Experience God’s presence in the midst of your grief.
How could God let that happen?
I can’t tell anyone; I’m too ashamed.
How am I supposed to move forward from this?
I never had the time to deal with my grief…
What grief are you carrying?
Whether it was the loss of a loved one, the betrayal of a friend or spouse, a false accusation, or unforgettable abuse, chances are you are carrying things you were never meant to carry.
And you’re feeling it…
…the heaviness of dragging those burdens around with you everywhere you go.
…the impact it has on your everyday life.
…the influence it has on the way you interact with those you love.
You’ve sensed God inviting you to bring it all to Him, to let Him heal the hurting pieces inside of you.
And you’re ready. Ready to bring your grief and pain to God.
But HOW?
Introducing Journal Gently
Journal Gently is an 8-week program designed to help you use writing as a way to process hurt, grief, and trauma with God.
>> Trauma-sensitive approach
Specifically designed for those seeking to write after experiencing deep grief or hardship.
>> Gentle pace
Plenty of time to reflect on and explore what you are learning. Go as slow or as fast as you’d like.
>> Safe + sacred space
Private email correspondence and audio messaging that allows you to ask the questions you have or to have someone witness your story.
>> Personalized support
1:1 guidance from a certified writing guide and spiritual director, so you receive the encouragement, prayer, and support you desire.
>> Power of choice
You choose what to write about and how much you want to share.
>> Holistic care
Care for your heart, soul, mind, and body as you do the holy work of healing.
Sometimes trauma involves being silenced. Maybe we have been threatened or frightened. Maybe our experiences and our reactions to the trauma we’ve suffered have been belittled. Perhaps the trauma isolated us. Maybe we simply lack the words to be able to describe what we have been through.
“WRITE YOUR SELF” CURRICULUM
What does Journal Gently look like?
8-Week Program
Receive training each week in your inbox that teaches you how to write after experiencing grief and trauma.
- Reclaim your voice if it has been silenced or taken away.
- Piece together and make sense of your story.
- Write about your grief/trauma–or simply start writing (about anything) again if you’ve stopped.
- Invite God into the entire process.
Plus 1:1 Support and Guidance
But this is is more than a course.
You get 1:1 private access to me as your spiritual director and writing guide.
- Ask questions about what you’re learning.
- Share your writing exercises (never any pressure here!).
- Get personalized recommendations for resources and journaling prompts.
You can email me, send me audio messages, or pass along pictures of your journal pages–you get to choose WHAT to share and HOW to do so.
Weekly Work
Start by listening to a brief (10 minutes or less) audio invitation from me. Then read the short training materials and complete one writing exercise each week (you’ll have options to choose from). You can do the work in 1-2 hours all at once, or split it up and do a little bit each day.
>> Week 1: A Room of One’s Own
Create space to write and meet with God.
>> Week 2: Begin Writing
Learn how to listen to your stories–and to God.
>> Week 3: Self-Care
Explore how to care for your self as you write.
>> Week 4: The Writing Body
Examine your body as a keeper of stories.
>> Week 5: Genres
Explore different writing forms to share your stories.
>> Week 6: Topics
Take a closer look at your writing topics.
>> Week 7: Creating Wholeness
Learn how writing can bring healing.
>> Week 8: Expressing the Wordless
Explore ways to express those experiences that have no words.
During our time together in Journal Gently, you’ll be able to…
- Create a space for writing and reflecting.
- Explore a writing rhythm and routine that works for you.
- Discover writing exercises and spiritual practices that lend themselves to healing and reflection.
- Pay attention to what the process of writing reveals about what is going on inside of you.
- Name how God is inviting you to respond.
Plus, you’ll receive personalized recommendations for further reading and writing.
Start Journal Gently as soon as you sign up.
>> 8 weeks of audio and written training
>> Over 20 writing prompts
>> Recommended spiritual practices to use when writing and grieving
>> 1:1 private access to me via email or voice messaging
>> Additional resources to continue learning and healing
$197
“Kari is wise and speaks to the heart of why our very desire to be with God stands in the way of experiencing Him. Her workshop left me feeling full and ready to receive. Kari’s gift is permission to open the heart to ‘let the words find me,’ to manage the expectations of what the space is about – not to produce something, but to wait, invite, and prepare.”
Charlotte E., journaling workshop participant
“I’m getting ready to start week 6 of Journal Gently from @love_does_that. This 8-week journaling program has been so healing and wholesome. Writing is such a powerful healing tool that we can invite the Holy Spirit into. Each week, He shows up faithfully and meets my heart on the pages of my journal. Thank you, Jesus.”
Journal Gently participant
Hi, I’m Kari.
I have been writing ever since I was a little girl–journaling, crafting poems and short stories, writing devotionals and Bible studies for church.
But there came a time when my writing was taken away from me.
And I lost my words.
It took several years for me to recover what I had lost, to let God redeem those experiences and bring me even closer to Him.
The process of writing and journaling has been one of the greatest gifts God has given me to reflect on what I have experienced.
But more than that, it has been one of the places where I have met and experienced God Himself.
And I’d love to support you as you use writing to meet with Him, too.
Face Your Grief in a Gentle Way
Coming close to your grief and entering into it can be scary. Overwhelming, even.
Through Journal Gently, you’ll learn how to take a gentle, graceful approach so you can care for your heart, body, and soul.
>> Create a sustainable writing practice
>> Set your writing aside when you need to
>> Discover soul care and body care practices
>> Identify your support and care team
>> Notice God’s presence there with you
Because the truth is, your grief won’t magically be gone in 8 weeks. But you’ll have the tools, habits, and skills you need to keep talking to God about it.
Q&A’s
How do I know if Journal Gently is a good fit for me?
Here are some questions to help you discern if Journal Gently is right for you in this season:
- Are you ready to talk to God about your grief and heartache?
- Do you tend to process life through writing and journaling?
- Do you have 1-2 hours a week to commit to going through the training and writing practices (either all at once or in shorter chunks of time)?
- Do you desire the prayerful support of a trusted guide?
If so, then yes, I encourage you to dive in. If you’re still not sure, email me and we’ll figure it out together.
What tool do you use for voice messaging?
My favorite is Voxer, a free walkie-talkie app that allows us to send both text and audio messages. But we can also use Instagram messages if you’d like.
What if I don’t want to share my writing with you?
Completely okay! In fact, I believe some things are just between you and God. If and when you are ready to share, I would be honored to bear witness to your story. Also, you are welcome to share other things: your favorite quote from the reading, questions you have, etc. The point is, you get to choose what to share and when.
What if I get behind?
There is no getting behind. 😉 You go at the pace that is right for you. While you’ll still get the trainings in your inbox each week, you can simply set them aside until you’re ready for them. I’ll keep checking in to see how you’re doing.
I am currently working with a therapist/counselor. Should Journal Gently be done on its own or would it work well alongside therapy?
Counselors and therapists do a great work! Journal Gently is not therapy itself, but it can be a great tool for you to process what you and your therapist talk about. You can also share what you wrote with your therapist and discuss it together.
Is there a payment plan available?
Yep. When you log into PayPal to pay, choose the “Pay Later” option. Whatever payment you set up will be between you and PayPal, so make sure you understand and agree to their terms.
What if I try Journal Gently and decide it’s not right for me?
If you go through the first week’s materials and realize it’s not right for you, it’s okay. I applaud you for trying! Just email me within 7 days of purchase and I’ll refund your money.
