Writing For Healing Prompts

[watundah]

I would like to do some writing to help with healing but am not sure how to begin. I have written about my traumas, but now what? I have searched for ideas online but they're often cheesey - I.e.;"write about your saddest day." Also into art therapy. Trying to get into younger self stuff too. Has anyone any good prompts ? Thanks.

 

[WillyKat]

Just this year I finally finished my book. Part of it is autobiographical, but I also discuss a great deal of the current research on it and how much my experience supports or doesn't theory. It finishes by advocating the healing powers of wilderness and how helping others heal, however small those efforts may be, gives me purpose in life. Ping me if you're interested in reading it; I've posted it for free on the web.

I don't know if that helps or not.

I guess my point is that if you're healing, you might reflect on what was it in your life that brought you to where you are now. That might be helpful to others that are still struggling day to day.

 

[watundah]

That's excellent. It has been a long road of confusion and poor choices but a great deal of schmarts and intestinal fortitude helped me float to the top. That's a reflective topic that requires depth, indeed.

As a fellow fan of the power in the wilderness and how it helps in tapping in to ourselves, I'd love to take a look at your book. Congrats on the accomplisment.

 

[watundah]

Ive read the first few chapters and you do write quite well. Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I shall continue to read it and have found inspiration to document my journey.

 

[Chosen]

Maybe stuff like: What hurt you most at various ages? What was the best things that happened at those ages? If you picked an object or an animal to represent yourself, what would it be and why? What do you most want from people in general? Are there specific people you want different things from? (Like validation, affirmation, challenges, etc). What historical age is most appealing to you and why? If you walked into an antique shop, what objects would interest you most and why? What character from a book do you most relate to? Which one would you most want to become?

Just some ideas.

 

[watundah]

I am getting into the memoir. About 20 pages in already. Just spewing content without editing and lots of "oh, yeah, I should add that" moments. Learning a few things already!

 

[The Albatross]

"Cheesey" for me is most often perceptual bias or resistance... a lot of time's I'll put the workbook down and pick it back up again in 6 months or so... going on with my own journaling.

 

[watundah]

Albatross, I see you're going on several years in your trauma diary. That is amazing dedication. You rock!

 

[barefoot]

For me, I use writing to reflect, gain more insight, develop deeper meaning. So, instead of simply retelling the story or just writing about what has happened in my day (in a journal, let's say) it's more about writing with the intention to more fully explore and deepen the story.

So considering things like:
Why did X happen?
How did I feel and why did I feel that way?
What's the truth in that?
And what's the lie in that?
What did I learn from it?
What's different now as a result of X

They deepen your connection with your own story.

I think writing and story telling can also be a powerful tool when it comes to rewriting your story. Particularly if you feel stuck in where you're currently at in living your own story - maybe not so relevant if you're pouring writing about the past (especially past trauma). But projecting forwards and asking questions like what would I call this current chapter, what's the next chapter, how do I want my story to end etc. That can be really powerful in creating a new intention/vision for yourself.

Enjoy!

 

[watundah]

I finished the first 10 pages involving an in depth description of life up to 12 years old. Boy , did that stir up a bucket of darkness.

 

[Hope4Now]

Boy , did that stir up a bucket of darkness.

Take it slowly. Walk away from it every hour or so so you don't fall in. I have trouble with that so am just sharing. It is very brave of you to write a memoir! I have read a couple of published ones and am in awe of their coherence. May the force (and the forest) be with you as you travel this path.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

When I was at an inpatient unit recently we did journal prompts. I really liked the "if you could be an animal, what would you be and why" and we did some creative writing prompts like taking two pictures of dogs- one that looks like how you are feeling now and one that looks like how you want to feel. Write the thoughts of each dog separately, then have the second dog talk to the first. It was purposeful, yet really got me writing in a way in which I was enjoying myself.

I also write tons of poetry, but I don't have prompts for those, I just write.

In terms of art therapy, I really came to enjoy collaging. I made one just of pictures of water because water is soothing to me. I also ventured into chalk pastels (which I hate the mess they cause, but I took a chance) and I really like the way I can blend them. Again, I just let my mind wander and let the colors lead the way. It's been a great way to get emotions out onto paper or just have some fun with art.