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Author Archives: jebertrand

Understanding Your Inner Voices: Dialogical Self Theory

Understanding Your Inner Voices: Dialogical Self Theory

Have you ever felt like there are multiple voices guiding your decisions, each pulling you in different directions? This phenomenon is central to Dialogical Self Theory (DST), developed by Hubert Hermans and his colleagues in the early 1990s. DST offers a fascinating lens through which we can view our self as made up of many different “I-positions,” much like characters in a story or play, each with its own voice and perspective.

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What is Dialogical Self Theory?

Dialogical Self Theory (Hermans et al., 1992; Hermans, 2001) presents the idea that our identity is not a singular, fixed entity but a dynamic narrative space where different aspects of ourselves interact.

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Self as Chambered Nautilus: The Healing Power of Writing

Self as Chambered Nautilus: The Healing Power of Writing

At the 2023 Creative Bridges Conference hosted by Lapidus International this past weekend, I had the privilege of sharing my journey into the profound healing power of writing—a journey that began during my graduate studies. Writing, which initially served as a creative outlet, became a transformative tool for exploring deep-seated personal experiences, such as caregiving, chronic illness, and trauma, in an iterative process similar to the growth cycle of the chambered nautilus. This presentation allowed me to highlight the unique role that writing can play in both personal healing and academic growth.

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Enhance Your Self Awareness Through Reflective Writing

Enhance Your Self Awareness Through Reflective Writing

Understanding ourselves—our thoughts, feelings, and the narratives we create about our experiences—is fundamental to personal growth and mental health. Self-trust involves recognizing the truth in our thoughts and feelings and using that insight to steer our lives.

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Transforming the Self

Our self-concept is continually shaped by the social and cultural contexts we inhabit. According to social constructionism, our notion of self is influenced by the specific time, place, and context of our lives. This perspective suggests that our identity isn’t fixed; instead, we can challenge and redefine our self-perceptions. Reflective writing is a powerful method for this exploration, allowing us to question our narratives and adopt new ways of thinking and being.

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Navigating Career Challenges and Transitions Through Writing

Navigating Career Challenges and Transitions Through Writing

The way we engage with our work often intertwines deeply with our personal identity. David Whyte (2001), a poet and philosopher, emphasizes that our professional endeavors should resonate both with our inner values and with the larger good of the world. This concept is not just about the tasks we accomplish but about who we become in the process of doing our work.

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The Impact of Work on Identity

Our careers can profoundly influence our self-perception and well-being. A fulfilling job can feel like a calling, significantly uplifting our spirits. Conversely, losing or leaving a meaningful job, or finding ourselves in a work environment that conflicts with our core values, can lead to stress, anxiety, and even a sense of grief.

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The Power and Peace of Haiku

The Power and Peace of Haiku: A Mindfulness Practice

“Learn about a pine tree from a pine tree, and about a bamboo stalk from a bamboo stalk.” This quote from Basho, a Japanese haiku master, captures the essence of haiku: entering into the object, sharing its life, and expressing its feelings through poetry.

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Why Haiku?

In our busy lives, it’s easy to feel disconnected. Although I find meditation helpful, there are times when my mind is too cluttered to find peace. This is where haiku comes in—a poetic form that helps me reconnect with my surroundings and sharpen my focus.

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Reflecting on Chronic Illness: Insights from the Creative Bridges Conference

Reflecting on Chronic Illness: Insights from the Creative Bridges Conference

This past weekend, I had the honor of presenting at the 2021 Creative Bridges Conference, hosted by Lapidus International. This event gathers the global writing for wellbeing community to share insights, research, and personal stories.

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Presentation Overview: "These Roots That Bind Us"

My talk, “These Roots that Bind Us: Using Writing to Process Grief and Reconstruct the Self in Chronic Illness,” provided an overview of my research into the role of creative writing following a chronic illness diagnosis. Chronic illnesses often disrupt our self-perception and worldview, leading to feelings of alienation and identity fragmentation.

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Exploring the Transformative Power of Writing for Wellbeing

Exploring the Transformative Power of Writing for Wellbeing

Writing for wellbeing is a dynamic field where writing is used as a tool to explore personal growth, manage emotional challenges, and navigate complex life experiences. This practice encompasses expressive writing—delving into deep personal thoughts and emotions—creative writing aimed at healing, and reflective writing, which encourages a deeper exploration of one’s personal experiences and beliefs.

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How Writing Supports Physical and Mental Health

The foundation of writing for wellbeing was laid in 1986 by researchers Jim Pennebaker and Sandra Beall, who discovered that writing about traumatic experiences could lead to significant long-term health improvements.

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Honouring Canada’s Indigenous Peoples

Honouring Canada's Indigenous Peoples

As a third-generation settler in Canada, I am committed to continually learning and supporting Indigenous peoples throughout the country. The On Canada Project has been instrumental in guiding these efforts, offering actionable steps for acknowledging and taking responsibility in the reconciliation process. Here is my list of commitments:  

My Commitments to Indigenous Allyship

  • Continuous Learning: I commit to deepening my understanding of the peoples and the history of the land I live on. This included completing the Indigenous Canada course offered by the University of Alberta.
  • Acknowledging Presence: I will incorporate a personalized land acknowledgment into my daily communications to highlight and respect the privilege of living on Indigenous land.
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