Reflecting Back, Looking Forward: A New Year's Writing Workshop

If you're hoping to reflect on the year that has passed and start thinking about the year to come, join us for one or both of these drop-in writing workshops facilitated by Preeti Kaur Dhaliwal. Whether you struggle to find time to pause and reflect during the busy holiday season or you would simply like some prompts and support to kickstart your reflective process, we would love for you to join! You do *not* have to identify as a writer to attend.

Dates: The same workshop will run at two different times so you can choose the day that is best for you: Thursday, December 26 at 11am PST/2pm EST and/or Sunday, December 28 at 10am PST/1pm PST. Both sessions will offer opportunities to reflect on the year that has passed and begin considering intentions for 2026.

What to expect: In these New Year's sessions (90-100 minutes), you can expect to enter a facilitated space where you are invited to write with the support of prompts, techniques and strategies to dive deeper into yourself, your voice, your memories of 2025 and hopes for 2026. There will be opportunities to share your words, but never any obligations. If you're looking to exercise your creativity, great! If you don’t identify as a creative person, this is still the right place for you! We will co-create the space in which we write, and experiment with different ways to find your flow. You will never be required to follow the prompt, perform the exercise or share your work, but will always be invited to listen to your body and make a decision that’s best for you. Please come with a pen and paper, device to type on, or a pencil to draw with if you don’t feel like writing. Activities focus on creative writing, and also include optional mindfulness and/or grounding techniques.

Please note that this workshop is not about creating a list of New Year's resolutions; however if that's something you like to do, then it could serve as a starting point!

Cost: This workshop runs on a sliding scale of $25-50 (fair price is $35). This allows you to enter the amount that is suitable for you and also reduces the fees charged by Eventbrite. If you prefer to pay in CAD, please contact the organizer to set up an alternate payment method. If cost is a barrier, contact the organizer to see if any partial scholarships are available.

Limited Space: There are only 10 spaces per session and all drop-in workshops have sold out this year so sign up soon! If the date you want is full, please take a look at the other date or add yourself to the waitlist!

Accessibility: Live transcription can be enabled on Zoom for these workshops. It ranges from 60-80% accuracy. Prompts, goals, agreements and time checks can also be pasted in the chat. Unfortunately ASL interpretation is not available for this event.

About the Facilitator

Preeti Kaur Dhaliwal (she/her) is a writer, facilitator, (former) lawyer, child of immigrants and sometimes college prof who grew up on the traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations (colonially known as Surrey and North Delta, British Columbia). With 20 years of facilitation and teaching experience, Preeti is committed to arts-based methodologies as a source of personal and collective empowerment, transformation and community-building. She has taught creative writing at Guelph-Humber College, led arts-based workshops across Canada and the US in various institutions (including universities, law faculties, women's spaces and youth centers), and firmly believes that stories change the world by altering our ways of seeing, feeling and being with one another and the planet.

Preeti’s poetry collection is forthcoming with Brick Books in 2027 and her creative writing has appeared in PRISM international, Looseleaf, Canadian Notes & Queries, Humber Literary Review, ti-TCR of The Capilano Review, The Fiddlehead, The New Quarterly, We Were Not Alone: A Community Building Art Works Anthology and numerous other publications. She is a two-time writer in residence at Voices of Our Nation (VONA), Deer Lake and Banff alumna. In her academic career (BA, LLB, BCL, LLM, MFA), Preeti has combined law, theatre, performance art and creative writing to investigate race, history and pedagogy. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and has received over two dozen awards for academic excellence and community work, most recently the DF Forster Medal.

[Photo taken by Ella Cooper]

Testimonials from Previous Workshop Participants

“What a gift to spend my Sunday morning with Preeti, to be seen, heard and affirmed in the words I'm putting on the page. I can't express how much I needed this today. Thank you so much, Preeti.” - Our Stories, Our Voices Workshop Participant

“Preeti concisely provided the set-up, jumped into the heart of the workshop, and created many opportunities for all voices to be heard. The exercises were meaningful and accessible.” - Drop-in Workshop Participant

“I couldn't think of a better way to kick-start my day than writing with Preeti. She brings care and love to everything she touches. I left the workshop feeling energized and grateful for the opportunity to connect with my writing practice (and other writers!) in such a supportive space.” - Kai Fig Taddei, Writer and Workshop Participant

"My writing has been limited to academic and expository formats for decades. I don't offer myself the time or permission to express emotions, be vulnerable, share lived and felt experiences or be creative in my writing. Preeti skillfully and thoughtfully creates a safe, respectful and inclusive space that honours my hesitant, cautious and self-edited voice and provides opportunities for deep reflection, exploration, curiosity and forgiveness. Preeti holds space gently and generously through meaningful community agreements, nourishing breathing exercises, melodious music and reflective and impactful writing prompts. I leave the sessions feeling uplifted, valued, seen and heard and with a strong desire to share my unedited voice. These sessions have been a profound part of my self-care and soul care." - Angela Ma Brown, Anti-racist Educator

"Preeti has a way of creating such an inclusive and warm environment. The writing workshops are interesting, creative, and always stimulate my mind and decrease my stress levels. I have attended 3 sessions now, and Preeti always has new and innovative writing prompts to respond to. These workshops are incredibly important and help bring a sense of community and creativity to McGill Law." - McGill Law Student

"I felt my creativity start to bubble again and I'm excited to take what I experienced and let it guide my writing." - Drop-in Workshop Participant

"This morning was a breath of fresh air. Preeti welcomes us all in with a generosity that feels like home. So much gratitude." - Drop-in Workshop Participant

“I truly enjoyed connecting with others and the positive space that you created. I had a renewed interest I'm writing and will continue exploring this creative side of me. I hope to be able to attend a future workshop!” - McGill Law Student

“These workshops are such a gift to me. They lessen the loneliness and isolation I experience. I feel part of a community for which I’m so grateful. I honestly couldn’t recommend them more.” - Drop-in Workshop Participant

“Being able to enter a flow state while writing. That feeling was special.” - Dalhousie Law Student

“I appreciate the calmness it brought me, and the legitimacy of a scheduled activity helps justify spending time on myself.” - Law Student

"I reconnected with my purpose, which is the journey. I'll spend time thinking about which destinations are more important to me now and how to take the first steps toward them." - Drop-in Workshop Participant

"I appreciated the prompts, the accompanying music, the opportunity to hear the poem in multiple voices, and the gentle strength with which you, Preeti, created and held our container." - Drop-in Workshop Participant

"Equal parts structure and flow, and the drop-in option always draws me in out of curiosity. Even when I have nothing to contribute, I feel the offering of my gratitude for such a magic and respectful space is honored." - Drop-in Workshop Participant