The Write Medicine

How journaling can help you heal

Journaling from bed is THE best

If you enjoy ‘with ease’ and would like to support my work, be offered first refusal to book onto my writing & wellbeing retreats with best selling authors, receive discounts towards my therapeutic journaling workshops, please buy me the equivalent of one cup of coffee, by becoming a paid subscriber. Thank you so much.

Dear Friend

How are you today?  I hope you’re fighting fit. I’m still battling this summer virus, dare I say Covid?!  It’s a right bitch of a bug and as someone who really doesn’t do illness well, I think of my dearest friends who are fighting life threatening illnesses.  Wow, they have such grace and patience, never complaining, well not in front of me they don’t.  It really does put my flu like symptoms into perspective.  

During the past few days I haven’t really had the energy to journal, but I managed a few words.  Swear words mostly.  Paragraphs filled with grumbles of self-pity and frustration.  But simply putting pen to paper was a release, it actually opened doors to some cool ideas when I got going. I even had a giggle at how ironic the situation was, I needed to journal now more than ever, as I sat uncomfortable in bed from the relentless coughing and spluttering, I whispered to myself "practice what you preach Tanya”.

What’s most cathartic when journaling through illness, more than the words I throw onto the page, is the enjoyment I get from the motion of my handwriting.  My writing always looks beautiful, and it's one skill I’m quite proud of.  Because neat handwriting is a skill, it takes patience and time to master, just look at the calligraphy artists, it’s as though their pens are ballet dancing across the page.

My writing has always been neat, ever since I learnt to grasp joined up handwriting in primary school.  Somehow I wrote with a fountain pen from a very early age and it’s always been one of my most favourite creative tools.  I love them so much, I’ll probably go to the grave with a fountain pen in my hand, no flowers thank you.

This is how in flow I get when I’m journaling… Pen moves, ink flows, words drop and I lose myself in a world where nothing else seems to matter.  I’m present, but I’m not. I do tend to drift off, thinking of times gone by, wondering what the future may hold, trying to pull myself back into the real present moment. I’m usually sat on my swing chair, on the veranda of my small beach cottage, literally steps from the shore.

Earlier, while I was journaling, I was thinking of my dear friend

Julie

- we met through journaling, a lady I love hearing from, she is so sweet, caring, and an all round delightful human being.  Jules is inspirational on so many levels and over the past few months we have shared our most deepest and personal journal entries, laughing about our ridiculous outbursts, but sometimes crying at the cruelty of life’s relentless curveballs.  As I fight this stupid cold, I admire how brave Jules has been through her battle with breast cancer.  Recently she emailed me this heartfelt message which I know she’ll be happy for you to read…

“Just wanted to share my experience of using the journal prompts Tanya set me about TIME.  Wow I fell deep into this!  I didn’t know I thought so much about it, it’s only a concept after all. But it’s made me think about how my conception and relationship with time has changed, especially since my diagnosis, but also in the years before that.  Time has made me feel grief, shock, realisation but also it’s given me the gift of mindfulness and appreciating the right now.”

Jules experience highlights the profound impact that journaling can have, and I’ve felt this more than ever recently.  It allows us to explore our thoughts and emotions, often revealing insights we didn’t know we had.  For those battling illness especially life threatening illnesses, this process can be particularly enlightening and especially healing.

I know I keep repeating myself, but journaling provides a safe space to express your fears, anger, frustrations and sadness without an ounce of judgement.  It offers an outlet for the most complex emotions that come with a challenging diagnosis or difficult treatment. Moreover, it can help in tracking systems, medication effects and overall progress, providing valuable information for both you and your healthcare team.  You may have heard about “bullet journaling” and tracking.  It’s a simple process whereby you can track your exercise commitments, diet, sleep patterns and mood.  

More than anything, therapeutic journaling can be a source of strength and hope.  Over the years it’s allowed me to recognise my resilience, helped me celebrate the smallest of victories and find meaning in my life.  Even on days like today, when I’ve felt weak and irritable, the act of writing, even just a word can be so powerful.  And at times quite illuminating.

If you’re feeling unwell this weekend, maybe a little overwhelmed, or simply in need of a gentle push towards self-reflection, here are a few journaling prompts. Please help yourself.  Remember there is no right or wrong way to approach these prompts, ramble away, write like no one is reading.

1.  Think of three words.  Chose one and write for 2-3 minutes.  Describe where does this word shows up in your life?  Is it triggering and if so why? How does this word make you feel?  This is what I call a micro-movement prompt.  Write as much about your selected word as possible in the time allocated.

2. What brings you comfort during difficult times? Describe it in detail.

3. What has your illness taught you about yourself?

4. Describe your ideal day of healing.  What does it look like? How does it feel?  Where are you?

5. Write about a challenge you have overcome in the past.  How can that strength help you now?

These prompts are just a starting point, feel free to write as little or as much as you feel able.  Some days you might write pages, other days, just a word or sentence.  It’s all valuable.

As I keep reminding myself and others, as you journal, please be gentle with yourself. 

Until the next time

Take care and get well soon. xx

Ease Retreats heal the soul

What’s On 'with ease'

Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with ease & Emma Gannon - only 1 bedroom left available - 16th-18th November 2024

Rage on a Page - you’re very welcome to join the next series of my therapeutic journaling program. I’m looking to work with 6 women and there are only 3 spaces left available. Starting from the 9th September 2024

More Sales Please - a brand new day retreat to blow up the sales in your creative business without the grind, with the gorgeously energetic Sara Dalrymple of The Scoop-27th September 2024

Doing Hard Things with ease & Stacey Heale- there is a waiting list for the next retreat later this year - date tbc. Plus, there is a bursary place for one lucky guest.

Digital Detox Weekend Retreat - set in a gorgeous beach house near Pembrokeshire. Join me to learn how to take back control on the amount of time you spend on your device, find new ways to entertain yourself, embrace more positive daily activities and generally feel more upbeat and happier. Guaranteed… coastal walks, cold water therapy, feasting on local produce, therapeutic journaling workshops, reading, writing and plenty of resting! 18th-20th October 2024