Why Try Writing as Therapy?

Contrary to the common misconception, writing is not just for authors and poets who effortlessly pen down their thoughts on paper. It is for everyone. Rightfully written by Julia Cameron in her book The Right to Write, “we all come into life as writers.” Writing is an underrated tool that is capable of making a huge difference in everyone’s life.

This blog revolves therapeutic writing. We understand that the thought of penning down your thoughts and feelings can be terrifying. And it is difficult to think clearly while you are stressed. But to benefit from writing as therapy, you don't have to be a skilled writer. 

So, what is Therapeutic Writing? 

Therapeutic writing is a type of expressive therapy wherein the process of writing and analyzing the written words is used as therapy.

The process is pretty simple: write whatever comes to mind without filtering or evaluating it. Don't worry about whether it makes sense or not, if it's confusing or boring, or whether it is grammatically correct. Your writing piece is solely yours! You don't have to be concerned about content, structure, or errors and typos for this. Writing as therapy, in any format, will assist you in propelling personal growth, practicing creative expression, and feeling a sense of empowerment and control over your lives. 

Wondering how exactly does it help?

We are no strangers to the potential of therapeutic writing. Writers and poets who have documented and recalled the cathartic feeling of putting pen to paper are proof enough.

Depending on your mood and needs, there are multiple writing therapy approaches to pick from. Research has shown that gratitude journaling helps with better sleep and increased motivation while writing poems creates self-awareness and sparks creative thinking. Self-reflection and dealing with negative feelings and experiences can both be aided by reflective journaling. It helps people become more self-aware and empathetic.

At times, you will experience writer’s block, and you will fall short of words to communicate your emotions. This could be your reasoning mind fighting, 'saving' you from having to open up and introspect. Don't force yourself to write when this happens. Even if it's only a few phrases, try to expose your emotions. Continue to try the next several days; you'll be stronger, and your perseverance will support you in untangling your emotions via writing.

Writing about what bothers/hurts you will assist you in recognizing it, comprehending it, and then dealing with it. 

At the end of the day, the feeling of simply picking a pen up and pouring your feelings out on a notebook is unmatched!

If you don’t know where to start, head on to our blog ‘7 Journaling Tips for Beginners’ for tips and prompts!