‘The Writeful Place’: St. John’s College launches expressive writing workshops

Catalina Ronzon introduces a new group at St John’s, in which sessions explore how expressive writing can enrich personal lives and strengthen communities.

Over the last two weeks of the Michaelmas term, St John’s College hosted the first two sessions of a new expressive writing project open to John’s undergraduate and postgraduate students alike. Operating under the name The Writeful Place, the series of workshops aims to provide attendees with a space in which to learn and practice skills for emotional regulation and problem-solving through the use of the written word. It also seeks to encourage us to develop a mindful approach to the issues going on in our lives, as well as take an interest in the lives of our peers and extended community.

The first session examined the concept of journaling as self-therapy, examining various ways in which diary-keeping techniques can help one work through particular situations and conflicts that are going on in our lives, and looking at the different methods of journaling that might be better suited to each person. The second session explored letter-writing, and how writing letters – without necessarily having to actually send them – can help us better process difficult experiences and memories, improve our various relationships and get clearer on both our short and long-term goals.

The sessions have a theoretical and a practical component: in the theoretical part, students are exposed to the history and uses of a particular expressive writing approach as a self-therapeutic tool. Following this, the practical component allows them to put the acquired learning in practice and start working out which techniques and methods might work best for them.

While expressive and creative forms of writing are interrelated, expressive writing is less concerned with formal conventions and more focused on how writing about our experiences can be used as a practical tool by individuals and communities. Towards the end of each workshop, students who might want to share what they have written during the practical have the opportunity to do so, giving them a chance to receive both personal and stylistic feedback, in the case of those who might also be interested in the latter angle (though this is not compulsory). This enables us to get to know and understand our peers better, fostering empathy and strengthening communal ties. Snacks and drinks are also provided – which, in combination with soothing classical music, make for an ideal environment in which to unwind at the end of a busy weekday.

Further information and how to get involved:

• The project is organised by postgraduate student Catalina Ronzon and stems out of her particular research interests into life writing and wellbeing. It was also inspired by the work and research carried out at Durham’s Institute for Medical Humanities.
• The Writeful Place will continue to run over the course of the Epiphany and Easter terms. Examples of future topics might include short stories, autobiographical writing, opinion pieces and poetry. For updates on when the next sessions will be taking place, keep your eye on the College email newsletter, as well as John’s various social media accounts!