Recently I've been running and developing workshops using the 'Five Ways to Wellbeing' promoted by mental health charity Mind as part of working with
for Sandwell's Vision 2030 mental health fund. As a mental health champion....this sounds very grand - get a medal for shouting 'be happy' at passers by?...I am applying this to creative writing.
The 5 ways to wellbeing are -
Connect - get in touch with people, go to a group, socialise in some way basically.
Notice - get mindful, look around you, be present.
Learn - growth mindset, do new things, stay open, learn new stuff.
Give - give back, help out, random acts of kindness, volunteering - even sharing your writing can be a way of giving.
Be active - move, walk, dance, anything you can do will raise those endorphins.
I'd like to add - practice gratitude and relax to the list. But it's not my list, so that's for another day!
Creative writing ideas for the wellbeing five....
Connect - write a letter, a text, an email. Write a gratitude list.
Notice - Go on a walk, or even make a meal - what can you hear, see, smell, taste, touch - write it down. (Tip - take out 'I hear, I see' etc and read it back to yourself as a poem.
Learn - Read a great writing resource book eg. Stephen King's On Writing. Learn a poem off by heart.
Give - Share your work online, or in an email. Write a poem as a gift for someone. Read their writing.
Be Active - Dance for 3 minutes then write down whatever pops into your head straight afterwards. Go for a walk and take your notebook, stop whenever the mood takes you and jot down where you are and how you feel.
I hope you like these ideas or can think of a few yourself - I'd love to hear about them!
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