Special feature by Zeynep Zuhal Arslan for the NBM Lab

The longer days of summer present a great opportunity to nurture curiosity and creativity with a sustained reflective practice. We asked friends of the Narrative-Based Medicine Lab to share their favourite ways to stay engaged with writing.

I followed these recommendations myself during my summer vacation in Guadalajara, Mexico, and I want to walk you through my experience as I applied some of these strategies.

During my tour of the city, I scouted the beautiful historical centre for a spot to begin my writing process. Sarah Kim (Temerty Medicine Medical Education Health Humanities Theme Lead) recommends scheduling time in your day to write in an outdoor space that inspires you.

Sarah explains, “Protect at least one hour in your schedule to write in an outdoor space. As a prompt, you can reflect on a sensation that arises as you rest in the external environment, beginning with the description of what you are sensing and allowing your writing to flow.”

I wandered through the cloisters of the beautiful courtyard of the Cabañas Museum until I found a spot to ease the midday heat and with acoustics to complement the setting. After I took a minute to take in the view of the structure’s colonial architecture, I realized this moment belonged to my writing, and I was ready to let the atmosphere guide the process.

As a starting point, Nicholas Pimlott (Member, Scientific Planning Committee) advises always keeping a notebook close by. Once I felt grounded in this space, I reached into my backpack and brought out the materials I needed. I laid out my trusty notebook on my lap, picked up my favourite fountain pen, and was ready to ponder my first sentence.

Allan Peterkin (Academic Director, NBM Lab) highlights the importance of writing by hand during this process because this “stimulates parts of the brain that typing does not.” This practice goes hand in hand with his recommendation to check in with all of your senses. It is important to feel present in your space for writing to come naturally.

I took a deep breath and observed my surroundings. I focused on what I was seeing first. I looked up into the bright, blue skies and white clouds that rose from behind the pointy signature dome of the museum. Then, I paid attention to what I was hearing around me: the descriptive narratives of the tour guides, the laughter of children who were participating in an interactive art piece close by, and the chirping of the birds in the trees not too far away.

I then concentrated on the pen I was holding and my notebook in front of me and felt ready to reflect on what my senses were processing.

Karen Gold (Curriculum Lead, NBM Lab) suggests following the rule of three: “Write down three questions, three things you are thinking about, or three things you noticed from your day.”

I wove together the sights, the sounds, and the sensations around me to create the three sentences that set my writing in motion. By the end of the hour, I could not believe how many of my thoughts I was able to get down on paper. I focused solely on the writing in front of me, which left me feeling calm and mindful while also energized to take on the rest of the day.

For Damian Tarnopolsky (Creative Lead, NBM Lab) it’s truly about consistency and “showing up for your writing every morning.” He shares: “Sometimes you write thousands of words, and sometimes you stare out of the window, but if you show up every day, you’re making it possible for something to happen.”

The next day, I searched for a new spot in the city to write and this quickly became part of my daily routine while on vacation.

For me, following these recommendations reveals how setting aside just a few minutes each day can allow us to feel more grounded and present in our surroundings. I discovered that the key, as Conor Mc Donnell (Editor-in-Chief, Case Repertory) puts it so well, is to “make space in the everyday for what truly nourishes you.”

Now it’s your turn. Follow along with this guided writing exercise and put these steps into practice.

Stay tuned for more exercises like these on our podcast and website throughout the summer to help you stay inspired and connected.