About Journal Circle.

  • Journal Circle brings together journaling, creativity, connection and personal development. By pausing, expressing, exploring and sharing, you create room for connection: with yourself and with others. From this connection you can shape a life that feels like your own: a life where you can be yourself and make use of your talents.

  • Within Journal Circle, writing/journaling form the common thread, complemented by other expressive, creative, reflective and integrative exercises. In a workshop (circle), we explore a theme, make space for what is alive within you, share and listen to one another, and reflect on how you can carry the new insights into your everyday life.

About Mara.

Hey, happy you’re here! I’m Mara, 25 years old and I’m from Groningen, the Netherlands.

During my teenage years and early twenties, writing became a valuable outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I noticed how comforting and healing I found it to make space for my inner world in this way, as well as through other creative ways. It has helped me, among other things, to get less caught up in overthinking and insecurity, feel more grounded in who I am, express what I think, feel and want more clearly, and make choices from a place of trust. I also saw around me; in writing groups, at art school and with friends, how other art forms such as collages, painting, film and music can support self-exploration, processing and personal growth.

Over the past two years, I’ve become more and more interested in how writing and art can be used for personal development. I took a course in therapeutic writing and work at ‘Sparklab’, where creativity and philosophy are used to encourage children to think about themselves, the world and their surroundings in a playful way.

These experiences led to creating Journal Circle. I believe in the power of a listening ear, meaningful questions, creative exercises, and sharing/discussing things with others for recognition, inspiration and encouragement. Above all, I hope to offer a space that helps you to come more into bloom; whatever that may mean for you!