Writing exercises to sort through personal issues?

July 22, 2017 1:49 PM

I need some kind of writing framework to help sort through my personal issues. I have been working through the 12 steps, but I feel like I want to pursue something a little less higher power oriented. Are there similar things to the 12 steps that may help guide me along a path to working out some of my bullshit? Therapy is one thing, but I feel like stuff sticks better if I write.
posted by nurgle to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

This might interest you - an individual's explanation of rewriting the 12 steps in a way that works for an atheist.

Here's a post on alternatives to 12-step groups.

Good luck!
posted by bunderful at 2:25 PM on July 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

The New Diary, by Tristine Rainer, was a tremendous help to me.

I should revisit it; thank you for the prod!
posted by jgirl at 2:52 PM on July 22, 2017 [2 favorites]

The book: "feeling good" and "reinventing your life" have good exercises that serve as great writing prompts for this kind of work.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:16 PM on July 22, 2017

I do a version of Morning Pages with Natalie Goldberg's Rules for Writing Practice in mind. Goldberg's book, Writing Down the Bones changed my life.

Morning Pages for me are a lot like meditation. Julia Cameron says you can only write the same shit over and over again so many times before you decide to do something about it.
posted by Brittanie at 5:03 PM on July 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

Kathleen Adams has written several workbooks for therapeutic journaling. They are highly regarded in the therapeutic profession. There are some other ones that look good too - just look up therapy journaling healing on Amazon.
posted by rglass at 6:35 PM on July 22, 2017

There is Progoff Journaling.
posted by falsedmitri at 6:43 PM on July 22, 2017

Self Authoring has supposedly reduced levels of college dropout with those groups who have used it. Read reviews and look for discount codes, it could help.
posted by therubettes at 1:22 AM on July 23, 2017 [2 favorites]

I have heard good things about The Work by Byron Katie. The worksheets are free to download on her website.
posted by fluffymag at 1:20 PM on July 24, 2017

I saw How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything recommended here on AskMe. I've got it checked out from the library and so far I think it's got some good stuff.
posted by kristi at 10:49 PM on July 25, 2017