Tips and tools to organize and prepare for what is on your horizon

This post focuses on concrete tips and tools to help you feel more organized, confident, and in-the-moment in THIS moment.

Let’s spend a moment reflecting on what we are collectively going through right now, and also what you are going through personally. Inequities and discrimination on a societal level and perhaps also a personal level. Uncertainty about what lies ahead on so many levels.

What are some of the big things for you right now?

How are you doing with all of this?

Of course, many right now are going back to “school”, though there is no certainty about exactly what that means this year. We’ve also been reflecting on what going back to school means and how that feels right now.

We’ve been talking to students about what this feels like for them. In fact, we’ve taken to Zoom to meet with students and talk to them directly about how things are feeling for them and how journaling can help guide them through the feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty. We’ve enjoyed this so much and we would love to continue this throughout the school year!

I’ll briefly highlight two workshops that we ran this summer, one with middle school-aged girls taking part in an online leadership-focused camp and one with undergraduates at Cornell University illustrating how impactful sharing an hour with a group of young people on top-of-mind topics can be.

Journaling Workshops for Youth

What we’ve seen is that, even while on a Zoom call, taking the time to reflect on directed prompts makes a notable difference in terms of self-awareness and achieving clarity. Creating and running these workshops has been a huge positive for us this summer. We (intern Nicholas and myself) felt satisfied that we could provide concrete tools, and these tools and discussions were appreciated.

So much so that we hope to do this again soon.

If your organization or group, whether for adults or youth, is interested in a journaling workshop customized to your needs and interests, please reach out directly.

Organizational tools, masks, and swag

Another experience we have had this summer that has felt positive:

time at home = time to create.

Yes, that has meant some journaling and writing, and several passion projects are still works-in-progress. We’ve dabbled into other types of creating as well. While we anticipate that there will be more creating to come, for now we proudly introduce digital art… for your journals (and for yourselves!). We have created tools for organization and for flair. Our stickers are accessories for your journals! Follow WRGJournaling on Redbubble to see what else will be coming soon!

For example, we’ve just designed and released some new products to support the transition to “back-to-school” (wherever school is). These include organizational products and just-for-fun swag, such as canvas pencil bags, blank notebooks, masks, and stickers for laptops, notebooks, etc.

We’re especially excited about our “pencil & notebook” pattern (created by our graphic design junior intern). This pattern has inspired a range of products perfect for all the students (and journalers) in your life. Regardless of where school is happening this year, you'll be organized! The products below are available our new Redbubble store (you can also search for WRGJournaling, and you can also “follow” us there and “like” what you like).

All of this started because of an idea to create stickers, and to write about this story is tangential. So we’ll save this for our next blog post, coming soon!

If what you’ve read about here compels you to want to learn more or to share this post with others…. you know what to do- be in the moment and reach out!

Marni Amsellem, Ph.D.

Founder,

Writereflectgrow.com

Lessons learned from a journaling workshop

One way to navigate adventures and challenges is to record experiences, emotions, and reflections in a journal. 

In my clinical practice, many of my clients bring some insights from journaling into therapy, or they use journals to continue the work that they have started in therapy. The value of journaling as a therapeutic tool can not be overstated.

Many others, I’ve noticed, do not journal, but are curious about journaling. They want to understand what journaling really is, what it can do for them, and how to do it. This is exactly why I have created journaling workshops.

Spoiler: the workshops are a success.

Read on to hear what workshop attendees say about their experiences. I’m sharing what some workshop attendees have shared about participating in an evidence-based workshop series I’ve developed for individuals diagnosed with cancer. I have now run this three-part workshop series with three cohorts since March, 2019, at a community-based oncology setting.

The workshop, complete with exercises and homework, focuses on: 

• Emotional and physical health benefits of journaling

• Cultivating a journaling habits

• Identifying barriers and motivators for journaling to help sustain a journaling practice

My purpose in creating this workshop was to help individuals diagnosed with cancer process the emotional experience of cancer, record personal journeys, and connect with others. My objectives have been realized and expectations have been exceeded.

In their words, they will described some lessons learned in response to a few open-ended questions:

Were your goals met? How were they met or not met?

“My goal was to establish a regular journaling habit. I’m so busy that I put journaling off, but I do enjoy it and this class has helped.”

“My goals were met by using the tools and resources provided to ease my anxiety”

“My goal was to get started with journaling. I tend to keep my thoughts inside and want to leave some notes or thoughts for my family. I had a slow start but I’m getting there.”

“My goal was to try to write a journal about my feelings. I tried hard but I really need to work harder on this.”

“Journal prompts and gratitude focus allows for easy-to-recollect subject matter.”

“My goals were met by the content of the workshop”

“I feel that my goals were met. My confidence in my writing has grown.”

“My goals were exceeded. It was a great experience and I have new tools and processes to help me in the days ahead.”

“I gained insights about where I want to go and how I might accomplish that.”

“I wanted to learn the process of keeping a journal. Yes, goals were met and Dr. Amsellem did an excellent job waking and talking and listening to us throughout the process.”

The next question that attendees had responded to that I want to highlight is related to the unexpected benefits that they received from participation. Here is what they said, in their own words:

Were there unexpected benefits from attending the workshop?

“Sharing experiences and realizing that we all have our struggles.”

“To meet the people and hear some of their stories.”

“Just recognizing the effort it takes to ‘show up’.”

“I drew a positive attitude and emotions from others.”

“What came out of personal reflection, the creative process, and group interaction”

“That I actually want to journal. I was a bit apprehensive about that!”

“The support from the group” 

“I got to deal with some issues that surprised me and gained some insights on what really can work for me.”

“Learning what other cancer patients are currently dealing with and how they approach each day with a positive mindset.”

As suggested here, workshop outcomes are overwhelmingly positive. Most notably, every participant has completed the workshop with a greater sense of community and shared experience, and this happened because they had opened themselves up to the experience of trying something new.

I have recently shared a more thorough account of findings with oncology professionals and healers at an international conference. I have plans to continue this workshop in its current setting and to share it with an even larger audience in the future. Please do stay tuned! Also, I invite you to subscribe for updates so you’ll be in-the-know!

Marni Amsellem, Ph.D.

Founder, Write.Reflect.Grow.