Journaling for Well-being

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.  

The Journaling for Well-being 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. 

This program is based on Lengelle & Meijers’ (2009) Transformation Through Writing model.  They have done extensive research on how writing can be used to guide individuals in processing difficult personal or workplace events, work through the negative thinking that can result, and transform their thinking allowing them to move forward personally and professionally. 

This is an asynchronous, self-direct program is hosted entirely on LEARN.  In the LEARN site you will find everything that you need to engage with the program.  You will also have access to monthly virtual drop-in sessions where you can connect with others engaging with the program or ask questions. 

One of the reasons this program is co-hosted by both Counselling Services and the Conflict Management and Human Rights Office is to ensure that you have access to the supports you need to do this work well.  Information regarding how to seek support is on the LEARN site. 

Facilitator

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 and how do we meet?

This group is asynchronous through Learn and has several virtual drop-in meetings throughout the winter term. Sign-up for a drop-in session and to recieve the link to LEARN.