How journaling helps Gigi Hadid and Simone Biles manage anxiety, and how it could help you
Simone Biles keeps a ‘worry journal’, Gigi Hadid a ‘bad journal’, to ease anxiety. Journaling can help put life’s challenges in perspective
Like many people, Singaporean Enchen Quek faced mental health challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was getting professional help at the time, but when she came across a programme called Re:Story on Instagram, she signed up for a workshop out of curiosity.
Re:Story uses expressive writing and narrative therapy – a way of empowering people to explore and reshape their life stories, particularly those overwhelmed by challenges and emotional distress.
This helps participants who are dealing with anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges develop resilience and self-care skills and deepen their connection with themselves.
Singapore charity The Tapestry Project SG runs this programme, one of several that enables mental health education through “person-first” stories. It was developed with input from psychologists, educators and social workers.
The workshop also gives participants a safe space to share the stories they have written with one another, if they choose.
Taking part gave Quek a new perspective on life, her problems and the way she saw herself. The workshops are designed to help participants focus on themselves instead of what they may be lacking or need to improve on, she says. They are prompted to think about how to help themselves.
