Podcasts Science The Science of Happiness Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? Guided Writing With Lyla June

Happiness Break: Where Did You Come From? Guided Writing With Lyla June

Published: March 7, 2024, 11 a.m.

Indigenous artist Lyla June leads a 5-minute freewriting exercise about our personal journeys. Autobiographical writing has been shown to help do better in relationships and feel more satisfied in life.

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Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3622n5s6

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How to Do This Practice:

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You will need writing utensils for this practice.

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  1. Find a comfortable place to start this writing practice, taking a few moments to ground yourself.

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  2. Write the prompt, \u201cI come from a place where\u2026\u201d\xa0

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  3. For the next 5 minutes (or more), write whatever comes to mind, allowing your thoughts and ideas to flow freely, without judgment or filters. Trying keeping your pen to the paper the whole time.\xa0

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  4. Take some time afterward to read and reflect on what you wrote.\xa0

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  5. Consider repeating this exercise every few weeks or months to reflect on your past and prospective future.\xa0

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Today\u2019s Happiness Break host:

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Lyla June is an Indigenous artist and scholar from the Din\xe9 Nation.

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Learn about Lyla June\u2019s work: [https://www.lylajune.com/>\\
\nWatch Lyla June\u2019s videos: [https://tinyurl.com/bdhbwyru>\\
\nFollow Lyla June on Twitter: [https://tinyurl.com/4pj565d6>\\
\nFollow Lyla June on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4pj565d6

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More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

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The Power of Expressing Your Deepest Emotions (The Science of Happiness Podcast): [https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67>\\
\nHow to Journal Through Your Struggles: [https://tinyurl.com/yua6wkwd>\\
\nHow Journaling Can Help You in Hard Times: [https://tinyurl.com/3zv3hunw>\\
\nHow Creative Writing Can Increase Students\u2019 Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/4xw8xuff

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How was your experience with this freewriting exercise? Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycukc4za

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Help us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

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We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout \u2014 we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more \u2014 what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.