Life’s difficulties can all take a toll on our personal well-being. Unmet expectations, academic or workplace stresses, and relationship difficulties can leave us feeling disoriented and confused. When faced with such situations, our mind naturally tries to make sense of our experiences by creating narratives. These stories, often based on one-sided perspectives and incomplete information, can be limiting and unhealthy, yet we often find ourselves repeating them over and over. This can negatively impact how we view ourselves and how we perceive and interact with those around us. It can leave us stuck in a very destructive cycle of negative thinking and emotions.
Based on Lengelle & Meijers’ (2009) Transformation Through Writing model, the Restorative Reflections program will use reflective journalling to help you identify personal narratives that are negatively impacting how you think and feel about yourself and how you interact with others. You will be introduced to a writing toolbox full of tools that can help you identify these narratives, turn around them around, and begin to embrace new, healthier, and more life-giving thinking.
Facilitators
Lynn Long is the Senior Education and Learning Specialist for the Conflict Management and Human Rights office. She has worked in various roles involving education and conflict coaching over her 14 years at the University of Waterloo. She was introduced to Lengelle & Meijers’ (2009) Transformation Through Writing model in 2019 while doing her most recent graduate degree. Her own experience with transformation through writing over the next several years led her to focus her final project on adapting this model for use in conflict management processes. Lynn loves camping, cycling and bouldering and is always eager to try new creative pursuits as well.
Who can join?
This group is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Waterloo.
When do we meet?
The group meets on MS Teams, Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If the group is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will be notified ahead of time and can attend the next group.
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, May 23, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
- Tuesday, June 27, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
- Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
- Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
- Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
- Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual
Registration
If you're interested in attending, please register on Portal.
