What is reflective writing?

At its very centre it is about self-exploration.

Self-care, trust, curiosity and attention are key words in this process. We stop for a moment and take a closer look at the words that come from within. There are many other names for this method, or form; therapeutic, exploratory, healing or expressive writing, which is based on American research.

Social psychology professor James W. Pennebaker based at the University of Texas, Austin during the 80’s, began to investigate what happens when we, through the pen, approach events that have affected us at a deep and emotional level.

In reflective writing techniques, the focus is on journeying inwards and writing honestly about feelings, reflections, thoughts and opinions. Working in this way and in great detail is the key to healing writing. Notebooks provide a forum for processing emotions that arise through this introspection. The writing space we create during the process is a place where our life is documented, where our memories are stored and where we can work our way through them.

Through self-exploration and expression we are led towards an inner cleansing. There are many different approaches which we can choose based on our different purposes. Healing writing includes different forms and ways of using our language. Yes, it can look like anything! Prose, poems, letters, fragmentary texts, diary entries, lists, dialogues, or flow writing and questions, where we experiment with genres, narrative perspective, and tempus. It’s not about writing beautifully or grammatically correct.

The purpose is to promote personal well being, growth, and development in order to access the buried information within us.

Are you curious to try reflective writing?
Contact me for tailor-made packages, lectures, workshops, and longer courses.
I use internationally proven writing therapeutic methods along with my own material in my guidance and pedagogic work.