Writing by Heart for Healing and Self-Discovery
In a world that often seems chaotic and overwhelming, the internal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding connection is more critical than ever. This is where the creation of a regular writing practice can help – where we can process emotions and find clarity in the midst of life’s challenges.
How can we connect with ourselves and others with more depth and honesty? How can we turn past wounds and emotional hurdles into opportunities for growth?
These are questions that poet, educator, and author, Meredith Heller explores in her new book, Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery – published by New World Library.
I’ve invited Meredith to join me on my blog today to talk about the concept of “writing by the heart” – and how creative people can use it as a path for healing and self-discovery.
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Tell us about your book Writing by Heart and what inspired you to write it.
Writing by Heart is about tuning into your heart and writing about what’s here, honesty, authentically, and with compassionate curiosity. The book is an invitation into deep self to discover your truth, your voice, your heart. Something magical happens when we put pen to paper– we engage in creative process and we can tap our own wisdom, our own medicine, to heal and free ourselves. This book is about poetic writing as practice of presence, noticing and being true to what’s bubbling up in you, whether it’s sadness, anger, fear, grieving, loss, joy, or beauty, making room for all of it and finding the words to explore and express it. This kind of writing is healing, liberating, empowering, and transformative. It opens the way for new insights to arise.
What does “writing by heart” mean to you?
When we know something by heart, it’s part of us; we know it all the way down to our bones. Writing by heart is about following what you know, your truth, and seeing where it takes you. It’s about trusting yourself and the writing process, and when we do that, the path opens, healing happens, life force returns. (more…)
Someday — when the kids are grown, when work lightens up, when I win the lottery — I am going to start that business, become a yoga teacher, write that book, develop that app, paint that picture, finish my degree, pick up that musical instrument.
As a certified creativity and life purpose coach, and a certified journal writing facilitator, I work with highly-creative and spiritually-minded women who are facing a variety of life and business transitions that lead them on paths of new beginnings that inspire self-discovery and creative expression.