Our Story
During an especially challenging period of her life, Janna Brayman Krawczyk, M.A.T., began writing in a journal as a catharsis, which bloomed into a necessary and life-enriching habit. After writing regularly in a journal for the past 20 years, she has lived the profound and somewhat mysterious effects of writing as a way of creating a fulfilling path. Because of this, she is moved to share this practice with others through Our Lives, Our Stories.
She earned a BA in journalism from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a Masters of Teaching from Hamline University, for which she designed a study to explore how the practice of journaling affects the stress and lives of urban teenage mothers. The culmination of her research was nominated by the faculty at Hamline University for the 2009 MAT Capstone of the Year.
She teaches journaling as a therapeutic art form and wellness practice to high school students, teachers, and therapists throughout the Twin Cities, as well as private journaling classes and workshops in her studio, the Zen Adventure Treehouse, in Minneapolis.
Former and current clients of Our Lives, Our Stories:
Presenter: “The Art and Therapeutic Benefit of Journaling”
2011 MN Community Mental Health Conference, “Purposeful Strategies & Practical Skills“ for the MN Association of Community Mental Health Programs. Duluth, MN.
The Art of Life: Journaling as a Wellness Practice.
Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, MN, 2011.
The Art of Life: Journaling as a Wellness Practice.
South High School, Minneapolis, MN, 2007-2011.
Recipient of a microgrant through MN Women Venture, and the “Great Streets Grant,” enabling Our Lives, Our Stories to launch our website in May, 2009: www.ourlivesourstories.com
The Art and Therapeutic Benefit of Journaling.
Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN, April 2008
Journaling to Our Children from Conception On.
Blooma, Edina, MN, 2007.
Our Lives, Our Stories: A Journaling Class for Kids.
Minnesota Transitions Charter High School, Minneapolis, MN, 2007
Our Lives, Our Stories: A Journaling Class for Kids.
Minneapolis Police Activities League (PAL), Minneapolis, MN, 2006