Creative writing
In the late 90s I bought Natalie Goldberg’s book ‘Writing Down the Bones’ in a bookstore in Boston. I had been journaling since I was 10, but this book opened my eyes to new possibilities. During my study English Language and Literature and later European Studies I had mainly learned to inform or convince the reader with words. Now I discovered that by using my imagination I could write about anything and everything. Not long after that I discovered books written by Julia Cameron: ‘The Artist’s Way’ and ‘The Right to Write’. These books still inspire me today and have contributed to my love of writing.
Writing puts things in motion
Writing has always helped me when I felt ‘stuck’. I processed heartbreak, feelings of homesickness, periods of loneliness. On paper, I wrote about my miscarriages, the time when I was a primary caregiver and I mourned the loss of loved ones. Writing also helped me solve problems, make choices and steered my career in a completely new direction. Time and again I felt that writing resolved that feeling of being stuck. By making contact with my intuition I got new insights, inspiration and energy. I started to move again!
Writing is healthy
It came as no surprise that what had always felt natural to me has also been scientifically proven. Writing is not only good for your mental health but also for your physical condition. James W. Pennebaker and Joshua M. Smyth did extensive research on this in the late 1980s and concluded that just a few minutes of writing about painful events can do a lot of good. Old emotions are processed, people experience a greater sense of happiness, stress decreases, relationships improve and even the immune system is strengthened.
Intuïtive writing
And then I discovered intuitive writing. I have tried many techniques but I feel most comfortable with this method. With just a small (creative) writing prompt you very quickly get to the heart of the matter. You gradually switch off your inner critic and connect to yourself and those around you. Making contact and listening to your intuition while writing often leads to new insights and clarity.
All in all, writing has played an important role in my life for almost my entire life. Nowadays I love to let others experience the power of writing.
Do you want to know more about my background and work experience? Please check out my LinkedIn profile. Or read this interview!
And do you want to know which books on writing have inspired me? Then check out my Goodreads page.
