This week’s virtual session was a little quieter, a little more reflective—and in many ways, more personal than ever.
Michael returned to lead a conversation not just about English or storytelling, but about the power of writing itself. What does writing mean to us? When does it matter? Can it change something—not just in the world, but within ourselves?
To explore that, Michael posed a simple question: “What comes to mind when you think about writing?” And that’s where the magic began.
Feelings Taking Shape
One student responded, “A magic spell… where feelings are put into words, dreams take on flesh and blood, and a person feels lighter as they pour their feelings into lines.”
It was the kind of answer that made everyone pause. From poetry to blog posts, reports to Instagram captions, the girls explored where writing lives in their daily lives—and how it shows up both formally and emotionally.
Some talked about writing as a powerful tool for communication, especially when speaking just doesn’t feel enough. Others said they preferred talking, because emotions are clearer face-to-face. But even those students agreed that sometimes writing helps reach more people—or helps express what’s hard to say aloud.
Introducing Journaling: A New Project Begins
Towards the end of the session, Michael made a gentle proposal: what if we all tried journaling this month?
Not for grades. Not for anyone else to read. Just for ourselves.
He described journaling as “writing down what you feel, what you saw, what made you smile or made you mad.” Whether it’s beautifully decorated or just quick thoughts scribbled on a page, journaling, he said, can help us make sense of the world and ourselves. It can also become something powerful to look back on—proof of who we were and how we grew.
A Prompt to Begin
To get everyone started, he gave a writing prompt:
“If I could tell the world one thing, I would say…”
The responses were thoughtful and bold.
- “Love yourself.”
- “Be more respectful and kind to each other.”
- “Small steps lead to big things.”
- “It’s your life, not someone else’s.”
These weren’t just words. They were seeds. The beginning of stories that matter.
Your Voice, on the Page
As Carl reminded us at the end of the session, “You are your voice—for yourself, and for other girls.” Michael added, “Writing that stuff down extends that voice beyond just your voice.”
So here’s what we’re doing next: we’re inviting our BVG girls to begin a journaling project. Quiet or loud, colorful or plain—every journal entry is a small act of power. Of presence. Of choosing to be heard, even if just by yourself.
Because in a world that often tells girls to be quiet, writing is one way to say: I am here. And I matter.
