Offered by facilitator Rebecca Gifford and the wonderful writers at the BC Brain Wellness Program

This is a page to offer writers at the BC Brain Wellness Program some resources and inspiration as they explore their inherent creativity and begin to condition their writing muscle. It contains a reminder about journaling, aka having a writing practice, some writing prompts and provocations, and a list of ideas, authors, poets, programs and resources offered by the entire group of beautiful writers and humans — to help you keep writing, exploring and expressing yourself.

On Journaling and Having a Regular Writing Practice

If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to start making this part of your life and wellness toolbox. Here are some tips on how to get started:

Buy a journal or notebook, create a digital file or find a way to make and store audio journals.
Don’t overthink this. Whatever you’ll use are the right tools. I recommend handwriting during your regular writing practice if possible, but if not, set aside a special space, name your own journal folder something special and meaningful, and make sure it’s private. If you are only able to do spoken word journaling, use voice to text, download a dictation app or create a folder to store audio recordings on your phone or computer. This journal and practice is for you and you alone – for your eyes only, if that is what you choose.

Writing regularly will condition the muscles faster, but start to write even if it’s not a regular practice.
You can write for however long (even five minutes helps), and about absolutely anything. Or nothing. Using prompts is a great way to start (see prompts and resources below). It can be any time of day, in any place that is comfortable to you. There’s no wrong and there are no wrong tools. It’s your time. Get curious, take the expectations out of it, and see where this practice takes you.

If it’s helpful, set yourself up by using any of the tools we explored during the guided meditations in class, or use your own tools for getting into a calm, open, creative space.

If you need a deadline or some kind of accountability to get motivated...set it up! Put writing time on your calendar. Write with someone, or set up a sharing deadline with a friend. Set up what you need, then stick to it.

Some resources on the benefits of creativity and/or writing (research or links to studies included) and the psychology of forming healthy habits:
https://www.artandhealing.org/evidence-of-the-healing-power-of-expressive-writing/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320947
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=rpos20
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-form-a-habit

Potential Writing Prompts:

• Keep it simple: “What I know is…” “I’m thinking of…” “What I want to say is…” “What I’m learning is…”

• Write about your immediate surroundings. What do you see? What do you hear? Smell?

• What or how is your body feeling in this moment?

• Make a list of what you are grateful for today. Or most annoyed by. Or most amused about.

• Listen to a piece of music. How does this make you feel? How would you describe it to someone who can’t hear it?

• Look at a picture and describe it using all five senses. Or write a brief story imagining what could be occurring before, during or after the photo.

• Pick a random page in a book or open up your web browser. What’s the first item that comes up? Write a few sentences about your reaction.

• If you’re feeling stuck about what to write about, write about feeling stuck about what to write about. What does it feel like in your mind, body, heart? Why are you stuck?

Additional writing, creativity, wellness and mental health resources and links (from Rebecca and your fellow Brain Wellness Program writers!):

BC Brain Wellness Creative Collective (for more info and to submit pieces): https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/blog/creative-collective

Journaling/Writing Practice/Poetry Resources & Inspiration

Writing Practice: A Simple Tool to Develop Awareness
https://www.kimrobertsart.com/blog/writing-practice-simple-tool-develop-awareness

Start Where You Are (and other journals) — Meera Lee Patel
https://www.meeralee.com/

100 Days of Writing Challenge
https://www.lawritersgroup.com/100-day-writing-challenge/

50 Fantastic Creative Writing Exercises (thejohnfox.com)
https://thejohnfox.com/2016/05/creative-writing-exercises/

The 52 Lists Project: A Year of Weekly Journaling Inspiration — Moorea Seal
http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/52-lists-project (includes excerpts and exercises)

Writing Prompts: 60 Ideas You Can Use Today — Freewrite
https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/writing-prompts-60-ideas-you-can-use-today
(This site also offers daily writing prompts sent to your email.)

Poetry Foundation
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/

Poets.org
https://poets.org/

The Artist’s Way — Julia Cameron (free writing)
https://juliacameronlive.com

Weekly Writing Prompts — Reedsy
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/

A Bagful of Haiku by Isabella Mori
https://www.amazon.ca/Bagful-Haiku-87-Imperfections/dp/0995902100/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1651084624&refinements=p_27%3AIsabella+Mori&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Isabella+Mori

How to Write a Haiku in Four Easy Steps
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-haiku-in-4-easy-steps#what-is-the-traditional-haiku-structure

The Perspective from Inside a Character
https://theeditorsblog.net/2016/11/28/the-perspective-from-inside-a-character/

Bullet Journaling
https://bulletjournal.com/

Ordinary & Happy Facebook Page - offers daily and monthly prompts and inspiration
https://www.facebook.com/ordinaryandhappy?

Rebecca’s website — coaching and other workshops
https://www.rebeccagifford.com/

Journaling Together - monthly writing group https://briangrant.org/series/journaling-together/
Monthly online writing group offered by the Brian Grant Foundation and facilitated by Rebecca Gifford — open to all people living with Parkinson's and care partners, caregivers and family members of people with Parkinson's

Thrive Together Network - an organization offering resources and workshops for people facing challenging diagnoses and conditions, founded by Jocelyn Bystrom, BC Brain Wellness Program instructor
https://jocelynbystrom.com/thrive-together-network

The Life Story Summit
https://www.lifestorylaboratory.com/lifestorysummit

Book Passage - San Francisco book store that hosts live events and online workshops
https://www.bookpassage.com/

Deep Story Design with April Bosshard
A BC-based writer, coach and workshop facilitator
https://www.deepstorydesign.com/

Susan Wooldridge - writer and workshop facilitator, creator of Wordpool
http://susanwooldridge.com/

Jacqueline Suskin
The Poem Store
http://www.jacquelinesuskin.com/

Federation of BC Writers
https://bcwriters.ca/

Vancouver Womens Writing Courses
https://vancouverwritingcourses.com/

The Sense Writing Course - Somatic Writing
https://sensewritingcourse.com/

Firefly Creative Writing
https://fireflycreativewriting.com/

100 Days of Writing Challenge
https://www.lawritersgroup.com/100-day-writing-challenge/

Amanda Gorman online Masterclass
Writing and performing poetry
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/amanda-gorman-teaches-writing-and-performing-poetry

Clarity (app available on Apple and other devices)
https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/clarity-cbt-thought-diary/id1010391170

Breathe Magazine
https://www.breathemagazine.com/

Mind Beacon - mental health services and programs
https://www.mindbeacon.com/

The Wisdom of Trauma - film about using healing from life’s challenges to discover wisdom and possibilities, featuring Dr. Gabor Mate
https://thewisdomoftrauma.com/

Mindspace - free mental health programs
https://mind-space.ca/offerings/

The Importance of Play for Adults
https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-importance-of-play-for-adults

Biodynamic Breathwork Institute - free community breathwork events
https://biodynamicbreath.com/community-breathwork-free-sessions/