Introduction to creative writing and journaling

Creative writing can be great for your mental health. It encourages self-expression and can boost your confidence when you finish a piece of work, releasing those ‘happy’ hormones like serotonin & dopamine. South Kent Mind’s art group got a taste for the writer’s life in a recent session, introducing them to creative writing and journaling.

Mind member, Martin, wrote these beautiful pieces during this session:

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Running

Run they said run well I’m running, I want to stop but I dare not, but why? Do I follow the others or risk stopping?

Why can’t someone tell me what to do, I can’t make a decision, bugger I’ve fallen over, Oh we were running from a small spider.

Why did I follow the crowd, now I’m laying here with a broken leg, if only I could make my own choices.

By Martin

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Smells or fragrance

Smells or fragrances can conjure up all sorts of memories, i.e. Xmas smells, bread baking, the smell of the seaside, or the meadow, or the forest.

Next time try to find a scent that could remind you of a great day you have had.

Maybe the smell of the salty air at the seaside, fish and chips and Candyfloss at the fair, fresh cut grass or the smell of the Meadow. Use these smells to remind you of a pleasant time you have had.

By Martin

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Recipe for a good mood

1x a supportive Mind Staff Member.

1x a nice guy Mike.

A mix of mind members old and new.

A mini bus.

A great destination, i.e. the white cliffs.

1x a nice girl called Grace.

                         Method –

Fill the mini bus with the mixed mind members.

Add in South Kent Mind, also Mike to drive the bus.

Drive to the White Cliffs while noticing the Anxiety in the new members being ebbed away by the more experienced members, and the words from the Mind Staff Member and Mike, adding to the stress and Anxiety fading away.

Meet Grace at the White Cliffs and add her to the mix.

Have a great day guided by Grace, South Kent Mind and Mike.

Return to the bus for the trip home, with the mix now fermenting into a bus full of new friendships and excitement about the day that has been had.

Hopefully this will serve as a feast of good mood now and in the future.

By Martin

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Thank you for sharing these wonderful pieces with us, Martin!

Want to get creative with us?

If you’re already a Mind member you can join our creative writing group by emailing contact@southkentmind.org.uk or phoning 01303 250090.

You can self-refer to South Kent Mind if you’re experiencing or have experienced mental health problems and you live in the Folkestone or Dover districts.

Once you’ve completed your referral, you’ll be able to join in on activities! You can view our activities calendar here.

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Looking to give back? 

If you’d like to donate towards better mental health please visit our donate page here