C.P. Estes (author of Women Who Run With the Wolves) always addresses her readers as "Dear Brave Souls." I do not know her exact reasoning for this but I can guess that she knows how much courage it takes to live in this world, to face the pains and heartbreaks, unknowns and setbacks. But even … Continue reading An open letter to those who are human
Journaling Techniques & Prompts
A turret and some (alone) time
I'm sitting in my new Writer's Turret, as I am calling it. It's actually just a small room we recently created by putting up a dividing wall in our son's large bedroom. It is a north-facing room and I was concerned that I would feel the lack of light. But with my desk directly next … Continue reading A turret and some (alone) time
The Word vs. my words
You know that feeling when a connection suddenly clicks in your mind? It is enlightening, almost joyful. I have even experienced it to be mind-boggling. Connections can be and are made all the time, connections that weave our world and those in it together. Connections - like the strands of a spider's web - bond … Continue reading The Word vs. my words
Introducing “Dear Joanna”
Have a journaling question? Wondering what expressive writing is or the benefits of it? Or what Authentic Voice might be? Or even what paper or pen is best? Ask me here. I will answer in the form of a blog post unless it doesn't seem appropriate to do so (for confidentiality reasons). Thanks for writing! … Continue reading Introducing “Dear Joanna”
Hungry fingers. Or, What brings you joy.
This is going to be one of those posts where I just start writing in order to figure out what I'm going to write about. Which, dear writerly friends, is a very good way to start writing. Just write something. Anything. You'll get where you need to go in just a little while. October has … Continue reading Hungry fingers. Or, What brings you joy.
Burning Rage
This is a very personal post. It is the result of trauma that occurred because my voice was muted. I see this “dream” and the writing of it is as the whisper of my returning voice (a loud stage whisper, perhaps?). Rage, which is a socially unacceptable emotion, especially for women, is coming forward and … Continue reading Burning Rage
Taking your Shadow for a Ride
I don't claim to be a poet AT ALL. However, when starting to write up a recent dream this is how it wanted to be written... who am I to argue?! Shadow I took my Shadow for a ride. He’s heavy and oh, so very black. I tell him, Shadow, you’re too big for me … Continue reading Taking your Shadow for a Ride
Trust the Process (pt 10): Hiding
My natural inclination is to introversion. I usually choose to be alone rather than in a crowd. However, at my first two Goddard College's residencies for the Individualized Master's program I went against my own grain. I squeezed in around full lunch tables, joined in conversations in lounges, and laughed over movie showings late (for … Continue reading Trust the Process (pt 10): Hiding
Tolerating Fear
This is a recycled post from a couple of years ago. With summer in full , hot swing, the kids are home most days of the week leaving me very little chance to write (the beach and my laptop aren't great friends). I am yearning to write but when I do have a moment I … Continue reading Tolerating Fear
Trust the Process (pt 9): The Body Knows
As I enter the final week of my first year of graduate school I wonder if, as all Goddard College advisors urge, I have truly trusted the process? This semester has been a rough one time-wise, emotionally and physically. Those of you who have kept up with this blog over the last couple of years … Continue reading Trust the Process (pt 9): The Body Knows
joanna tebbs young 