Recently, I have been teaching live the Awakened Spirit course, and as you would expect, I am learning so much from my students. Because of this, I finally embraced the idea of writing a book about my healing journey.
I’ve stalled over the years, writing books about isolated health issues, for example, healing osteoporosis naturally. But I have never published any of these books because they were simply part of my healing journey and helped me to make sense of how to heal. Or at least my way of healing.
These are not wasted; I will use some of the material in my new book and the rest in a healing blog. It seems a shame to waste it.
I think I haven’t written this book because my life experiences felt heavy for so long. Perhaps you, too, have felt the weight of your experiences pressing down on you, begging to be released? Maybe you’ve thought about writing it all down, but then that little voice pipes up: “Who would want to read about my life?” Oh, my dear friend, if only you knew how many hearts your words could touch, how many souls you could heal – including your own.
I already feel trepidation and haven’t even passed the rough outline. And even though I have done that, I am still thinking, Where do I even begin? What if it’s too painful? What if I’m not ready? But here’s the beautiful thing about writing – it meets you exactly where you are. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t rush. It simply provides a safe space for your truth to unfold.
I know this to be true, and I know that once I start, it will flow and be relatively easy.
The Therapeutic Magic of Putting Pen to Paper
Let’s talk about why writing about your experiences can be so incredibly healing. It’s not just about telling a story; it’s about making sense of your own narrative. When we write, we give shape to our memories, emotions, and thoughts. We take what feels like a tangled mess inside our minds and hearts and gently, lovingly, unravel it onto the page.
Writing allows us to:
1. Process our emotions: Sometimes, feelings are too big and too complex to handle all at once. Writing gives us a way to explore them bit by bit at our own pace.
2. Gain perspective: Ever notice how a problem seems different when you see it written down? Writing creates a bit of distance, allowing us to see our experiences from new angles. That’s why I love journaling.
3. Reclaim our power: When we write our story, we become the authors of our lives. We get to choose how to frame our experiences and what meaning to give them.
4. Release what no longer serves us: There’s something cathartic about getting our thoughts out of our heads and onto paper. It’s like we’re creating space for new, more positive thoughts to grow.
5. Connect with our inner wisdom: Often, we have the answers we seek within us. Writing can help us tap into that inner knowledge.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again – people start writing thinking they’re just jotting down memories and end up discovering parts of themselves they never knew existed. They uncover strength they didn’t know they had, resilience they’d forgotten about, and wisdom they didn’t realise they’d gained.
Journaling Prompts: Your Gateway to Self-Discovery
Now, I know staring at a blank page can be intimidating. Where do you even begin? That’s where journaling prompts come in. Think of them as friendly little invitations to explore your inner world. Here are some to get you started:
1. Describe a moment when you felt truly alive. What made it special? This prompt helps you connect with positive experiences and the emotions associated with them. It can remind you of your capacity for joy and fulfilment.
2. Write a letter to your younger self. What would you want them to know? This exercise allows you to practice self-compassion and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Blimey, where do I even begin!
3. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome? How did it change you? Reflecting on past triumphs can boost your confidence and highlight your resilience.
4. If your pain or struggle had a voice, what would it say? What does it need? This prompt encourages you to listen to and validate your feelings, which is an important part of healing.
5. Describe a person who has had a significant impact on your life. How did they influence you? Exploring our relationships can provide insights into our values and the influences that have shaped us.
6. What does healing mean to you? How will you know when you’ve healed? This helps clarify your goals and what you’re working towards in your healing journey. I don’t think we are ever completely healed as we are constantly in flow, and things come to bite us on the bum, but there will be a point when you say yeah, I feel ok.
7. Write about a time when you surprised yourself. What did you learn about yourself? Recognising our own strengths and capabilities can be incredibly empowering.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to respond to these prompts. Your answers might be a few sentences or several pages. They might be neat and organised or messy and rambling. It’s all perfect because it’s all you.
Structuring Your Healing Book
Now, let’s talk about turning your personal reflections into a book. I know, I know – the idea might seem overwhelming. But remember, every book starts with a single word. And you’ve already begun that journey with your journaling.
The key is to break everything down into chunks. I used to liken it to eating a bar of chocolate chunk by chunk, but now I am sugar-free, and an apple doesn’t hold the same appeal.
Here’s a possible structure for your healing book. I suggest you get some post it notes and get everything out of your head using this structure. I mean, all, nothing is worthless or silly.
1. The Starting Point: Begin with where you are now. What prompted you to start this healing journey? What do you hope to achieve? Play with ideas of what could be the best starting point.
2. Looking Back: Explore your past experiences. This doesn’t mean reliving every painful moment but rather examining key events that have shaped you.
3. The Turning Point: Was there a moment when you realised something needed to change? This could be a rock bottom moment or a gradual awakening.
4. The Journey Begins: Describe the first steps you took towards healing. What worked? What didn’t? What surprised you?
5. Challenges and Setbacks: Healing isn’t linear. Talk about the obstacles you faced and how you navigated them.
6. Lessons Learned: What insights have you gained along the way? How has your perspective shifted?
7. Transformation: How are you different now compared to when you started? What new strengths or skills have you developed?
8. Looking Forward: Where do you go from here? What are your hopes for the future?
9. Wisdom to Share: What advice would you give to someone just starting their own healing journey?
This is just a suggestion. Your book might follow a completely different structure, and that’s okay. Most importantly, it feels authentic to you and your journey.
As you write, be gentle with yourself. Some days, the words will flow easily. On other days, it might feel like pulling teeth. Both are normal. You might laugh as you write, or cry, or feel angry. All of these emotions are valid and part of the process.
And here’s something really important: you don’t have to share everything. You get to choose what goes into your book and what remains private. This is your story, and you have full control over how much you want to reveal.
The Power of Your Story
I want you to know something: your story has the power to heal not just you but others as well. Think about a time when you read something that made you feel less alone, that made you think, “Yes! Someone else understands!” That’s the gift your book can give to others.
I worked with a woman who was hesitant to write about her struggles but was happy to write the practical stuff. The practical stuff is a transformational journal. Your story makes it a self-help book. Later she came back to review her book and added it in.
When she finally shared her work, the response was overwhelming. People reached out to thank her, share their stories, and tell her how her words had given them hope. She had turned her pain into light for others.
That’s the magic of sharing our stories. It creates connections. It builds bridges of understanding. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles or triumphs.
Embracing the Journey
As you plunge, feet first on this writing journey, remember that it’s not about creating a perfect, polished manuscript right away. It’s about exploration, discovery, and healing. Your first draft might be messy, raw, and full of emotion – and that’s beautiful. That’s where the real gold lies.
Don’t worry about grammar or structure in the beginning. Just let the words flow. You can always revise and refine it later. The most important thing is to get your story, experiences and wisdom out.
And please, be patient and kind with yourself throughout this process. Writing about personal experiences, especially painful ones, can bring up a lot of emotions. That’s normal and okay. If you need to take breaks, take them. If you need support, reach out for it. This is your journey, and you get to set the pace.
Healing isn’t a destination – it’s a journey. And by writing about it, you’re creating a roadmap for yourself and others who might be on a similar path.
So, are you ready to begin? To put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and start exploring your journey? I believe in you. I believe in the power of your words and the importance of your story.
Your experiences, your insights, your unique perspective – they all matter. They all have the potential to create ripples of healing in the world.
So take a deep breath. Pick up that pen. Open that notebook or turn on that computer. And start writing. Start healing. Start transforming your journey into a book that could change lives – including your own.
You’ve got this. And I, for one, can’t wait to see the beautiful, powerful story you’ll tell.
Come and write with me in The Healing Book Project. It’s a safe space for writers like us.
