Dear Me: A Journaling Weekly Group for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse & CPTSD

**Established Members Only: Must have attended first timers' meeting**

This is a support group focused on using journalling as a tool to heal from trauma.

As survivors of narcissistic abuse, the story we tell ourselves about who we are and what we've faced can be an incredibly powerful way to take back a narrative that was stolen from us.

Writing out thoughts and feelings is also an extremely effective way to reduce stress while processing complicated and layered emotions, which all of us with CPTSD can find difficult to manage. It can be very helpful with organising a lot of the overwhelming chaos and noise we often feel in our brains, as well as a super cathartic way to safely express yourself.

PARTICIPATING
What you choose to share in this group is very much up to you, loosely based around the topic of journalling. You can read out a journal entry you've written in the previous week or at any other point in your life, talk about your struggles with journalling, what you've found to be helpful - or really anything you're feeling like sharing. I want this to be a safe space for you to express yourself and heal.

ABOUT ME
I am a survivor of childhood trauma and abuse, throughout which I kept diaries, wrote stories and journalled much of what I was going through. I believe it was one of the things that kept me sane when it felt like the entire world was falling apart. It helped remind me who I was at my very core, even as everyone around me seemed determined to take that away.

That said, I have also struggled to journal consistently, despite knowing how helpful it has been. I know what it's like when you're unable to force yourself to write, and so hopefully can share some strategies on how to overcome those difficulties through what I've personally found helpful.

I'm very interested in what everyone else's experiences in the group have been - so please do join me! Xx

**ZOOM LINKS WILL BE SENT OUT THE DAY OF THE MEETING VIA YOUR MEETUP MESSAGES**

GROUP RULES
1. Do not contact other members directly without first going through an organizer. This is a big safety issue. We want to make sure contact is wanted. TELL AN ORGANIZER IMMEDIATELY if someone contacts you without consent. We take that very seriously here. Please WRITE to an organizer through Meetup. Please refrain from asking openly in the zoom meeting because it can put people on the spot. Also, don’t share personal contact information in any public forum for your own safety.
2. Recognize we are PEERS not professionals or experts. We are not psychologists, attorneys, or medical doctors. This group should be in conjunction with one-on-one therapy. Never a substitute. We cannot create a feeling of perfect safety, so one must largely manage one's own triggers by muting or signing out for a period. We are volunteers and cannot give any one member personal time. The beauty of the group is to get multiple perspectives.
3. Cameras must be ON and microphones should stay muted until it is your turn to share. Unless you write to an organizer with a reason to have it off in advance. Having it off for brief periods is allowed as long as your camera remains on for the vast majority of the meeting.
4. We are all-inclusive here. No matter what race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, we accept everyone. We have many people on the spectrum and we do give extra time to share. Thank you for understanding. We will not tolerate derogatory language towards any population of people. No stereotyping or making sweeping statements. Also, do not bring up race, gender or any other identity unless you are of that identity.
5. Please use “I” statements, unless people explicitly ask for advice. People are in different situations, and different things help different people. We support one another with compassion rather than judgement, so please be careful about telling someone what they should do.
6. Do not bring up controversial topics unrelated to narcissism/trauma/CPTSD.
7. Please RAISE YOUR HAND and you will be called on when it is your turn. There will be no interrupting one another, or talking over someone else.
8. Do not raise your voice at another member or the organizer. Behavior like this will get you kicked out of the group immediately.
9. No soliciting or peddling of products.
**We appreciate you following the rules and respecting everyone's healing process!**