LIFE

From haikus to sonnets, free verse to prose poems, there's so much to explore in the world of poetry. It feels amazing to grab a pen and an adorable journal and write a poem in whatever style you desire. Poetry writing is an amazing hobby to try this fall and we'll tell you why.

Poetry is the *perfect* self-care tool

This fall is back to school season which, as you probably know, can be very stressful. With classes, extracurriculars, homework and family responsibilities it's easy to get overwhelmed. That's why self-care is so crucial. But self-care can be more than mindfulness and spa days. Poetry is self-care too!

Writing poetry allows you to let out your pent up emotions in a constructive way. Whether you got in a fight with your bestie or are frustrated with your history grade, writing it down can help. According to Psychology Today, "writing poetry can be healing and transformative because poems reflect the voice of the soul."

Writing poetry is a creative outlet

Just like painting, dancing and drawing, writing poetry helps you get your creative juices flowing. You can experiment with different styles and create a story through words. Poetry is lots of fun to read and write and soon you'll be hooked.

Try these prompts

Now that you know why writing poetry is such a great idea, here are a few prompts to get you started.

+ Spend a minute or two being mindful of your five senses. Write a poem about what you notice in the form of a haiku. A haiku is a traditional Japanese poem with three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables and the third line has five syllables. 

+ Write a free verse poem inspired by a recent dream you've had.

+ Think about a lesson you've learned. Write a rhyming poem about this lesson, as if you're teaching it to your younger self.

+ Look through your camera roll. Find a photo that you like, perhaps of nature, a pet or a place you've visited. Write a poem describing the photo.

Follow us on IG @girlslifemag for more back to school ideas!

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by Delilah Brumer | 8/22/2021