Carolyn Carleton
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Writing is therapy....

6/10/2021

2 Comments

 
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It has been a long time since I have made time to write.  I have been walking quite the journey over the past two years and I haven't taken the time to process it all. 

So, last night I made myself a cup of tea and sat with my journal - it has been a long time.  I turned to a blank page and it just sometimes that blank page just stares back at you - you have so much to write but you don't know where to begin or how to start. 

When I teach my journaling workshops I always ask the group to start with the date.  It is always a good place to start.

​So with the date in the top right corner, the words began to flow. 

​Finally after four pages I felt like I had made a good start.  There has been a lot going on and my heart needs a lot of healing.  I have always found writing to be a form of healing for me.  When I wrote my book it caused me to deal with a lot of issues from my past so that I was free to move forward in my life.  

With all that is going on with the COVID-19 I have been found myself coaching people again.  One of the main things that I tell people is that they need to start writing about this experience.  As we write it is incredible to see the awakenings and healing that can emerge.

I have always felt that my life experiences and character building exercises are for me to share.  As with my book and my journey over the past two years, I heal by writing and sharing.  And hopefully through my sharing I can help others on their journeys.
 Do you know that in individuals who have experienced a traumatic or extremely stressful event, expressive writing can have a significant healing effect. In fact, participants in a study who wrote about their most traumatic experiences for 15 minutes, four days in a row, experienced better health outcomes up to four months later 
Overall, writing as therapy has proven effective for many different conditions or mental illnesses, including:
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Grief and loss
  • Chronic illness issues
  • Substance abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Interpersonal relationship issues
  • Communication skill issues
  • Low self-esteem

Don't know how to start?  Write the date and see where you go from there.

Follow the five steps to WRITE:
​W – What do you want to write about? Name it.
R – Review or reflect on it – close your eyes, take deep breaths, and focus.
I – Investigate your thoughts and feelings. Just start writing and keep writing.
T – Time yourself – write for 5 to 15 minutes straight.
E – Exit “smart” by re-reading what you’ve written and reflecting on it with one or two sentences
​Finally, keep the following in mind while you are journaling:
  • It’s okay to write only a few words, and it’s okay to write several pages – just write at your own pace.
  • Don’t worry so much about what to write about, just focus on taking the time to write and giving it your full attention.
  • Don’t worry about how well you write – the important thing is to write down what makes sense to you and what comes naturally to you.
  • Write as if no one else will read it – this will help you avoid “putting on a show” rather than writing authentically

Find a notebook and just start writing.  It's where you will find me - and I will be blogging more over the coming weeks as well.  I have a lot to work through - it's time to start the healing.
click here to get your free Journaling for Mental Wellness eBook!
Carolyn
2 Comments

are your thoughts messing with you?

4/15/2020

1 Comment

 
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I had the opportunity in March to travel to Biggar, SK to teach my Weaving into Wellness workshop.  I had a few hours of driving and I didn't have any books left on my Libby app, so I checked out what was new on the audible app.  

One of my recommendations was Jennie Allen's new book, Get out of your Head.  I read the description and was intrigued, so I downloaded it and set out on my journey.

Recently, I connected with an old friend that has been helping me work through some hurts over the past few years that I haven't been able to work through on my own.  It has been a struggle - but I am finally moving forward and I am so thankful.

As I headed down the highway to Saskatoon I am listening to Jennie tell the story behind the book.  Kilometers of highway pass by that I don't even remember because I am so drawn into her story.  It sounds so familiar.

My struggle over the past few years is being described by Jennie.  The situation is different but I finally feel like someone understands the burden I have been carrying.
As the chapters progress on my journey through the Saskatchewan prairie, I am soaking all the information in.  This books is well researched on a scientific level that I appreciate.  I find myself wishing that I wasn't driving so that I could be taking notes from everything that I am learning.

Finally, I can't handle it anymore and I have to pull over so that  I can start jotting down notes.  You see, I am on my way to teach my workshop to students in Grades 8-11, the workshop is based upon the fact that creativity helps your thought process.  The repetitive motion from weaving releases serotonin in the same way as meditation or yoga.  Our brains feed us negative thoughts throughout each day, by spending time in creative arts it gives our minds a break from the negative messages.

I had to call my husband because I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't drive.  This traveling day was releasing me from so much hurt that I had been carrying around for far too long.  I was learning so much that I was able to share with the students that I would be teaching over the next two days.  When I finally arrived at my destination that night I was not the same person that left my home earlier that day.  I wished I had further to drive because I wanted to finish the book. 😁

The community in Biggar welcomed me in and I had a fabulous two days with them.  My drive home was my time to process all my thoughts, experiences and emotions from the previous three days.  I was thankful to arrive home to have supper with my family and the excitement from our dogs that are always happy to see me.  That night my husband and I sat and chatted over a glass of wine and I was able to share about my time away. 

This trip was so good for my soul, I almost feel selfish because I think I received more out of it than the students that I went to teach.  I had a great time with the students, it was so rewarding to see their faces light up when they figured out that they could do the project and they realized that they have power over their thoughts.  The following day was when life changed in Canada.  COVID-19 was establishing itself in our population and within two days schools were closed indefinitely.  I became even more thankful for this time in the realization that we are all facing a new reality in our lives.

I have finished listening the the audio book and I have subscribed to the Made for this podcast as Jennie is working through her book via her podcast. (Start listening to the podcast episodes in January for the episodes about the book)

The timing of this book - in my life, during the COVID-19 pandemic and in everything we are facing right now is no accident.  When we are in the middle of a season of trial or uncertainty we are unable to see the big picture and understand the 'why' behind it.  Then as we can see how our journey can help others - it all starts to make sense.

I am thankful for Jennie for sharing her journey.  I know that I heal and learn by teaching and helping others on their journey.  Thank you for joining me on this journey.
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    Carolyn Carleton
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