Over the past few years, I have been intrigued at what comes out of my writing workshops that goes beyond getting-words-on-the-page. I have noticed that certain prompts have brought about a fundamental and profound emotional shift in the writer. A shift that arguably is more important than the story itself, or the publishing of that story. The very act of writing it was a profoundly necessary, spiritual and unveiling experience.
The people who came into the session, leave, as another.
I have had it happen to myself even while facilitating a workshop.
We have all been told how writing can be therapeutic, and how important it is to ‘express’ ourselves creatively. But, I’ve been somewhat resistant to it in the past. I’ve shied away (or so I thought) from revealing anything of myself. But I was probably someone who needed to do it the most (aint that always the way)!
Over the next few weeks/months, I’m going to do a series exploring this link and why we should value writing beyond publication. There’s more to writing than ‘success’.
The importance of creating safety first
I’ve been taking an Art Therapy course online that focuses on art (writing isn’t included for some reason) as a form of therapy and it has been fascinating to see the overlap. One of the first things it teaches is about how to create a non-judgemental, supportive and listening environment for the person involved. It is paramount in a successful art therapy session.
I discovered this from my own experience with writing; how vital it is to create safety and warmth at the beginning of a workshop or group session. When you enter a room full of people you don’t know, you are vulnerable. Exposed.
I’ve also noticed that one of the biggest factors that enables an aha-writing moment, is my comfort level and whether I feel safe, un-judged. (Even if I am in an environment where I won’t be sharing my work.) I need to be surrounded by people who are accepting and non-judgemental. Otherwise, I cannot get myself into a state of writing for my own sake. I become highly aware of myself, watching myself, filtering my responses or aiming to try and ‘match’ or ‘please’ the group dynamic. There is no room for me to write when my brain is concerned about being rejected by the group (this is all completely subconscious to me) or if I am worried about how I am giving feedback/responding too.
So when I run a workshop, I instinctively know the importance of:
Welcoming and chatting to people when they arrive and getting to know them. I ask them where they’ve come from and what they do etc. I didn’t do this in one workshop and I regretted it massively. It had a huge impact on the dynamic and openness of the group, and I felt like I hadn’t connected. Whenever I feel the stress of the workshop looming, it helps to remind myself of what matters to me most - human connection.
Setting expectations - this is where I outline that we are there to enjoy ourselves, and have some fun.
A warm up exercise that promotes connection and breaks down fears.
Encouragement.
If in person, then I will encourage movement if I can, as this softens the feel of the workshop.
How to create a safe environment for creativity to flourish
If you are considering a writing group, or being part of one. Remember the importance of emotional safety. Not just for yourself, but for others too. How can you foster this environment?
Or if you are struggling to write in general, consider whether you have given yourself emotional safety. Is your internal monologue criticising you too much? Are you being too judgemental on yourself? Consider whether you can help foster some emotional safety by:
Setting different expectations for yourself - to just have fun.
A warm up exercise that helps to break down your fears (I’d recommend ‘Do your worst’ or ‘Have I got news for you’ prompts).
Doing a guided meditation beforehand, to help quieten the mind.
Changing your environment - by immersing yourself in things that make you feel safe, whether that’s in soft clothes, in bed, cosy with a cup of tea. All the things that make you feel embraced.
Science tip: Did you know that a hand on your heart can replicate a hug in your brain?
Exposure to psychosocial stressors, such as social conflict or being judged by others, leads to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in increased fear inducing responses from the amygdala, higher cortisol levels, as well as impaired cognitive abilities including working memory function…
‘Self-soothing touch gestures reduce cortisol responses to psychosocial stress.’
So next time you want to feel safe, or reduce your levels of stress, find a gesture that works for you and give yourself a hug.
Here’s a virtual one from me!
Next few weeks
I’ll talk about the importance of being guided in a prompt - channelled down a route you wouldn’t normally take. In the future, I’ll also be exploring neurosciences and how certain writing exercises can help with anxiety or depression by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain.