Mallory en montgolfière
Navigating life with chronic illness and mental health condition while on a healing journey
Prompt #1: Six-Word Memoir
"Yeah... cause Mallory was the problem."
Prompt #2: Demons v. Sunlight
What does the word “demon” mean to you? How do you triumph over demons? What’s the taste of “sunlight” to your particular demons – in other words, what don’t your demons like about you?
Prompt #3: Self Exposure
How do you present yourself to the world? Is the way others see you different from how you see yourself? Are you showing who you are, or are you hiding, and why?
Prompt #4: Sunlight
Think of a way you can bring sunlight to a difficult situation in your or someone else’s life – and do it!
Put on a favorite song, and write a piece inspired by its mood and lyrics.
Prompt #5: Future Self
If your future self were to time travel to the present time to gift you something you need what would that be and what would happen next.
Prompt #6: My World
If your future self were to time travel to the present time to gift you something you need what would that be and what would happen next.
Prompt #7:
Write about someone who showed you a world you didn’t know about, or opened your eyes to an experience different from your own. What did you learn about their world and your own?
Prompt #8:
Describe the message you would like to deliver to others. Why is this message important, and how would you get others to listen? Would you say it in a story, a poem, a song?
Prompt #9: Souvenirs in his Dreams
If you appeared in someone else’s dream, what souvenir would you leave for them, and why? Why are you in their dream, and what are you doing?
Prompt #10: Souvenirs
Describe a souvenir that you brought home from a trip or that someone gave to you. What is special about this souvenir?
Prompt #11: Hearts Hurt
Option 1: Write a Valentine’s Day message or poem to someone you love. They can be a partner, family member, or friend.
Prompt #12: anti-valentines
Option 2: Write an anti-Valentine’s Day story or poem.
Prompt #13: Hearts Open
Option 3: Do you think your heart is open? Why or why not? Write an essay or poem on this theme.
Prompt #11:
Consider writing a loving message to someone who is important to you. Put it in a card, text, or voice message.
Prompt #12: Heaven
What is heaven? Is it something real or imaginary? Where is it, and how do you get there? Have you been there before? What does it look like, and whom and what do you find there?
Prompt #13:
Option 1: What is true power to you? What do most people think power is, and is this similar to or different from your own idea of power?
Option 2: Imagine you are a superhero with a special power. Describe your appearance, how your power manifests, and what you do with it.
Prompt #14:
Choose one word to describe how the song made you feel. Write it down.
•What is a lyric from the song that stayed with you? Write it down.
•If you could draw an image to describe the song, what would it be? Write a description of the image or quickly draw it
•Choose one word to describe how the song made you feel. Write it down.
•What is a lyric from the song that stayed with you? Write it down.
•If you could draw an image to describe the song, what would it be? Write a description of the image or quickly draw it.
Prompt #15:
Option 1: Imagine you are travelling to the galaxy of Andromeda. What do you find there? Describe your experience.
Option 2: Is love calling you? What does it sound and/or look like? Do you want love to let you be, or do you want to let it in, and why?
Prompt #17:
Option 1: Imagine you are the woman singing the song “Grapevine.” Who is this person you are singing about? Do you love one another? Can you be together? Why or why not?
Option 2: Write about your experience or a fictional character’s experience of not being able to be with the one you or they love.
Prompt #16:
Choose one word to describe how the song made you feel. Write it down.
What is a lyric from the song that stayed with you? Write it down.
If you could draw an image to describe the song, what would it be? Write a description of the image or quickly draw it.
Secret Hiding Places
"Look within! The secret is inside you." - Hui-neng
I never thought you'd tell my secrets and destroy me.
I never told a soul what you whispered to get that first kiss.
I never told a soul that you wanted us to run away together.
I never told a soul that you promised me safety and protection.
I tried my best to protect you when I was punished for the thing you did. I was trying to save your reputation. I was humiliated three times that week.
The promise you were to keep was the first to be broken...
you promised I would be safe with you. You never faced the furry of my enraged parent... being called degrading names and having objects thrown at. I couldn't control my fear when I was alone with you again. I lost my mind. I said things and did things I had no control over. I was absolutely terrified about what would happen when we'd get caught for running or for being pregnant before the age of nineteen. You watched me lose control. I saw your face. I wish I could take it all back. I spiral over and over each day of that week. We went for the best day of my life to the worse. I fought that battle alone and you let me fall.
Your True Name
2021 I came to realize that