Important experiences can be challenging to process in the present. While we’re often told not to linger on the past, it can be difficult to move on in life without a clear sense of where we’ve come from. Like driving, we still need to look in the rear-view mirror to manoeuvre mindfully and journey forward.

People have been writing about their own lives for centuries. The process of writing reflectively encourages us to explore important memories, often unearthing forgotten moments, and to consider how we’ve grown and developed since then. Creating a written piece can be a way of ‘clearing the shelves’ in our minds and, like all writing, bring a sense of accomplishment.

This workshop is a dedicated space to reflect on an important memory or experience in your life, consider how it has impacted you, and use creative writing skills to begin developing a piece of reflective, autobiographical writing. We will also finish the workshop with some mindfulness through writing. The class is suitable for anyone who wants to develop their writing skills or dedicate time to exploring a significant past experience. No writing experience is necessary!

About Matthew:

Matthew studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow and has been teaching English in schools and to foreign language students for fifteen years. He writes novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction, and has spoken at various book launches, festivals, and writing groups including the Cymera Festival, The Nottingham Writers’ Studio, Writing East Midlands, and Poetry LGBT. He won the National Trust for Scotland's Morton Writing Competition in 2019 and recently won the Strathkelvin Writers' Group poetry competition.
Matthew is also a qualified Reiki II healer and a keen Ashtanga yoga practitioner with a fascination for tarot, meditation and crystal healing.

Rear-View Mirror: Self-Reflection Through Writing