Writing “rules” to guide your exploration….

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

As I mentioned in a previous post, I found Natalie Goldberg at a time when I needed some structure and guidance with my writing practice. Journaling was fine, but I wasn’t getting in to the heart of the thing on my own. I found Goldberg’s guidelines to be a safe container to process my story one prompt at a time.

Writing can be daunting, but sometimes it helps to have structure; such as, a timer for prompts, prompt ideas, a process, a ritual to seal in the work of self-exploration.

I like to use Goldberg’s “writing rules”. They are as follows:

1. Keep your hand moving.

2. Be specific.

3. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

4. Go for the jugular.

5. You have permission to write the absolute worst junk in the universe. You are not here to win a contest but to go deep. This is for you—no one else.

So what does writing have to do with counseling? It is another form of meeting yourself and communicating with your deepest self. It is a quiet and unique space all your own where you get to uncover what you love, who you are, what you miss, what you want, what you remember and don’t remember, and who you want to be.

I will leave you with a writing prompt, but first, get a fast moving pen, some paper, and a quiet place to sit for a spell. Set a timer for 2-5 minutes and just write whatever comes to mind. Burn off that top layer of thought. Then you can set another timer for 5 minutes and:

Tell me about the color blue……