Journaling is a process of writing down a part of your life where you may want to explore thoughts, show gratitude, keep memories, or explore ideas. It is a safe place to process, record, or create and can be a tremendous exploration opportunity.
I think of journaling like a trusted friend – one you can let your ‘hair’ down and write what is bubbling up. No judgment. I also love to use it for gratitude – a wonderful place to focus on the end of your day on what went RIGHT vs. focusing on what may have gone wrong—a lovely way to go to sleep at night.
I recently had the great pleasure of being introduced to Cynthia Gum, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, to explore the possibility of creating a journaling circle – a group connected through zoom to explore the vast opportunity of journaling and being able to do so amongst other caregivers.
I am a firm believer in the power of connections, part of the core of Breathing Spaces, so to have this opportunity to share what Cynthia is creating is an honor. She was a caregiver to her late husband, and I can attest from so many wonderful opportunities I have had to connect with her, an incredible woman, and now I can happily say, friend.
Below is an outline of Cynthia’s project through Stanford University. Space is limited in this pilot group, so I encourage you to connect with Cynthia right away if this is of interest to you.
Hugs,
Cyndi
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Cynthia Gum, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, and a 15-year spousal caregiver, will be offering a 6-month Journaling Circle, beginning Saturday April 16. These monthly 1.5-hour Zoom groups will meet from 10-12 PM PDT, every 3rd Saturday of the month except for July. It will end Saturday October 21st.
The purpose of this journaling circle is to learn how to support and increase your emotional wellness when life feels beyond your control. This group will focus upon six core themes of caregiving related to self-care, and self-compassion. These are:
- Pain and Suffering – How to safely hold pain and suffering and invisible loss.
- Gratitude, Forgiveness, Validation and how to be ‘good enough.’
- Patience, Perseverance and Fortitude – Setting Intention.
- Triggers – don’t let them take you off balance.
- Courage, Strength, Resilience, understanding Inner Resources.
- Hope, Hanging-In/On and learning to ‘see in the dark.’
You will have a journaling buddy for additional support and be given prompts for writing and exploration, along with experiences in heart-based meditation, art, and poetry.
This will be a small pilot group and will be part of Cynthia’s Capstone Project for her Applied Compassion Training through Stanford University and their Center for Compassion and Altruistic Research and Education (C-CARE). The ideal participant will be a caregiver looking for tools and support for their emotional well-being.
Self-Care and Self-Compassion are important components of every caregiver’s journey. Breathing Spaces is excited to be able to present this insightful program to support you in your caregiving activities. As a participant in this pilot group, you will be able to co-create this program in order to better serve the caregiving community at large.
Please email Cynthia at cindygum@icloud.com if interested or for any questions, you may have.