Write For Your Life

Journal for Joy Coaching and Classes

Wonderful things happen when you write for your life!

Self-Love and Self-Acceptance

More than a simple record-keeping of our days and lives, expressive writing can help us understand and honor our deepest desires. Through journaling, we work through problems, find solutions, process wounds and griefs, and create the lives we want.

Journal writing helps us understand ourselves —what we feel, what we need, what we like (or don’t like). Our journals become a guide for what works and what doesn’t. With practice, expressive writing becomes a tool for accepting who we are and rising to the challenges of our lives.

And that’s powerful. When we truly accept ourselves, we can discover our true purpose and feel great about who we are.

Why Journal?

Journaling is a fantastic way to practice self love and self care. In just a few minutes, writing can help you access thoughts and emotions in direct and practical ways that reduce anxiety and allow you to feel better fast.

Beyond Self Acceptance into Joy

Research has shown that many journal techniques create lasting neuroplasticity that can help you become more positive, joyful, and free from less productive ways of thinking and feeling. Expressive writing has even been shown to help people sleep more deeply and lessen physical responses to trauma.

My journal classes are designed to help you:

Replace anxiety with self-love and confidence
Deepen feelings of gratitude, joy, and connection
Prevent and recover from burnout
Navigate life transitions
Make peace with your inner critic
Enhance and reinforce your work with therapists
Develop practical solutions to complex problems

Hello Fellow Traveller, I’m Abra.
I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m committed to helping you tap into joy and vitality so that you can make peace with your changing self in a changing world.

Based in Amsterdam and fluent in Dutch and English, I draw on more than 30 years of experience as an English and creative writing teacher to create a safe and supportive environment where you can write with freedom and confidence.

I’m excited to offer expressive writing classes that will give you tools to feel better fast. My journaling courses help you create confidence, joy, and gratitude, allowing you to develop a better relationship with yourself and others.

Courses and Coaching

Journal to the Self ® course.

Journal for Joy Course and Private Coaching

Testimonials

"What a cathartic experience! I have been journaling most of my life, but I can’t stress enough how impactful the techniques Abra taught were for my psychological well-being. Journaling is such an effective tool for reducing intrusive thoughts and anxiety, and has helped shift my focus to positivity and gratitude."

"Abra is a warm and wonderful workshop leader. She creates a safe and inspiring space for journaling and makes writing on the spot accessible. The exercises, tips for writing, and discussions helped me gain access to the joyful parts of myself.

“One aspect of the class that resonated with me was how journaling helped me see the power of language and its profound connection to our emotions and mindset. By showing us how to reframe negative words into more positive expressions, Abra helped us create positive feelings. This simple yet powerful shift in perspective led to increased self-awareness and a more optimistic outlook on life, a shift I have been more aware of in my journaling since taking the class.”

“I was impressed with how much could be achieved in a short time. Abra’s enthusiasm is contagious. She has a remarkable understanding of the way language works, allowing me to find new tools to think more positively and constructively.”

Journal for Joy New Class Starting April 3