Journaling workshop with 1st year medical students

Elle Tallgren, a 4th year medical student, led a journalling based workshop for Creative Enquiry SSC 1st years in March. The session began with a question of how often do the students journal, 50% answered ‘never’. This meant that there was perhaps a big opportunity for introducing this habit of reflection and shadow work. Elle shared her lived experience of having a rough start to medical school, and how discovering ‘flourishing’ an antidote to the experiences of burnout altered the course of her academic life. Since then she has found peace in daily journaling, which she has now done for more than two years. The image below shows the journals she filled during one of those years: 

Towards the end of the session, after also introducing the research which contributes to the evidence of journaling for wellbeing, Elle invited the students to try out some of her fountain pens and noting down their thoughts as honestly as they can on paper. Through the session there were opportunities to discuss arising thoughts and feelings in small groups, as well as share with the larger group as well. 

It was a delight to hear how the students responded to the writing exercise, and how bravely they shared how this shaped the way they see journaling. Some responses for feedback are noted in the image below:

Thank you to all students who showed and made this session a flourishing space.