‘Loosening the ligaments’: A community of writers

This is a 90-minute online reflective writing workshop that explores how embodied metaphors (objects, spaces, textures, and sensory imagery) can facilitate deep personal reflection without requiring full narrative disclosure. Drawing on the work of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, this workshop foregrounds metaphor as a form of cognition—a way the mind structures experience beyond literal narration.
Participants will engage in guided, metaphor-based writing prompts that invite them to enter experience through images rather than stories—for instance, imagining an emotional state as a place, object, texture, or landscape, and allowing these images to “speak back.” Each exercise will be followed by a brief reflection and sharing, supporting a contained and psychologically safe group process.
In a safe space, we will collectively explore how metaphor can be consciously leveraged in reflective and therapeutic writing. We will support each other to notice the inner images that organize emotional experience and gently reshape them to generate new insights. The workshop aims to offer a practical and portable tool for emotional processing, creativity, and self-understanding.
No prior writing experience is required.

About Facilitator:
Dr. Ananya Mahapatra is a psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience in clinical and research work. She transitioned from the role of a government consultant to an independent, person-centered practice in New Delhi two years ago. She is also a writer working in the intersection of creative writing and well-being, and conducts reflective writing workshops to support emotional growth and resilience. Trained in Bibliotherapy, she works at the intersection of mental health, mindful reading, and reflective writing — exploring how stories, metaphors, and expressive writing can help individuals process grief, identity shifts, and transitions that often remain unspoken.

I’d love you to join my Monthly Reset: a peaceful writing workshop where you can refresh, reflect and return to yourself. Over 90 nourishing minutes, we’ll move through mindfulness and creative writing exercises, with room for optional sharing, active listening and soft, spacious discussion, all held within a supportive, non‑judgemental writing room.

This workshop isn’t about learning to “be a writer” and you don’t need experience or perfect grammar either. It’s about using writing as a gentle tool for grounding, clarity and emotional well‑being, where all you need is a pen and paper (or a laptop) and curiosity to see what unfolds when you open the door to your own writing.

In this session, we’ll complete:
• a guided visualisation, mindfulness or breathing exercise to help you settle and centre
• therapeutic writing exercises and prompts designed to support your well-being
• spacious moments for listening, reflection and optional sharing of your writing

By the end of the workshop, you will have discovered how creative writing can open up meaningful insights into yourself, while also feeling renewed and connected to those around you.

Date:
Saturday 18 July, 16.00 – 17.30pm UK time (Zoom)

About Fi Humphries MSc
I am a Therapeutic Writing Practitioner and after completing my MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes with the Metanoia Institute, I founded The Wellness Writing Room to facilitate group workshops, 1-2-1 sessions and retreats using creative writing as a self-care tool for reflection and renewal. You can find out more about my work and the services I offer at www.thewellnesswritingroom.co.uk.

Writing for Wellbeing Workshop for women in the beautiful setting of Scampston Walled Garden conservatory. No prior knowledge required. Please bring a notebook and pen/pencil. The July theme is “Phases – Seven-year Cycles”.
Booking essential. For more information and to book, please contact sandie@essenceofwriting.com