Creative Writing is a powerful tool for self-exploration and self-help

All of us, at some point in our lives, feel the build-up of emotional pressure - and we simply don't know how to de-stress. We end up letting off steam on people, or indulging in eating binges, or become victims of stress-related diseases. Fortunately, with more people looking to take charge of their own well-being, today we have a great array of therapies, books, techniques and workshops for self-awareness and growth. An interesting new tool is creative writing. It harnesses the power of the written word. Many people have, for long, used the 'Dear Diary' form of writing to express their innermost emotions and to unburden themselves during troubling times. Creative writing exercises take this several steps further. Used as a self-help tool, creative writing therapy helps us to look at life issues as well as our way of handling them, in a completely new light.

"It's good to be heard…It's even better to be understood… And the greatest thing is when you understand yourself," says family counselor Gouri Dange. A writer herself, Gouri has held writing-healing workshops in Mumbai and Pune, and plans to hold one in the second week of January 2005 in Wanawadi.

What lies unexpressed or unknown within us, controls and limits us. With the help of various writing formats - poetry, letters, dialogues, advertorials, limericks, slogans, free-flowing prose, even news-reports - the writing-healing workshop helps you express sorrows and joys, hopes and fears, in ways that you may have never explored. The process of 'playing' with various writing styles and forms and content helps us to gain self-knowledge as well as empathy and understanding for those around us.

The processes of delving into the self, taking part in the various writing exercises, sharing, listening, empathizing - leads you to your inner core. The workshop not only helps you in your own journey of self-growth, but generates an atmosphere of trust and bonding amongst the participants. The mood is sometimes prayerful, sometimes playful, sometimes deeply touching…all leading to a sense of connectedness with the self.

"One doesn't have to be a published or an accomplished writer at all, to use writing as an effective tool," says Gouri. You need no special writing skills, as such, since the idea is not to develop writing talent, but to learn more about yourself.

Healing Through Creative Writing, Date and time: 3 pm to 6 pm, January 15 and 16
Workshop fee: Rs. 700. To register call 98224 07232, or 98901 63111 or E-mail: gouridange@yahoo.com

Anandi