Hello! What a month it has been. Since our launch in early March people have been asking how they can participate in our organization - and the good news is, it all starts with you.
We are here to encourage you to share your stories, whatever they may be, however out there, however intense or silly or insane. This is an opportunity to free yourself through writing. We have devised these prompts to give you a jumping off point, but by all means be creative. Go off the rails. Respond to as many of these prompts as you choose, suggest your own, or share anything else you would like. This is about YOU as a human, so there are no wrong answers.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Pick a prompt and share a story - write your truth!
2) Send it as a word document, pdf, or in the e-mail body to confessions@theconfessionstand.org - if you want to be COMPLETELY anonymous you can use a third party e-mail service to ensure your privacy.
3) Tell us in the e-mail whether you would like your identity to remain anonymous, and if you do NOT want your writing to be adapted into a short film piece.
As we collect your stories, thoughts and confessions we will amalgamate them into characters and present them as short films on this site. All voices are welcome. No story is too big or too small to keep inside. This is a judgment-free zone - tell the world how you feel!
Happy writing. We hope to hear from you soon.
~The Confession Stand
1. When in your life did you feel the most alone? How were you able to break out of that state?
2. Have you or someone close to you ever had a noteworthy experience with prescription medication? Was it beneficial? Were there side effects?
3. Have you or someone you know ever been diagnosed with a mental or emotional illness? If so how did that affect your life? If not, was there ever a time when you felt alienated or like you weren’t “normal”?
4. What is the most difficult challenge you have been able to overcome in your life thus far?
5. What is a secret you hold – big or small – that you have never told anyone? If you are not comfortable sharing, why do you think you are holding on to your secret?
6. Have you ever seriously thought about ending your life? What was that experience like? If not, have you known someone who has?
7. Write an open letter to your parents. What is something you always wanted to tell them but were too afraid to say?
8. Do you consider yourself a happy person? How do you think you can create a happier world for yourself and others?
9. How do you identify yourself? How do you describe yourself to others? How is this different from the way you perceive yourself?
10. What is the most life-changing experience you’ve ever had?
11. Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend or loved one? What happened? Were you able to forgive?
12. What makes you angry? If you could change one thing about the world/your reality, what would it be?
13. Have you ever been in love? How would you describe that experience?
14. What are you most afraid of? What do you do to avoid pain? How do you think you could overcome your fear?
15. What is your experience with death? Any stories that stand out? How does thinking about mortality make you feel?
16. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? What was the thought process behind it? What did you learn from the experience?
17. Who is/are your hero(es)? What did you learn from them? What would you like to say to them?
18. What do/did you like most about school? Least? Any specific experiences that stand out?
19. What is your favorite story or joke to tell? Is there one you tell over and over again?
20. What gives you anxiety? When have you been most crippled by anxious thinking?
21. Do you have a recurring dream or nightmare? Have you ever had a lucid dream? Or describe the craziest dream you can remember.
22. What is something – a story or characteristic – that no one would ever believe about you?
23. What would you most like to change about yourself, your situation or the state of the world?
24. Have you ever seen a mental health professional like a therapist or psychologist? What was your experience like? Did it help?
25. After responding to these prompts, how do you feel? Was writing these feelings and stories a helpful exercise for you? Do you have another outlet that allows you to express yourself? What is the best thing you do for your mental health?
We are here to encourage you to share your stories, whatever they may be, however out there, however intense or silly or insane. This is an opportunity to free yourself through writing. We have devised these prompts to give you a jumping off point, but by all means be creative. Go off the rails. Respond to as many of these prompts as you choose, suggest your own, or share anything else you would like. This is about YOU as a human, so there are no wrong answers.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Pick a prompt and share a story - write your truth!
2) Send it as a word document, pdf, or in the e-mail body to confessions@theconfessionstand.org - if you want to be COMPLETELY anonymous you can use a third party e-mail service to ensure your privacy.
3) Tell us in the e-mail whether you would like your identity to remain anonymous, and if you do NOT want your writing to be adapted into a short film piece.
As we collect your stories, thoughts and confessions we will amalgamate them into characters and present them as short films on this site. All voices are welcome. No story is too big or too small to keep inside. This is a judgment-free zone - tell the world how you feel!
Happy writing. We hope to hear from you soon.
~The Confession Stand
1. When in your life did you feel the most alone? How were you able to break out of that state?
2. Have you or someone close to you ever had a noteworthy experience with prescription medication? Was it beneficial? Were there side effects?
3. Have you or someone you know ever been diagnosed with a mental or emotional illness? If so how did that affect your life? If not, was there ever a time when you felt alienated or like you weren’t “normal”?
4. What is the most difficult challenge you have been able to overcome in your life thus far?
5. What is a secret you hold – big or small – that you have never told anyone? If you are not comfortable sharing, why do you think you are holding on to your secret?
6. Have you ever seriously thought about ending your life? What was that experience like? If not, have you known someone who has?
7. Write an open letter to your parents. What is something you always wanted to tell them but were too afraid to say?
8. Do you consider yourself a happy person? How do you think you can create a happier world for yourself and others?
9. How do you identify yourself? How do you describe yourself to others? How is this different from the way you perceive yourself?
10. What is the most life-changing experience you’ve ever had?
11. Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend or loved one? What happened? Were you able to forgive?
12. What makes you angry? If you could change one thing about the world/your reality, what would it be?
13. Have you ever been in love? How would you describe that experience?
14. What are you most afraid of? What do you do to avoid pain? How do you think you could overcome your fear?
15. What is your experience with death? Any stories that stand out? How does thinking about mortality make you feel?
16. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? What was the thought process behind it? What did you learn from the experience?
17. Who is/are your hero(es)? What did you learn from them? What would you like to say to them?
18. What do/did you like most about school? Least? Any specific experiences that stand out?
19. What is your favorite story or joke to tell? Is there one you tell over and over again?
20. What gives you anxiety? When have you been most crippled by anxious thinking?
21. Do you have a recurring dream or nightmare? Have you ever had a lucid dream? Or describe the craziest dream you can remember.
22. What is something – a story or characteristic – that no one would ever believe about you?
23. What would you most like to change about yourself, your situation or the state of the world?
24. Have you ever seen a mental health professional like a therapist or psychologist? What was your experience like? Did it help?
25. After responding to these prompts, how do you feel? Was writing these feelings and stories a helpful exercise for you? Do you have another outlet that allows you to express yourself? What is the best thing you do for your mental health?