We Write What We Like
For many years, I have worked with people in organisations to enhance their writing skills. When I started Communicating Simply, I devised a process that I called ‘Black Woman Writing’. As a Black woman who grew up in apartheid South Africa, I have experienced the fear of putting myself out there with my writing, the fear of not measuring up to peoples’ expectations, and the difficulty of overcoming the hurdles of my perceived lesser-ness. In this work I’ve also seen how writing in organisations can become disconnected from people’s realities.
Writing, I believe, can be a tremendous instrument for self-discovery, affirmation, soul growth, and, eventually, healing. As I envisioned it, Black Woman Writing incorporates soul contemplation, growth, and healing through writing; as well as writing from that soul reflection. It is about the process of soul growth as much as the end result.
Black woman writing has evolved into the processes below.
Righting ourselves, writing our stories
Many organisational stories go untold because people feel like they lack the time and ability to write them.
I assist organisations in telling the stories they want to share about their work through workshops (yep, workshops are still a thing) and one-on-one coaching.
There is a lot of soul growth and learning in the writing process – about ourselves, others, and writing itself.
My processes include a mix of group/peer learning and sharing sessions as well as one-on-one help for individuals.
Let me be your guide
Many of us have a story to tell, share, or write about. Others require a safe space to unleash their creativity and chart their course.
This process consists of me holding space for you in a group of peers or alone to assist you in discovering your voice and the story you feel called to tell right now. It is about soul introspection and growth, as well as bringing you along in your writing process. As with all of the support I offer, there are no hard and fast rules. Instead, you will be guided and nudged through your process.
You may want to boost your confidence to begin a writing project; you may be far into a written piece and require assistance in talking through ideas; or you may simply want to write for your healing.
Allow me to accompany you on your adventure. My approach is always to listen (with my inner ears as well) to what you’re saying and feeling and to help you on this journey of soul development.
Journaling for joy
Journaling is my go-to tool for soul growth and writing, and I’d like to help you discover the incredible value it could add to your life.
Allow me to create short (half-day to two-day) retreats to help you refresh and reflect using journaling as the main tool for your internal deliberations and external transformation, whether you’re a team in an organization or a group of friends, a circle of like-minded souls, or a company looking for a creative outlet for your team (and yes, it is transformative).
More than a review, this is peer pressure to get Gladys to organize more writing and vision boarding retreats. Thank you for the one you held with all of us at the beginning of 2021 Glad. The vision board still hangs on my wall.
Gladys begins her processes with an invitation for one to go into their own Essence. So right at the beginning of the session, you take a moment to invite anything and anyone you need to journey with you through the upcoming sacred session. A ritual I have since adopted in my coaching and counselling practices. The sessions are then made even richer by Gladys’ grounding presence, meaningful writing prompts and tarot readings.
Following that vision boarding retreat, I have since engaged with Gladys through coaching, writing reviews and generally working to bring healing to the world.
Wherever Gladys shines her light through her work, I want to be there. You should too. Starting with the Selful Soul diary and personal journal. And also just following Selful Soul on all social media. Thank you for your light Glad.