Joan Leof

Joan Leof is the author of the memoir Fatal If Swallowed: Reclaiming Creativity and Hope Along the Uncharted Path. A collection of 20 of her published personal essays appears in her book Maytryoshka: Uncovering Your Many Selves Through Writing. As the creator of Write to Heal, she facilitates journal workshops for groups and individuals.

Whittling Me Smooth

Craft, Aging, and the Beauty of Wood

The Stradivarius in the Spruce: Writing Heals

Let writing be your liberator. There may just be a violin trapped within you, ju…

My Wooden Bowl: Container of Contentment?

“I was intrigued three decades ago when I learned that Mahatma Ghandi ate all of…

Rocking Rocky: Finding a Peak Experience

How a Dog Changed My Life

Inspiration at 100: Lessons From Sarah, Ruby, and Sadie

Never too old: Inspiration from centenarians Sarah, Ruby, and Sadie—“I did not h…

Living a Full Circle, Aging, and Coming to Terms With Death

“Could they imagine that the bikini scar left across my pelvis after my uterus w…

The Shirt off My Back

Would you give the shirt off your back? This practice has brought the author joy…

Forest Bathing in My Own Backyard

“I am hoping the researchers are right when they say that breathing in and touch…

Keeping a Soul Print Journal

A unique approach to capturing special moments in your life.

Third Time’s The Charm

Sometimes, relationships take a few tries to stick.

Discovering New Kin

Collecting an imaginary album, where places in nature have made their mark.

Trees I’ve Loved

How nature can play a part in feeling at home and nurture your well-being.

Bead by Bead

A spiritual journey nourished by constant self-reflection and meditation mala beads.

How to Fully Embrace the Hype of Aging

The fountain of youth may be this collection of really old people.