Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing through writing with Rachel Neumann’s inspiring approach to journaling. In this preview session, Rachel guides us through the first steps of “Writing Your Way Home,” a course designed to help you connect deeply with yourself and others through the power of mindful writing. Whether you are an experienced writer or just starting out, this session offers invaluable insights and practical exercises to nurture your creativity and emotional well-being.
Gathering as Artists: The Heart of Writing
Rachel begins by inviting participants into a shared creative space, quoting a beautiful poem by Alberto Rios titled On Gathering Artists. The poem captures the essence of the writer’s journey:
Since I am, this is a gathering of artists.
We are cobblers of the song and barkers of the carnival word.
We are tailor of the light and framers of the earth.
We fish among the elements and hunt the elusive green in gray and blue.
We drink forbidden waters and eat invisible food.
In this time of email and faint conversation, we send as our voice the poem, the bridge, the circuit, the cure,
whose electricity is made from dreams, whose song is sung in the colors yet unnamed,
drawn from the solitudes of the soul and given up in tender to the world.
This evocative imagery reminds us that writing is not merely a solitary act but a courageous exploration — fishing for elusive truths and crafting language that bridges inner worlds with the outer world. Rachel emphasizes that as writers, we are artists who bring light to hidden places and give voice to the unspoken.
The Power of Presence: Meditation and Intention Setting
To center the group and prepare for writing, Rachel leads a brief two-minute meditation to arrive fully in the present moment. She highlights the uniqueness of this gathering — a moment and group that have never existed before — encouraging participants to set aside distractions and be fully present.
Following this, each participant shares a succinct sentence beginning with “I am here to…” to clarify their personal intention for writing. These intentions range from writing in community, deepening self-connection, to revisiting and nurturing creativity. Rachel encourages everyone to keep their intention visible during the course as a compass to guide their practice.
Guidelines for a Safe and Nourishing Writing Space
Rachel outlines essential guidelines that create a supportive environment for writing and sharing:
- Listen deeply: First to yourself while writing, then to others without judgment.
- Be honest: Writing is for yourself first; no one else has to read it unless you choose to share. Honesty over polish is the goal.
- Keep writing: Regardless of prompts or distractions, keep your pen moving to deepen your connection with your inner voice.
- Safe sharing: When sharing writing, participants respond by echoing phrases that resonate rather than critiquing or questioning.
- Respect privacy: No direct messaging or off-class commentary to maintain a safe container.
These guidelines foster a unique alchemy of creativity, vulnerability, and community that supports healing through narrative. Rachel explains how writing with others magnifies intentions exponentially, breaking the myth of the solitary writer.
Writing as Practice: The Invitation to Write Anywhere, Anytime
Rachel encourages participants to carry a notebook always and to write in “pocket moments” — those in-between times like waiting on hold, during computer loading, or while sipping coffee. This approach demystifies writing as an art reserved for special moments and instead frames it as a daily practice, accessible and healing.
Drawing on an analogy from a marathon runner friend, Rachel compares writing practice to small bursts of exercise — you don’t need a perfect schedule or long sessions, just consistent engagement. This mindset shift encourages writers to embrace imperfection and show up daily.
Warm-Up Writing Prompt: “I Came Home”
To begin the writing process, Rachel offers a five-minute warm-up prompt inspired by a poignant poem called Going Home by Polish poet Vislava Jimska. The poem speaks of returning home and retreating into a protective space, setting a tone for writing that is grounded in a concrete moment:
He came home said nothing. It was clear though that something had gone wrong.
He lay down fully dressed, pulled the blanket over his head, tucked up his knees.
He’s nearly 40, but not at the moment.
He exists just as he did inside his mother’s womb, clad in seven walls of skin in sheltered darkness.
Participants are invited to start their writing with “I came home” and explore whatever unfolds from that moment — whether it’s themselves or a fictional character. Rachel stresses the importance of starting with a moment in real time, as writing is strongest when anchored in lived experience.
Deepening Inquiry: Writing from a Question
For the main writing exercise, Rachel introduces a 20-minute prompt centered on answering a question — because all writing is a response to a question. She shares a brief poem by Rupi Kaur that distills this idea:
How is it so easy for you to be kind to people? He asked.
Milk and honey dripped from my lips as I answered.
because people have not been kind to me.
Participants are encouraged to think of a question they have been asked or wish they had been asked — something deep or even silly — and write their answer, returning to the question whenever they feel stuck. Rachel explains that this process helps unearth layers of meaning, and it’s okay to pivot to new questions as the writing evolves.
Sharing and Listening: The Healing Power of Being Seen
After writing, participants share brief excerpts if they feel comfortable. Rachel invites the group to listen without critique, sharing only phrases or lines that resonated. This exercise emphasizes the vital healing elements of being truly seen and heard without judgment.
Examples of shared writing reveal raw and profound emotions — from grappling with self-hatred to questioning human connection. One participant reflects, “Am I so wary of human connection that I’d rather not engage at all? Would rather stand in the corner observing… where I’m safe from what I don’t know, and that’s what scares me.”
Another shares a heart-wrenching passage about locking a child in her room and the complexities of motherhood, highlighting the honesty and vulnerability this space cultivates.
Writing Beyond the Self: Characters and Narrative Freedom
Rachel reassures participants that writing from a character’s perspective — even if it’s not their own experience — is a valid and powerful form of storytelling and healing. The “U” in the writing can be a character, a fictional persona, or a version of self. What matters is the truthfulness of the writing and the process of discovery.
One participant reads from the perspective of a child hiding the truth from their mother, capturing the tension and care woven into family dynamics:
I came home and took off and shed the weight of the imperfect perfect customers
and put on the jacket of lies about school.
Mom doesn’t know I stopped going, so I carry my backpack out every day.
I can see she is getting more tired, too. Purpling half plums under her eyes,
a slight curve at the top of her back. I don’t know how else to help us,
and I need to find dad.
Commitment to Practice: Writing as a Lifelong Journey
Rachel closes the session by encouraging everyone to commit to regular writing between classes. She suggests setting alarms, writing in the morning or at night, and taking advantage of small moments throughout the day. The goal is to cultivate writing as a habit — a practice that nurtures creativity, healing, and self-awareness.
She reminds writers that writing is not about producing masterpieces but about putting words on the page, whether a single word repeated or a full sentence. This exercise in bravery and honesty is the foundation for growth.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Home Through Writing
“Writing Your Way Home” offers a gentle yet powerful invitation to connect with yourself and others through the art of journaling. Rachel Neumann’s approach honors the messy, beautiful process of writing — the moments of hesitation, discovery, and deep listening. By creating a compassionate community and providing thoughtful prompts, this course guides you in uncovering your own narrative and healing through words.
Whether you write for clarity, creativity, healing, or simply to be heard, this journey reminds us that writing is a sacred act of coming home — to ourselves, to our stories, and to the shared human experience.
As Rachel beautifully puts it, “We are not solitary artists. We fish among the elements and hunt the elusive green and gray and blue together.”
Ready to begin your own writing journey? Grab a notebook, find your quiet corner, and write your way home.
