Writing with the Season’s Light
Honor the fading light and create a sanctuary for the darker days ahead
Dear Friend,
People make time for expressive writing for many different reasons.
I’ve learned about some of them from the amazing folks in my writing circles: I write for self-discovery. I write to release emotions and cope with stress. I write to connect with ancestors. I write because it’s fun. I write for the sheer pleasure of writing.
Each of us has a unique answer (pssst…I’d love to hear yours).
Different from why we write, I’m also curious about where you write.
Do you have a dedicated space—an office, a cozy corner, a favorite café? Do you like to write outdoors with your journal, or tucked away in your bedroom with the door closed?
Not all of us have a space of our own where we can close a door (hand raised!), but once we notice where we feel most inspired, we can seek out those places—inside or outside our homes.
Before the pandemic, I didn’t give much thought to where I wrote. But when my family had to navigate work, school, and everything else in one space, I began waking up early to write. In the quiet dark of morning, lighting a candle and playing music that helps me enter creative flow, my living room became something else entirely—a sanctuary.
As we move deeper into November, I’ve been embracing the shifting light—watching the sunrise from my window and walking my dog at sunset. Lately, I’ve been tossing my journal into my bag and heading to the park for short bursts of writing. Sitting among the trees turning red-gold-orange, I feel as though I’m inside an autumn painting. That experience opens another creative doorway.
As we approach the Winter Solstice, one way we can prepare for the darker season is to find and claim the places where we can remove distractions and find inspiration—even for short periods of time. Let’s ask for comfort, too—I can’t write for long if my tush isn’t happy. (TMI?)
Today’s prompt will help you envision the kinds of spaces where you feel grounded and connected and where your writing can flow.
If you have a friend who might appreciate creative prompts & spiritual practices, invite them to join us!
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: Get quiet and take a few deep breaths. You may want to close your eyes for a moment. Envision yourself in a place where you feel calm and grounded. Where are you sitting? What do you see around you?
Now envision a place where you feel inspired and uplifted. What do you see there? What’s happening around you?
Write about these two environments, including as many sensory details as possible—colors, sounds, scents, textures, shapes.
When you finish, read over what you’ve written. Highlight or circle the elements you might bring into your writing space.
I’d love to read about your writing sanctuaries! Leave a comment here or reach me through the messaging app.
Spiritual Practice for the week ahead: Give yourself permission to experiment with writing in different spaces. Even if your time is limited, schedule a moment to write somewhere new—a beautiful café with your keyboard, or beneath autumn trees with your journal. Notice where you feel most connected and inspired.
Return to that place when you can, and consider how to bring elements of that environment into your living space, so you create a little writing sanctuary all of your own.
Wishing you a week of creativity, comfort and much light! Love, Gabrielle Ariella
What if giving thanks included making space for tenderness, longing, healing? Join me for a free writing ritual on Nov 25 as we lean into the “and” of gratitude and grief. ❤️🩹 This event from Ritualwell is open for folks of all faiths and culture traditions. Info and registration here.
