Transitions with Jena Schwartz

In this episode, we talk with wonderful human being, writing coach and group leader and poet, Jena Schwartz, on International Women's Day, about the power of transitions, big and small.

You'll hear: 

• How Deli met Jena  when she joined Jena's online writing programs
• How Jena's masterful prompts have come to be part of the structure of Unwritten You Podcast
• Hear this episode's prompts and Jena, Deli and Deneen in conversation over the prompt
• Catch each of their recent "joygasms" 

We bring you this special 1-hour episode as Jena's prompts going forward will be part of the structure of our episodes and will help launch our conversation. Our conversations are not pre-planned -- we consider topics, and we answer the prompts on the spot as we record. One of the biggest reasons we launched this podcast was to heal and grow through conversation, by speaking things out loud, in the moment, as they come in. 

Tag us at @unwrittenyoupodcast on IG to leave a comment! Leave us a review at:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unwritten-recovering-our-unstoried-selves/id1607908452 

Deep gratitude for Jena's generosity in allowing us to use her prompts for our podcasts. Our hope is that you take each prompt and use it for yourself, in your journal writing and to open and kickoff conversations with friends, family, and even strangers who cross your path. 

Jena's prompt in this episode from her manuscript, Fierce Encouragement for Writing + Life: 201 Writing Prompts to Help You Dig Deep, Quiet the Critic, and Discover the Power of Your Voice in the Wider World – 10 Minutes at a Time

Prompt:  The Transition

"In the space between chaos and shape, there was another chance." 
- Janette Winterson 

Then she woke up, woke up from where she was, 
where she had dwelled upon and not from, 
stepping over the exposed roots and piles 
of leaves and laundry and bills, a sopping sponge
 unable to hold another drop, as if driving
 in a downpour and cursing the futility
 of windshield wipers against the force
 of the deluge, finally surrendering to the storm
 she pulled over, stepping out of the car
 and standing on the shoulder, drenched 
instantly to the bone, until it was her own
 water breaking again, that warm flood
 a kind of terrible ecstasy delivering her
 to a trailhead where she walked up and up
 into the fecund woods, leaving the trail
 to find a small gravel clearing, laying
 her coat on the ground, raising her arms
 to the white sky of welcome home, 
crouching, bearing down, reaching for
 steady breathing and primal sound, 
alone but for the scurry and scamper
 of woodland creatures foraging for food,
 a safe haven from the relentless tide
 and crashing contractions, goddess pose,
 hint of a smile, a ringing in her ears
 as if always being called forth, a whisper,
 You can do this. Ice chips, soft hand, 
clammy forehead. You are not crazy. 
Pilot light in the belly ignited, shaky
 legs now steady, drishti on a dried red leaf, 
single point, breath rounding the corner
 from wilting to worthy, depleted to daring
 yes she dwells upon and not from, too tired 
to dream, then rises again, chooses again,
 her one wild and precious life, saving herself
 first—let the bleeding begin, loosen
 the tourniquets of fear—finally baring
 her teeth to the cold November wind. 
(2011)

Your Writing Prompt: Tell me about the transition. When you sit down to write today, begin with the words, "The transition was _________ than I expected."

Link to Jena's poem, Imagine:  https://www.jenaschwartz.com/blog