On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m guiding you through a gentle restorative reading and writing session for when things need to change in your life or you simply want them to.

Here’s a quick overview of how the guided sessions work:

* First, we begin with a bit of grounding and a few breaths to settle us.

* Then, I share a powerful short reading to orient our focus and launch our reflective writing.

* Following the reading, I guide you through three journaling invitations that build on each other and shift the energy on the page and in your body.

* Finally, we end with a short, yet powerful, affirmation to carry throughout your day and beyond.

Let me be clear: this is NOT your run-of-the-mill journaling session where we end up more overwhelmed than when we started because we’re listing and diving into all the changes we want and need. Nope. Instead, we’ll begin by uncovering all the things we THINK we need to change in our lives and then zero in on the ACTUAL thing that resides within us that must change first.

For me, it was first listing that my physical body needed need change. I needed to lose a few pounds. I needed to get stronger. I needed to build mobility and flexibility. I needed to change the clothes I wore. I needed to fix my hair. I needed to change my skincare. And on and on…until I realized through this session that ACTUALLY, the way I talked to myself and thought about myself is what needed to change instead.

I also had a long list of things other people should change. My kids should stop making a mess on the kitchen counter. My husband should start throwing his laundry in the chute instead of leaving it on the floor. The dogs should stop leaving their dog toys everywhere (seriously). But what ACTUALLY needed to change? My need to keep everything perfect, do everything myself and in a particular way. You know, leaving co-dependency behind and adopting healthy boundaries.

That’s. Big.

This guided session will help you reach some epiphanies of your own, I am sure. Grab your notebook, your favorite writing utensil and let’s write together.

Here are the books and writing prompts mentioned in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

SELF LOVE POETRY FOR THINKERS & FEELERS by Melody Godfred (Amazon / Bookshop)

Writing Prompts:

First:

* What feels ready for change in my life right now?

* What NEEDS to change in my life right now?

Second:

* Which changes are those that I can actually control?

* What are the patterns that point to a deeper change that’s needed within me?

* If this part of my life could speak, what would it say?

Third:

* The smallest step I can take toward this change is...

* What feels possible?

* What feels kind?

* What feels true?

Affirmation:

May you trust what is unfolding. May you honor what is ending. May you welcome what is emerging. And may you remember that every meaningful change can begin on the safe space of the page.

Here’s the audio I used in the episode: Nature Healing Society

Once you’ve listened, I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Let’s Work Together!

I love to connect with others around our shared love of reading and writing.

Here are some ways we can work together to create a life you love where restorative reading and writing is at the center of it all:

🩷 Join my private Substack community for themed book calendars, bonus posts, book clubs and events each month!

📚 Connect 1:1 for personalized coaching to unlock the transformative power of your reading and writing life. Click here for bibliotherapy and click here for expressive writing therapy. Let’s work together!

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