressive writing, defined as “simple writing on deeper thoughts and emotional sensations,” is a useful tool to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms.
Psychologist James Pennebaker is credited for developing a writing paradigm to explore connections between disclosure of upsetting emotions and physical and mental health. He started his research with an interest in the impact of traumatic experiences on the physical and mental health of individuals.
Research shows that people with good verbal expressive skills tend to be more resilient to the potential negative consequences of trauma. Pennebaker’s initial research was to see if writing about traumatic events would improve an individual’s emotional and physical health.
His research did and does support the principle of health psychology, which holds that there is an important connection between the expression of emotions and physical and mental health. Emotional expression, without fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection, allows the individual to be more objective about their emotional responses and be able to reframe their trauma.
The individual can reevaluate their cognitive and emotional reactions and recovery. This allows an improvement in coping strategies and a reduction in their emotional distress.
In repeating this practice of self-expression, an individual is building a healthier core of sustainable self-expression, which helps build a foundation of self-worth and resiliency. The research shows that the physical, as well as psychological, benefits of healthy emotional expression, have both short-term and long-term health benefits.
It is my experience that the expressive writing tool benefits are not limited to working through traumatic events. The benefits are seen in the health, self-esteem, resiliency, and emotional regulation of individuals that use this practice.
Through expressive writing practices, an individual gains a deeper insight into themselves and gains confidence in their expression of their experiences, thoughts, ideas, and relationships.


It is my experience that the expressive writing tool benefits are not limited to working through traumatic events. The benefits are seen in the health, self-esteem, resiliency, and emotional regulation of individuals that use this practice.
Through expressive writing practices, an individual gains a deeper insight into themselves and gains confidence in their expression of their experiences, thoughts, ideas, and relationships.
Research Expressive Writing
This is a tool for improving overall health. Studies done over the past 25 years have shown that expressive writing, defined as “simple writing on deeper thoughts and emotional sensations,” is a useful tool to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms.
Psychologist James Pennebaker is credited for developing a writing paradigm to explore connections between disclosure of upsetting emotions and physical and mental health. He started his research with an interest in the impact of traumatic experiences on the physical and mental health of individuals.
Research shows that people with good verbal expressive skills tend to be more resilient to the potential negative consequences of trauma. Pennebaker’s initial research was to see if writing about traumatic events would improve an individual’s emotional and physical health.
His research did and does support the principle of health psychology, which holds that there is an important connection between the expression of emotions and physical and mental health. Emotional expression, without fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection, allows the individual to be more objective about their emotional responses and be able to reframe their trauma.
The individual can reevaluate their cognitive and emotional reactions and recovery. This allows an improvement in coping strategies and a reduction in their emotional distress.
In repeating this practice of self-expression, an individual is building a healthier core of sustainable self-expression, which helps build a foundation of self-worth and resiliency. The research shows that the physical, as well as psychological, benefits of healthy emotional expression, have both short-term and long-term health benefits.


Research Expressive Writing
This is a tool for improving overall health. Studies done over the past 25 years have shown that expressive writing, defined as “simple writing on deeper thoughts and emotional sensations,” is a useful tool to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms.
Psychologist James Pennebaker is credited for developing a writing paradigm to explore connections between disclosure of upsetting emotions and physical and mental health. He started his research with an interest in the impact of traumatic experiences on the physical and mental health of individuals.
Research shows that people with good verbal expressive skills tend to be more resilient to the potential negative consequences of trauma. Pennebaker’s initial research was to see if writing about traumatic events would improve an individual’s emotional and physical health.
His research did and does support the principle of health psychology, which holds that there is an important connection between the expression of emotions and physical and mental health. Emotional expression, without fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection, allows the individual to be more objective about their emotional responses and be able to reframe their trauma.
The individual can reevaluate their cognitive and emotional reactions and recovery. This allows an improvement in coping strategies and a reduction in their emotional distress.
In repeating this practice of self-expression, an individual is building a healthier core of sustainable self-expression, which helps build a foundation of self-worth and resiliency. The research shows that the physical, as well as psychological, benefits of healthy emotional expression, have both short-term and long-term health benefits.
It is my experience that the expressive writing tool benefits are not limited to working through traumatic events. The benefits are seen in the health, self-esteem, resiliency, and emotional regulation of individuals that use this practice.
Through expressive writing practices, an individual gains a deeper insight into themselves and gains confidence in their expression of their experiences, thoughts, ideas, and relationships.
The Practice
I have found by committing some time to this group exercise of word-focused spontaneous writings, use of deep listening, and sharing our writing without critique, that there is an alchemy that occurs.
There is a deeper awareness of thoughts, feelings, and emotions that each of us has in our experience bank that would not likely be shared or even self-examined if not through this practice.
The healing alchemy comes through the acceptance of our individual and group humanity, all our assets and flaws, and our genuineness revealed and shared.

The Website Experience
This website is an offering to those seeking to connect with both themselves and others at a deeper level of experience through writing. The website will offer a weekly blog on writing experiences, an interactive chat feature for Q&A regarding writing groups or circles, and periodic writing online groups.
Mission Statement
My mission is to bring an opportunity to experience yourselves and others with respect, acceptance, and appreciation of our similarities and differences.
About Penelope

Learn More About My Writing Group
Take the first step to better expressing yourself by joining my online writing group. Get in touch with me to learn more about the activities you can participate in here. I hope to hear from you soon!
Upcoming Events
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