Process as a form of self-expression (or, reflections on structuring my writing practice around play)

It’s been 1 year since I first hosted Writing Playground, and as I prepare to welcome a new batch of fellow writers into this space, I’ve been reflecting on what play as practice has meant for me over the course of that year.

Part of this reflection means thinking about how play does and doesn’t show up in my own work: And what I’ve found is that by intentionally centering a playful mindset in my creative practice, I find it easier to step away when I am drained, and to recalibrate and refocus (and return to enjoying my writing) when I still want to keep going.

I’ve also found that when I’m feeling drained or frustrated is also when I’m least likely to actually adopt the practices I need most in that moment, which is why having those practices as habits is so important.

Part of this has to do with building more fun into my practice, and doing so regularly: Tangible things like movement and ritual are good examples.

But it also has to do with mindset shifts: Letting myself relate my writing practice to other things I find playful (e.g. repeatedly teaching myself that writing time is as fun as gardening). That makes the burnout less, the rewards greater, and the writing better, but it also helps me write in a way that’s more true to myself because the cost of doing so feels lower stakes (and again, more fun).

Process as a form of self-expression

One thing I’ve been thinking about, and I talk about a lot too, is how centering process alongside progress not only helps writing go more smoothly, but also changes our relationship to the writing itself.

Letting myself be delighted and amazed by the process of turning my ideas into a tangible thing, by watching those ideas unfold in their own time, and reveling in questions as much as answers, takes off so much pressure to perform (and helps me ‘perform’ better, honestly, though I keep that truth on the back burner so I don’t hyperfixate on word count).

But it also allows for a certain honesty, because I’m an intentional, present participant within my work’s own unfolding: Rather than just drafting words and hitting ‘submit,’ I experience writing more as watching, and helping, another being come to life.

In experiencing writing in this way, I’m asked to be honest about what I do and don’t know in a given moment (or what I have left to learn in order to finish that work), as well as where the lines are between me and my identity, and the work and its role in the world.

I find, for me, I’m better able to distinguish where and how to share my voice, and to share it more honestly, by leaning into process and really weaving in a lot of joy.

And, as a result, I’m able to write honest, thoughtful work (like this newsletter) with my focus firmly fixed on the work, and my relationship to it, rather than all the other expectations and social norms and judgments that are buzzing around me and it at any given moment.

Writing Playground: A New Kind of Writing Workshop

Writing in our own, true voices is one of the most powerful gifts any of us can give to the world.

Writing from a place of curiosity, alongside other curious folks, helps us create the actual “time in the calendar” space to write. It also helps each of our creative practices grow, as we learn from each other’s perspectives and practices, and collectively enjoy the nourishment of creating new work alongside other people.

By focusing on process, rather than outcome, we can appreciate the magic that writing truly is: When we write, we put our internal world into a tangible form that other people can experience.

And, by letting our writing flow from a place of enjoyment, we can more easily share the rich, world-changing, beautiful ideas we most want to put out into our communities.

This August, I am so, so thrilled and proud to bring everything I’ve learned about joyful, curious writing to you.

Writing Playground is a creative and non-judgmental space to connect with writing as a playful, joyful, and curious practice.
I’ve created it to serve writers at all levels, professional and nonprofessional alike.

For four Sundays in August, from 11-1 Eastern time, we’ll join together to write, reflect, and collectively expand our practices into something both nourishing and productive.

Each session looks like this:

• We open up be celebrating what’s going well in our writing this week: Big or small, everything we accomplished, and everything we’re proud of, has a place at this table

• Next, two brief freewriting sessions around a variety of playful prompts

• Followed by reflections on our writing practices and writing voices (with no pressure to share your drafts, but you’re welcome to if you wish!)

• For the second half of our session, we go over practical nuts-and-bolts guidance for building a consistent writing practice, which allows your creativity to take the space in your life it deserves.

• And finally, we set intentions for our writing week before heading back out into the world

Writing Playground also offers:

• lifetime resource library access

• a dedicated Slack channel with 1:1 support and encouragement from me every weekday

• gifts, like a free Mycelia co-writing membership, or free intuitive guidance and private coaching sessions, just for showing up consistently.

Between our writing sessions, we’ll share ideas, troubleshoot, brainstorm and, most importantly, celebrate our wins.

You’ll leave with 8 new rough drafts, a wealth of practical and inspirational writing resources, recording of our sessions, and strong foundations for a sustainable, productive, and joyful writing practice.

Writing Playground is currently in early pricing, and if you’re feeling the call to:

• weave some fun, pleasure, and play into your writing time

• or if you’re already tapped into a pleasurable, fun, creative life but want to go deeper

• or if you just want to take the pressure off yourself every time you sit down to create…

…then I hope you’ll join us.

Use the code PLEASURE for an extra 40% off early pricing (which ends soon, by the way, so now is the most affordable time to sign up, as well as the best time because you’ll get a spot before the workshop sells out like it did last time).

So here’s my ask for you, whether or not you join me for Writing Playground:

This week, try writing just for the pleasure of it.

Spend even just a few minutes freewriting around whatever topic tickles your fancy at the moment, without worrying whether that writing can be used for anything else or if it’s “good enough” to share.

Instead, just give yourself permission to write about the thing you want to write about, because you want to write it.

And if you feel called to do so, I hope you’ll join us this August in our very own Writing Playground.