Writing can be a life-affirming, powerful outlet for all things emotional. Some of us have difficulty saying how we feel. Writing, or any other form of creative expression, can assist in getting in touch with your soul. It can be an outlet for getting any negative energy out. It can help release the pressure and chaos swirling around in your brain and expunge them onto a piece of paper. Release. This is how it works for me.
For those who know me now, know I am loud, vivacious, always talking. I tend to be outgoing and always wanting to dive into a controversial discussion. Love to debate. Love to discuss various world views. Not afraid of a challenge. Okay, so this next statement may shock some people – I wasn’t always like this. In fact, for those who have known me since I was younger know that I was nothing short of shy. The kid cowering in the corner, waiting to be seen? Yup, that was me.
One thing I always did was write. It was my outlet. I may not have been able to find the words to say out loud, but I could surely write them down. And write I did. About anything and everything. On any available piece of paper I could get my hands on — diaries, journals, note pads, in between taking notes during class, scraps of paper. I wrote random thoughts, poems, short stories … I even attempted a novel at age 13, but it didn’t quite blossom into anything more than a few random chapters that made sense to me at the time.
Writing was such a release and a source of power for me. I could write about whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and no one would know. These scattered sentences housed my own private world view. Writing has allowed me to find my voice. The words allowed me to explore things in new ways. They allowed me to explore myself in new and exciting ways. It is such an incredible feeling to magically connect words in ways that more accurately express my thoughts and feelings than my speaking voice ever could. Writing provided me with a sense of purpose and clarity in a world that seemed unreasonable and confusing.
Fast forward to the present day and I still write on a daily – if not hourly – basis. Now writing is even more of a source of release and control for me. I don’t feel complete or in control until I write my thoughts down. Seriously. I have about 2-3 journals going on right now and I fill each one up in about a month or so. I am currently working on about 31 blog post drafts. Taking notes at work is a must – in fact, I received an “Anal Retentive” Award at work for “taking endless notes at each meeting.” It was a proud moment for me. Countless lists, post-it notes, scraps of paper with my thoughts and feelings. If there were ever a spark in my home, we’d have a bonfire very quickly…. which reminds me, I need to reorganize and make sure my work is categorized safely in binders.
Writing has saved me. It can save you too, or at least help you feel a little less stressed. It’s an effective tool that can be used anytime, anywhere. Write down your dreams at 3am. Write down how aggravated you are after a grueling meeting. Write down how much you dislike a person. You can write these things down on a random scrap of paper and then rip it to shreds. The point isn’t always to keep a record, but to get the negative thoughts out of your mind. It can work just as well, if not better, as talking with a good friend.
Thoughts are powerful. Especially when you close your eyes to go to sleep, or need to concentrate on a specific task. By writing the thoughts down, you can take some of the power back. Stop the swimming swirl of chaotic thoughts that can overpower your mind. It’s a clear catharsis. A literal release of tension from your brain through your arm and hand, onto the paper. Incredibly powerful and liberating.
I have no idea where I would be without writing. Perhaps I would still be quiet and shy, without a clear voice. Holding in all of my opinions. I know a few people in my life who wouldn’t mind seeing me that way …
Filed under: Compassion Fatigue, Hope Notes, Mental Illness, Motherhood, One and Done, PerinatalMoodDisorders, Self-Care, Strengths Perspective, Stress Reduction
