YESTERDAY, TOMORROW, TODAY

Journalling after pregnancy loss

Creativity is one of the tools i use for making sense of my world. In particular the practice of writing. Leading up to and during Pregnancy Loss Awareness Week I am running this project to invite others who have experienced pregnancy loss to try some of the techniques and perhaps share the outcome with others, here.

Home: Welcome

IN BRIEF

Learn techniques for journalling and writing
Access visualisations to prepare you and get your juices flowing
Share your writing with others here on the website (this can be anonymously if you wish)
Read other peoples responses in our journal gallery

Please read the information on Self Care

Home: Who We Are

WHY IS IT USEFUL?

I’m fascinated by cycles. I’m interested in the ebb and flow of life and the way we repeat and relearn and reveal. I used to find it agonising to go back and tread paths I felt I had already walked down. To have that "ah ha” moment or that sensation of peace or letting go, only to find that you are still gripping tightly again. However, in these moments, when we do revisit, there is deeper knowledge for us to excavate. Now upon returning I look to see what has changed and question the revelations of the past visits, set search for current authenticity and meaning.
Journalling has always been a part of my process, even before I knew that that was what I was doing. Releasing words, thoughts and questions onto a page, secure and private but out.. out in the world.. made real, given a voice, witnessed… if only by me, the page and the pencil.
Over time and the odd occasion discovering something scrawled on the back of an envelope, a page stuffed in a book or on the back of a receipt. I started to see that in all of it there was a process at play. Whether I was getting something off my chest, asking questions, or simply playing, something was happening to me, my story and my well-being. I began to see writing as a diagnostic tool and as a method for curing ailments of the pysche.

Home: What We Do

CREATIVITY, WELL-BEING & SELF CARE

A bit more information

TRANSCENDANCE

Visualisations and soul food

EXERCISES AND TASK

How to take part

WHY THIS PROJECT?

In October 2017 I was invited to become an external advisor for Theatre Re and their production of BIRTH. The production, just in it’s early stages at the time had begun to explore themes of pregnancy and loss. At the time I was running a Community Interest Company called Anyone Everymum we worked with pregnant women and families, running creative and therapeutical sessions. Myself and my Partner Lisa Harmer ran two workshops with Theatre Re and I continued to have conversations with the company during and beyond it’s premier performances.
I had also been running a project on early pregnancy loss called The Silent Trimester which questions the silence surrounding the first three months of pregnancy.
At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year I supported audience members of BIRTH and collected responses and “Wellbeing Promises" on a large Tablecloth outside the venue, you can see some images here.
One of the other organisations that has been involved in BIRTH is the Charity Aching Arms who work to support bereaved parents after pregnancy loss. Anyone affected by themes discussed here can go to them for support and information.
On October 15th Theatre Re will be hosting a discussion on The exploration of trauma in contemporary theatre-making. Myself and Aching arms will be included in the panel. Please go here for more information.