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Writing for Wellbeing

Mar25

This Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal, ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ feature is written by Siobhán Mc Laughlin. Siobhán is a poet and writer from Donegal, she has a MA in creative writing and is a creative writing facilitator who has been facilitating writing for wellbeing courses with women for WCI-Donegal this year. In this feature she reflects on the benefits of writing for wellbeing, talking about her own experience of writing and what she has discovered along the way

Writing for Wellbeing is a relatively new practice in the wellness field, but as anyone who writes knows, writing has always had therapeutic benefits. It’s just now they are being recognised.

If you’ve kept a diary at any stage in your life, you will be very familiar with this. A diary during those teenage angst years was a great way to vent all your turbulent feelings, from daily dramas to heartbreak crushes. Those pages of gushing would provide comfort and consolation, a listening ear, a way of uncorking all those bottled-up emotions. (And there was a reason why they used to come with a lock and key!)

Writing is a way to clarify thoughts, to unravel the jumble of them into clear concise visible ideas. Do you keep a to-do list? The power of such a simple thing to keep your head clear of worrying about things is very evident. When it’s written down, it’s out of your head and onto the paper. Like a magic spell, the words hold it there; it is no longer your mind’s job to do so. It can let go and relax.

To write something – to put your thoughts into words and onto paper – provides you with the space to listen to your own voice. Your real voice. Your inner voice. The one that is so often quieted, by other louder insistent voices in your life. To put pen to paper is to silence those other voices and like turning a radio dial, to tune into yourself again. Journalling is keeping a record of the story of your life, as told by you. And stories help make sense of things.

I’ve been writing since I was a child. Diary writing, story writing, letter writing, poems, blogs.  I loved the escapism of creative writing and later, the hyper-realism: how you can lose yourself in writing and simultaneously, find yourself there. Writing helps me work things out. It dissects emotions and feelings under the light of attention. It helps me unravel knots of thoughts and find out what I really am thinking/feeling. I would be lost without it.

I kept a diary/journal into my twenties and into it poured all my worries and wonderings, rantings and musings.  It was a catalogue of growing up, a space for reflection, and with reflection comes self-knowledge. It was where I examined with each word and sentence what exactly was going on in my life and what my responses to it were. It was a way to commune with my true self. When writing about things, I felt like I was making them ‘right.’ Telling myself the story of my life was a way to appreciate it as such and to look at it from a more knowledgeable perspective. Looking back on that time I can really say it was an invaluable practice.

Writing is a great way to express feelings. To get them ‘off your chest’ and out onto the page. There’s a great word for this from Greek called ‘catharsis’ – the act of releasing pent-up or repressed emotions. When you write about these feelings, they leave you. They are expressed. This is essential to our wellbeing. Therapists recommend it all the time. To write about how you are feeling acknowledges the feeling and puts you at a distance from it. In writing about it, you can translate and transform it, until you gain a sense of peace and move on from it.

Poetry is an excellent way of doing this.  Poetry allows us to decode emotions, explaining them to ourselves through its tools of symbolism, metaphor, imagery.  If I can contain an emotion within a poem, then it is stored somewhere else other than my psyche. The power of poetry to translate emotions is incomparable, I think. It is: ‘when an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found words’ (to quote Robert Frost). I always think of emotions as these vaporous, glowing entities, hard to grasp as they slip and shimmy about us. But poetry helps solidify them, catch them with a net and shine a light on them. What is this thing and how am I experiencing it and what does it have to teach me? Writing a poem is a journey and always at the end of it, there is understanding to be found, which offers the greatest sense of wellbeing. It’s my go-to method of dealing with strong emotions.

Did you know that writing about positive experiences for as little as 15 minutes three times a week can significantly boost feelings of wellbeing and reduce stress and anxiety? You can write a daily diary entry, or a journal topic or perhaps some little scribbled notes of a poem or an idea for a story. Or gratitude journalling – just jotting down three things you are grateful for at the end of every day. Within a year you will have hundreds of little footnotes of joy. Things we may forget completely if they are not immortalised in words. Writing gives power to things. You are creating a world for yourself with words. A better world that will improve your mindset.

Writing is also an exercise in mindfulness. As I type this article I am lulled by the rhythmic tapping of keys and the timbre of thoughts. It is the same when you handwrite something, the pen carries you along in the moment. The blank page quietens the mind. It focuses you on the moment, on each word as it comes. Writing attunes us to the present moment and keeps our minds from wandering.

I really began to think about the wellbeing aspects of writing during Covid. During the lockdown I set up a Facebook group for friends and writers I knew to come together where we could share daily writing as a way of easing the stress of the time. Something quick and easy, like haiku. A haiku is a short three-line nature-based poem, rooted in paying attention to the present moment. From all over the world, members would post in their daily offerings of haiku, usually more than one in the day. We were suddenly, collectively, paying attention to moments of peace and beauty in our lives, despite the strange, unsettling time we were living in, and these little moments became so important to us. They were a comfort, a calm, a nucleus of loveliness. Three little lines of uplifting observation. The group is still going today. We haven’t been able to give it up! Just spending a few minutes in the day to scribble a couple of lines lifts the spirits so much and shifts mood. This is the power of writing.

In 2022-2023 I facilitated a weekly series of Writing for Wellbeing workshops at Foyle New Horizons: Action Mental Health in Derry. I got to meet so many wonderful people there who were so open to the benefits of writing in their wellness journey. I facilitate a lot of writing classes and workshops, but I find Writing for Wellbeing ones really inspiring. I welcome every chance to facilitate them and share the benefits of writing with people and have been lucky to do so in the past few years with groups like Insight Inishowen to promote positive mental health. People tend to open up and share their innermost thoughts and feelings with each other in these workshops which is truly inspiring. All of the creative arts are so beneficial for wellbeing, but writing in particular is quite a powerful one in bringing us face to face with a better understanding of ourselves and of the human condition.

It makes me sad to think that some people may have a resistance to writing because of things like grammar and a feeling that they would not be able for it. There is no right and wrong when it comes to writing. It is not a test. You write what you want to write. What calls your heart. In whatever form it may be. Don’t be put off by things like grammar and rules. Break the rules! Poetry doesn’t have to rhyme! Journal entries don’t have to be pages long! Don’t tell yourself you have nothing to write about. We all have our own stories. Don’t silence them. Writing, unlike some of the other creative arts, costs nothing in terms of material needs. All you need is a pen and paper. You do not need an easel to begin or a set of fancy pens or a predisposed talent. Just begin with scribbles. See where they take you.

Writing will surprise you. That is a guarantee. Every time you put pen to paper, you are led on a journey. You will discover reservoirs of insight and wisdom you didn’t know you had; a lot of writing feels like you are taking ‘dictation’ – listening to some other source, and not writing it yourself. Any writer will tell you this is the best part of writing. Like free-falling. The part when we transcend our blocks and critical hang-ups and tune in to our authentic, wise, and inner selves. And it just flows.  

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way said that ‘writing is medicine.’ It makes us better. It cures us of our ailments. It is a companion to life’s changes. It is certainly all that. And a welcome addition to the world of wellbeing.

Siobhán’s poems have been published in numerous publications including The Honest Ulsterman, The Ekphrastic Review, Drawn to the Light Press, The Poetry Village and more. She featured on Donegal Daily’s We are the Poets Series 2020 and Eat the Storms, TER and Absolute Writers Podcasts. She volunteers with mental health charity Insight Inishowen.

She blogs at www.a-blog-of-ones-own.blogspot.com and www.a-poem-a-day-project.blogspot.com

WCI-Donegal are always looking for women to share their stories and looking for women to write features on topics of their choice which we will profile as part of our Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series.

Let’s Celebrate Women Farmers in Donegal

Oct15

This feature is a Women’s Collective Ireland- Donegal, ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ feature. Written in celebration of Rural Women’s Day to raise awareness to the role Donegal Women play in agriculture and rural development. With an inspiring afternoon at The Milk Bar with its founder Shannon Porter

Did you know Sunday 15th October 2023 marks International Day of Rural Women? The day was first observed in 2008 to recognises the role of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

It was suggested that October 15 be celebrated as “World Rural Women’s Day,” which is the eve of World Food Day, to highlight rural women’s role in food production and food security. “World Rural Women’s Day” was previously celebrated across the world for more than a decade before it was officially a UN observance. The theme for this day is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”, which highlights the essential role rural women play in the food system.

At Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal we felt it was important that we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution and successes of the women working in agriculture and rural development locally here in Donegal. During the summer WCI-Donegal development worker Rhona Hannigan took a trip to the Milk Bar to interview Donegal local farmer and the Milk Bar founder Shannon Porter to see the great work she is doing in Dairy farming and the business she has created.

The Milk Bar opened its doors on the 24th of September 2021, an innovative concept of local girl Shannon Porter. Shannon grew up on the family dairy farm in Lusticle, Carrigans in the North West of Donegal. Chatting with Shannon it is evident that she is passionate about dairy farming, she has managed to turn her passion into a thriving business that is going from strength to strength. The Milk Bar is situated on the family farm and uses the freshest milk that is pasteurised on site, but it is not homogenised, leaving the creamy layer on top.

Shannon’s passion for the agriculture sector developed from growing up on a large farm, both her parents come from a farming background and passed on their skills for sustainable farming with an innovative approach. The family business dates back to the 50’s and 60’s when Shannon’s great grandfather Jack and great grandmother Henrietta Porter started to provide milk to the village, known as Millburn Dairies. In those days you collected the milk at the dwelling house in a tin can. Later the milk was delivered in glass bottles to your doorstep. Over time the glass bottles were replaced by milk cartoons and plastic containers. ‘The Milk Bar’ has reverted back to glass bottles with sustainability at the forefront, reducing the use of plastic. Shannon got the idea when she studied Agricultural Science at university, graduating with a BSc Honors Degree in Agriculture from Harper Adams University. She set up the business during covid which was risky, but it proved successful because of the self service vending machines. The milk itself is beautiful, fresh and a novel idea that promotes local produce.

Shannon choose a general agriculture course that covered all areas of agriculture from livestock, crops, business, environment and sustainable farming. While studying Shannon worked on dairy farms of varying sizes to support her studies and to expand her knowledge of the sector. Getting experience from the farm at home, to working in the UK and New Zealand, developing practical farming skills in all areas of agriculture. Shannon’s talents were recognised at University when she was a finalist for the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers Dairy Student Award 2021. She was runner up in 2022 in the Food Coast Donegal Awards and a finalist in Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards in 2023 for her milk and ice-cream. A growing number of local businesses are selling and using the milk now. Its freshness and creaminess makes a hugh difference when making frothy coffees Shannon mentioned.

The farm produces around 6ooo litres per year, most of which is sold to creameries, the milk is collected every two days, processed and then sold to consumers. It is worth noting that the milk in the Milk Bar is straight from the farm, pasteurised on the farm, as fresh as you can get. As a businesswomen profit is important but animal welfare also features highly. With Shannon at the helm I have no doubt the business will continue to thrive and diversify.

Farming is not a traditional route for women, increasingly gender balance is being achieved in most sectors, however, in Ireland only 13% of farms are owned by women. A situation contributed to the fact that men in Ireland significantly outnumbered women as the holders of family farms. In 2016, male ownership stood at 88.3% compared with 11.7% female ownership. This can be attributed to a myriad of social, cultural, legal and financial reasons for the low rate of female farm ownership.

But change is happening and the innovation and vision of young women like Shannon, provides an example to other women who may want to create a future in farming. Women in farming has been an area we have highlighted before, in 2021 as part of our Donegal femLENS exhibition, we feature two thought provoking documentary photography projects which focused on women in farming, you can view these projects here “Focus on Female Farmers” and “The Farm Hers”.

Women’s collective Ireland-Donegal would like to thank Shannon for inviting Women’s Collective Donegal up to the farm and taking the time to show Rhona around and take part in the women’s lives, women’s voices series. Shannon is a role model for young women in Donegal and beyond. We would also like to thank femLENS participant Maud McClean, who volunteered her time and budding photography skills to take pictures for this rural women’s day feature.

We are always looking for women to share their stories and looking for women to write features on topics of their choice which we will profile as part of our Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series. If you would like to get involved please drop us an email at donegal@womenscollective.ie

Women in the Home

Jul13

This feature is part of the ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series. A reflective and powerful poem by Lorraine Doherty a former 2022 WITH (Women in the Home, New Beginnings) course participant.

Women in the home

No time for your phone.

So much to do,

No peace to go to the loo.

Nursing, chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning

Trying to stop the kids kicking and screaming.

Always in demand

Could do with an extra hand.

When you feel like you are going to

Blow your top

Remember to breathe, and then

You will stop.

Life can be tough

But it’s okay to say no

When You’ve had enough.

It’s important to enjoy

Having the craic

And remember your friends

Will always have your back.

By Lorraine Doherty

Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal ( formally NCCWN Donegal Women’s Network) have been offering the WITH course to women in Donegal for over 4 years through the funding support of DLDC under the SICAP programme. The aim of this 8 week course is to support women in life-long learning opportunities. Promoting personal development, well-being and positive mental health.

The course is facilitated by Personal Development Coach & Speaker Emily Whelan. The course is designed with the view “It is important for women to feel valued, to recognise the transferable skills they already possess, and to realise their potential. When we believe in ourselves anything is possible.”

This course will be running again in September in Pettigo, starting Monday 19th September, 10am-1pm in the Termon Complex. If you are interested in participating in this programme please fill in our form here and we will get in contact with you.

Women’s Collective Ireland- Donegal are always looking for women to share their stories and looking for women to write features on topics of their choice which we will profile as part of our Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series.

Donegal Day Out

Jun23

This feature is part of the ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series. Written by Elena Tabandzhova, founder of Donegal Day Out website and Facebook group

My name is Elena T.

I’m originally from Bulgaria, a mother of three children, and a web designer in our family web design agency. We came to Ireland in 2017, and since then, we have been happy to live in Letterkenny.

When we arrived in Donegal, the curiosity about the county was immeasurable. We had to know where we live and what our new homeland looks like. Also, our move to Ireland was supposed to bring lifestyle changes – a more active life, more outdoor experience, nature education for my children.

The problem is that it is a bit hard to force ourselves to go out of the house. All the things that are waiting to be done – laundry, dusting, cooking are waiting for us, and I feel if I don’t do them soon, the whole household will collapse on my shoulders. Also, it is hard to go out in the rain and wind instead of enjoying the comfort of the home and your favourite show. Lastly, going out with children could be a bit of hell. So much food to prepare, so many clothes to take, and someone is always unhappy.

But in the end, I didn’t want to watch cool places on Facebook; I wanted to experience them!
So we made a short trip to Woodquarter in Mulroy Bay and liked it. It was so rechargeable to our minds, and our little boy was so happy. Then we decided to do something more significant – to visit all 39 Wild Atlantic Way discovering points in Donegal. We planned it for two days in the Easter break, but it was so amazing, and there were so many things to see, so we couldn’t do even half of what we wanted.

After those two days on the road around Donegal, we started to go out every weekend to find new places to visit. Slowly being out and about becomes an essential part of our weekly routine, as important as the morning tea.

And the need for Donegal Day Out came up.

When we travelled on the Wild Atlantic way, we had a hard time finding the correct locations of some of the stops. Also, there was not much information about many of the places we visited. So I started to collect information for myself – to easily plan family trips for days out in Donegal. Then I thought I could share it with others who may find it helpful. It could help people improve their lifestyle – outside the house, the shops, the noise, and the commercial world.

So when we started our family website business, one of the first sites I created was www.donegaldayout.ie It had to be an easy-to-use, well-organised, complete informative online guide for outdoor experience planning in Donegal. And at last, it had to give the users a bit of rest from all the advertising and commerciality that surround us from everywhere.

When an idea meets creators and how “I” became “We.”

Soon after I created the first pages, a very close friend, Dalia Taftazani, hugged the idea with her heart, and we became a team. She is a great photographer and loves outdoor adventures and exploring Donegal.

When the project grew up and became more significant, the third team member came to take care of it – Sonya Pepelyashkova. She is a business consultant and our project manager who works with us to develop Donegal Day Out into the most used online guide to planning a day out in Donegal.

It took time to settle up and find our place as a team, but slowly we got there, and now the project benefits a lot from our different personalities and skills.

Today Donegal Day Out has a spirit.

Today Donegal Day Out is an online guide with more than 120 places in 11 different categories. We add more every month and improve the guide by seeing the user’s needs. And it is lovely to see how it already works and has hundreds of users every month.
https://www.donegaldayout.ie/

Our Facebook community has grown up, and for about a year, the group has over 3,400 members. In this group, everyone can inspire others with a great place to go or get inspired for a day out in Donegal, so don’t miss joining and inviting your friends.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/487215939072024

We keep our followers on the Facebook page informed of what is new in the guide and how it is improved.
https://www.facebook.com/donegaldayout

You can also enjoy our beautiful pictures from Donegal on our Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/donegaldayout.ie/

If you feel the same about Donegal’s nature and the significance of the outdoor experience, then Donegal Day Out is an excellent place for you. And if you like the idea – please help us spread the word and get more people to have an active, mindful, and happier day out in Donegal.

Women’s Collective Ireland- Donegal are always looking for women to share their stories and looking for women to write features on topics of their choice which we will profile as part of our Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series.