Lynda Monk
Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC, Director of the International Association for Journal Writing, is a Registered Social Worker and a Certified Professional Life Coach. She has a speciality in therapeutic journaling and life writing for self-care, personal growth, resilience and creative self-expression. She is the co-author of Writing Alone Together: Journalling in a Circle of Women for Creativity, Compassion and Connection, as well as co-author of the international bestseller Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Choosing Happiness. She is the author of Life Source Writing: A Reflective Journaling Practice for Self-Discovery, Self-Care, Wellness and Creativity, and producer of the Creative Wellness Guided Meditations CD. She is currently writing Surrender: An Adoptee’s Memoir.
Lynda is an experienced facilitator and coach, and has supported thousands of people to go to the page and write for well-being, self-expression and personal growth. She has authored many in-person courses, workshops and writing retreats, as well as many online course offerings including Pen to Paper: Journaling for Self-Care & Wellness through the University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University. Her signature 6-week online group coaching, The Transformational Writing for Wellness Salon is available through the IAJW.org.
Lynda is co-editor, along with Eric Maisel, of two books including…
As leader of the IAJW, she is committed to growing a vibrant and kind learning and inspiration community for journal and life writers worldwide. Lynda lives with her husband, Peter, their two sons, Jackson and Jesse, and their beloved Sadie girl (a Golden Retriever) on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, where she writes every day (even if for just 5 minutes!).
"I loved the Renew You Writing Retreat. I wasn't sure if I would keep my focus over Zoom, but Lynda provided a fun creative day sharing different techniques and discussions, both playful and thoughtful with poetry and prose. Self-reflective time 'alone together' as she says, is valuable time!"
- Beth Tunis
"Lynda really helped me to overcome my emotional barriers to journaling. I just didn’t know where to start or how to do it comfortably. Without expectation or pressure. She took that all away by guiding our group through techniques that prep for journaling and then actually doing the writing. Here gentle approach made it all inviting and comfortable. I highly recommend one of Lynda’s sessions for anyone that wants to develop a journaling practice but needs help in just learning how to get started."
- Allison McCarthy
"One of my 2021 goals has been to find a writing class that meets my schedule, and interests. To date, I had yet to find one until receiving the email about the Virtual Renew your Writing Retreat. The timing was perfect, and my family gave me the space I needed to give my mind & body a reset. The class was quiet, full of introspection as well as working as a group, and the final writing piece was so powerful for me especially when seeing another member had written something so similar we could have been sitting together talking and writing as a unit! My mother joined our family for dinner and said she had not seen me looking so relaxed in a long time. I cannot begin to thank you for such a wonderful Sunday afternoon, and I am so eager to do this again at one point in the near future."
- Lisa, Central NJ
“What a delightful, fulfilling, unveiling, revealing, accepting, rejoicing, embracing, acknowledging, and surprising time was spent with three strangers, who magically transitioned into being mutual cheerleaders. It is difficult to think of this sacred time as a “retreat”, for it was far from time spent in “retirement”, “flight”, or “solitude”. Instead, it was a cherished opportunity to “move forward” for “arrival” at thoughts and feelings long unacknowledged and unexpressed. Lynda’s compassionate guidance and thoughtful participation were key to creating a transformative self-affirming and quietly energizing event, which I highly recommend for anyone wanting to get in touch with her inner self in a supportive, nonjudgmental, and encouraging environment.”
— Latifu Munirah
“The Renew You Writing Retreat was a time for writing to flow. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share and step forward in a circle of women. I enjoyed Lynda’s warm facilitating too! “
— Karen Strong
“I was inspired to learn of the tool and the capacity it has to create opportunities for self awareness, growth and change; it has been life giving from the perspective of giving something of significant worth to me, to my life and inviting because it spoke to me in a way that nothing has before — Life Source Writing has invited me to be a parnter in self discovery and healing. I feel like I have taken a huge step in my own self awareness and growth. I so look forward to more “ah-ha” moments that I am confident will happen through “getting to the page!”
– Catherine Simunovic, Social Worker
“I first became connected to Lynda when she generously shared her Life Source Writing workshop as a silent auction item at an eWomen event in Victoria. There was something about both her book and her personal presence that made we want to reach out and find out more. This summer I set aside a morning to spend with Lynda, via the telephone. There were three of us on the call, with Lynda as our leader and we all set aside a morning. Lynda encouraged us to stay away from the computer and phones and create a mini-oasis for ourselves, as though we were on a retreat external to our own space. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning, I got out all my favourite pens and a big blank book to begin my journaling journey – through guided exercises, followed by insight and feedback from the other participants, I renewed my passion for writing. Lynda is an excellent facilitator, showing professionalism combined with personal warmth – a great combination! “
— Carolyne Taylor, www.carolynetaylor.com
“Wow! What an awesome experience! I must admit I was a tad bit skeptical about an online retreat. But woah! Was I wrong! The Renew You Writing Retreat was so invigorating, uplifting, therapeutic, inspirational….just plain awesomesauce. Have you ever had an experience like that? You go in a little skeptical and come out blown away? Have you had the experience of being deeply inspired through writing and sharing with others? If not, you’re missing out! Thank you, Lynda, for creating such a wonderful space and experience“
— Airial W. Dandridge, Certified Life Coach, www.solutioncenteredcoaching.com
"Women don’t often take time for themselves. The virtual retreat is an opportunity to do so, along with others who are experiencing the same sorts of challenges, trying to carve out time and space for themselves to tap into their own thoughts and wisdom. Allowing time to listen to one’s self through journaling is an expansive experience because of the personal insight one can gain.”
– Mary Ann Moore, Creator of Writing Home, a writing mentoring program www.maryannmoore.ca
“As a Business Coach I have often encouraged my clients to journal as a way to process ideas, issues, challenges in their business and personal lives, however I must confess that while I absolutely believed in the power of journaling, I never engaged in the process myself. Much of my reluctance was not knowing the how and what to journal. Lynda’s retreat was just what I needed. It provided the structure to get out of my head and start writing in a safe environment. While I am still not regularly going to the page to write I absolutely do when I feel the need to process and issue, idea or emotion. I highly recommend taking Lynda’s retreat! ”
– Kerry Brown,Business Coach, Success Biz Coach & Past Executive Managing Director eWomenNetwork www.successbizcoach.com
“I really enjoyed the three hours – felt encouraged by the format, inspired by you the facilitator and other group members and was delighted with the outcome. Just writing with prompts and how easily the words came to me. I am taking away the experience as a reminder of the value of taking time for me to write.”
— Deb Wandler, Social Worker
“Stimulating (pushed me out of my comfort zone), Refreshing – It was nice to be supported to write in a creative way and get a break from academic writing.
Reassuring – that with support I can find something to write about.”
— Cristine Urquhart, MSW, RSW Registered Social Worker, Consultant, Trainer
“I attended Lynda Monk’s 3 hour on-line journaling workshop and really enjoyed it. The opportunity to share experiences with other professionals in the caring and coaching field about how we approach self-care was handled safely and respectfully. After years of caring for elderly parents while developing my coaching business, I enjoyed the 3 hour mini-break to take time for me, to journal, reflect and listen deeply to my own heart and needs. The structure of the questions in the Life Source Writing Workbook supports a thoughtful process of restorative self-reflection. I was impressed with how easily Lynda’s format allowed us to move back and forth between the on-line learning and sharing, and quiet, reflective journaling time with ourselves. When we are in a field where giving to others can be all-consuming, a chance to take a break for self-reflection is essential to maintaining our ability to serve our clients well. I highly recommend the workshop.”
– Sharon Hall,CEC, Business Coach, & Consultant www.w3women.com
“I thought this workshop would force me to write again; but instead, it allowed me to write again. I was also amazed at how I was able to let the words fall onto the paper so freely during and after the workshop.”
– Jen Holmes, Mother
“During the Renew You Virtual Writing Retreat, I realized I can write creatively – and it was easier than I thought it would be. I don’t really think of myself as a writer but during the retreat my perspective on that shifted. I really enjoyed the chance to get in touch with this part of my creativity. Learning to surrender and trust, letting the writing take me where it wanted to go was key and Lynda guided that process beautifully. I loved the juicy surprises and “aha moments” that resulted from the writing exercises and discussion within the retreat. I can see how Life Source Writing can be a tool for both spiritual and personal growth.”
— Marcy Nelson-Garrison MA LP, CPCC, www.pinkparadigm.com & www.coachingtoys.com
“I was surprised by the support I felt mostly because I did not realize I needed it! There is something to doing this over the phone. Having attended the in person retreat, I enjoyed the energy of everyone but found the virtual retreat allowed me to be more in my own energy and notice what I was holding in my space for myself. It is always up to me to change what is not working for me. There is big healing here for me and others. Thank you for creating the space and encouraging me to step into it!”
— Jeannie Vasilakos, RMT, Massage Therapist, www.handsonhealingbodywork.com
“I have journalled in one way or another throughout my life, embracing it as a therapeutic journey toward self-discovery and vitality. Before I read the Life Source Writing book, I wondered what journalling techniques could there possibly be that I haven’t already discovered?What a gift to have been taken into places of such warmth and depth, feeling so encouraged and energized by the beautiful energy with which you’ve infused the book. Thank you again for the amazing experience.”
— Renee Deakin, Facilitator + Writer, http://mindfulness.escdev.info
