The Therapeautic Use of Writing

Many people believe writing is only for authors, journalists, poets, bloggers, etc., but it is there for all, and if you suffer from a mental health issue, it can help. I've talked about writing as therapy since I was around fifteen, and I amplified that message during a recent local radio interview.

We all enter life as potential writers, and, as the saying goes, everyone has a book in them, even if it is just their own story. Writing is beneficial because it can be therapeutic. It can also help us harness our thoughts and feelings and filter out the parts of our minds we choose not to share or discuss. 

Most of us speak in jingles, not complete sentences. In conversation, we often interrupt each other. Whilst writing, we can, through creativity and imagination, complete a sentence and, ultimately, a whole story or poem. For example, you will feel a sense of achievement or self-satisfaction—something you may not realise in everyday life. 

Writing is an escape from reality. It has many genres and styles and is *FREE*. 

You may not think you are a writer. Don’t worry. Practice! You don’t even need to share your writing. Write a letter to yourself. Invent a character. They will become your friend. 

By writing, you will discover your inner self. You will find yourself speaking through your written words via an alternative dimension. You will even become the protagonist in your own story. In a sense, you will discover who you really are. When writing, you will believe some other entity is controlling you. You will discover this is your subconscious, your creative soul inside you! 

You can choose your comfort zone. Explore the genres until you find the one you want. If you don’t have the confidence to speak out loud to just one person or a crowd, writing will give you the vehicle to move forward. You can become an expert on your chosen subject by writing non-fiction. For instance, you can become a master of an invention by choosing to become a fiction author. 

What you write will become your identity, especially if you decide to publish. It will boost your self-esteem and strengthen the connection between your mind, body, and spirit. You will find yourself building a strong connection between your inner self and your body’s outward movement.

We all have emotions; a large number of us suffer from mental health issues. There are fears and worries; even memories can cause stress, anxiety and depression. Writing can steer us away from these and offer some much-needed respite from our day-to-day demons. 

Writing can be a career or a part-time hobby. It can be incredibly powerful when you wish to express yourself. Embrace it, and remember: writing is therapy, and it could just save your life!