Many people use writing to heal from the pain and problems of their past. Painful feelings expressed into words uncap a pressure and undermine a power that can bring us down. My clients and friends often write me to release this pressure. The proverbial “getting things off your chest” can be just the ticket to get through a hard moment, or a difficult day.
Naming a problem in words gives it distance from the immediacy of you. From this distant point problems can be looked at from a new perspective. The author becomes an audience to him or herself. And as the observer one can respond differently.
“Writing separates the words from the saying of them.”
Michael White
Writing Heals the Soul
But I think most importantly, people can feel that someone out there knows what they are going through. And this makes them not so isolated in their pain. So many people in pain spend much of the day hiding it, adding a persistent loneliness to the mix. Telling someone who won’t judge can take the edge off the solitude pain brings. Also reader can respond with love and or kindness, helping warm the heart.
Many people’s writing adds beauty and hope to the world. This gorgeousness comes from a friend…
The seeds of sorrow
are flowers waiting for Spring
Love can’t stay buried
Vincent Santo Ferrau
Writing To Heal Book
We are currently looking for testimony from y’all who have used writing to help them get through a hard time. If you are interested, please, please, please take time to answer the following questions in the comments or privately in email to writingtohealbook@gmail.com.
1. When did you start writing and why?
2. How did it help you? (Be as specific as possible.)
3. What kind of writing do you do?
4. Have you let people read it? Why or why not?
(Optional) Would you like to share a short excerpt? (~100 words)
Writing To Heal Examples:
These are excerpts from some recent messages to me. Some of these sound sad, but I “double listen” when I read them. I hear the pain, but I also hear the flip side which is ever-present, too. I hear the love for others and the desire for love. And while I acknowledge the pain, I respond to this most important part. If you read on, see if you can double listen, too.
“It’s not just her potential that I love, although I do want us both to try to be the best versions of ourselves as possible. I love her, good with the bad. When I pray, it’s for the strength to be able to let go and move on, and for her to be able to love herself.”
“Sometimes I just want to rest to stop thinking and I imagine myself any place where I can be taken care of.”
“I know I have to listen to my Spirit Guides and just slow down but I so wish this could all be lifted off me right now. I am so tired of fighting this battle! Right now I’m afraid I am going to lose.”
“With hugs I wish I could hold on to forever.”
“When I read the quote, it was as if my grandmother sent it to me. It was her talking to me. Her way of reminding me that I wasn’t unloved (as I have been feeling). She & my grandfather still love me & are with me, even though they have passed on.”
“I just couldn’t take it anymore and I decided to email you for some relief.”
“I sat here, in front of my window, looking out at four inches of freshly fallen snow in the beautiful morning sunshine, with tears coursing down my cheeks … but I did not feel at all unhappy. And I don’t think I was crying, per se … more like letting something go?”
“Because I’ve been going to see Patricia (my personal therapist) and I haven’t felt better. What makes you think that you can help me when she couldn’t?”
“Crying reading this again yet so thankful and happy that we are keeping his memory alive…he was a great Dad and person and I
miss him so much. Thank you Jodi…he is praying for us one and all as we pray for him!!!”
“Hi, I am still hurting very much & feeling the need of validation. This has exhausted my day, and I am ready to let go of the rage.”
I will leave you with some good quotes for Presidents’ Day…
”America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”
– Abraham Lincoln
In lieu of commenting if you can be so kind as to contribute to our book. You may do in the comments or privately by email. We would love to have you part of it and since it will be an e-book, we can provide links back if you have a blog or website! Bonus!
Here they are again:
1. When did you start writing and why?
2. How did it help you? (Be as specific as possible.)
3. What kind of writing do you do?
4. Have you let people read it? Why or why not?
(Optional) Would you like to share a short excerpt? (~100 words)
We will be using writing at the Reclaiming Your Soul Healing From Sexual Abuse Retreat.
“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” This is such a great quote and one we should remember more often.
Kelly Hashway recently posted..Monday Mishmash 2/18/13
I love it too! It says it all!
Absolutely Jodi!
Writing IS therapeutic, and it does wonders – at least for me. 🙂 To answer your questions –
1- I started writing when I was quite young, and the best way I found to express myself was through my letters to my parents. I used to see my Mom write and she had a flair for writing too (I guess it runs in the family!). More so, once I knew that I had a way to reach out and connect with others, it became a hobby that led to the creation of my blog, and me becoming a professional writer and blogger. 🙂
2- It helps me to release my feelings,emotions, and share my experience. By doing so I try my best to help others through all that I share in my work at my blog.
3- Any and every kind. I guess that’s what being a freelance writer is – isn’t it?
4- Oh yes…people do visit my blog in great numbers and am grateful that they appreciate what I share, which I get to know from their wonderful comments and feedback.
Thanks for sharing, and for the opportunity. 🙂
Thanks Harleena for your contribution! <3
1. I started writing little stories when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I started journaling when I was a young teen, then wrote all the way through school, mostly fiction. I did it because I enjoyed it, but I think I was also trying to rid myself of pain, or distract myself from it. I started blogging in November 2011 because I wanted to share my experiences of having OCD and depression.
2. Writing helps me feel less alone. I connect not only with readers, but with myself. The more I write about my experiences, thoughts and feelings, the better I understand myself. Putting my words down on paper gives me something to “work” with, to think about and ponder.
3. I am working on a memoir. I blog. I write at work, where I’m a newspaper reporter. I write something each day.
4. When I started blogging, I allowed people to read about my OCD and depression and the ways they affected my life. It was amazing to get positive feedback from readers who were going through similar experiences or who had helpful and kind things to say. I love the connections I’ve made with others through my writing.
Tina Barbour recently posted..Getaways that help my depression: A guest post on Wendy Love’s blog
Tina,
I love how you say writing helps you connect with yourself. I know just what you mean!
<3
1. I started writing in high school. I wrote poetry to help me deal with abuse at home. Now I keep a journal of my feelings. It helps me to remember things & track my emotions. My mood tends to swing in crazy directions for no apparent reason. Now I can understand (a little) triggers for my moods. Just started this. I write in a journal & use apps to track my emotions, moods & triggers.
2. The poetry helped me communicate with a school counselor in high school. I found a way to express my feelings in a safe way. Now my journal helps me remember things & communicate with my therapist. It helps me keep track of my mood swings & triggers. I write everyday–except when I am in a deep depression–like right now. I don’t know why, but I have no desire to write during a bad depressive episode. I took me over a day to convince myself to contribute to this. This is very hard for me. I can look back on my journal & see the time frames of when I did not write & I know I was in a deep depression then.
3. Besides my journal, I have written articles for other people’s blogs – as a guest blogger. I want to start my own blog, but I don’t know if I have the energy to keep up with it right now.
4. The only person that knows about my journal is my therapist. It was her idea. She reads it all the time. I like that she reads it & sometimes makes copies of it. It makes me feel like she is interested in my life & I’m not just another client (or number) on her conveyor belt of clients. I am a very private person & no one else has access to my journal. I am not close enough to anyone else to let anyone else read it.
Thanks so much Mary for contributing. It is so helpful!
While I don’t think I write to heal, at least not yet, I do write to vent and figure out my feelings. It helps a lot. I don’t think I have much to contribute to your book, but I would love to read it!
I love your venting! It cracks me up since I can relate! <3
This is my first time on your site. And I am loving it!
I only discovered how healing writing can be in the past few years. I have since written two books. And the funny thing was that each time I decide to write a book, I would be triggered into situations that took me into deeper self-healing.
I hear you. Writing, even fiction, has the power to do that.
HI Jodi
1. I use to write short stories from the very young age.Professional writing started when one of the client asked me to prepare the technical documentation of the software and it all started from there.
2.It helps me to share my personal experience.I now make everyone enjoy posts with my comic writing.
3.I mostly write technical stuff for the software and I write comic posts for my blog.
4.Yes through my posts I have been able to make people enjoy and their comments says it all.
Thanks Jodi for the opportunity.
Sapna
Thanks for contributing to the book!
I DO def write to heal.
Without words, poetry, literature, & God…. I would have parished long ago.
Love you, Jodi. Xx
PS. that cat’s face is PRICELESS.
My Inner Chick recently posted..I Rise I Rise I Rise
And you help others heal, too xoJ
Jodi, did I ever tell you that when I was going through my divorce, I was in group therapy where the focus was on writing to heal? There were six women and each of us was dealing with a different kind of crisis (I think only one other was divorce related). Anyway, each week the therapist would give us a class assignment and a take home one. Bottom line, I loved this therapy and it helped me so much. Writing helped us all move beyond our pain.
Monica recently posted..The Egg and I
I know you wrote a lot about your divorce in the begining of the blog and since you don’t much anymore, this must signify a transition in your whole being now that some time has past. I will go back and read some of it. It is still there? I hope so!
xoJ
Hi Jodi, when do you need this by? I’m sure I can find something, I always use writing to process things, but not much comes to mind right now in terms of healing. Maybe just this http://muminsearch.com/2012/05/power-of-art-change-way-feel/, but it’s got an element of painting in it, too. I’ll try digging up some more examples!
That’s great Tat. This will be helpful! Maybe by the end of March. We’ll get the book wrapped up in the end of April! Thanks!
I can’t believe I didn’t remember earlier… I just lost a pet and the disease was not pretty (I’ll spare you the details here, I had nightmares about it for a few nights). To shift my memory I used writing to describe all the beautiful moments we had starting from the time he was a tiny playful bunny. Focusing on the way I wanted to remember as opposed to what was in front of my eyes last helped tremendously.
Tat,
This is a great example and a great exercise to help focus the mind in getting through. So sorry about your loss. That bunny was lucky to have you!
xoJ
Like most I have been writing for a long while, but I didn’t get serious about my dream to write until I made my dad a promise that I would take up pen and pad and pursue my passion seriously.
brenda recently posted..Writer’s Job Description
And we are all so glad you share with us your passion!
xoJ
It was a sudden encounter on Google search? to see a worthy stress free sight to read and come out of all hazards that we face…
Thank you, Joshua!
1. When did you start writing and why?
I can’t remember exactly when I started writing because I think it goes back to my first years at school. Writing was the only way I had to express my feelings. My writings were usually letters, sometimes to specific people, other times to my imaginary friends.
2. How did it help you? (Be as specific as possible.)
It helped me a lot and still do. It helps me see things more clearly. After I write something, I can read it as an external reader and analyse it without letting emotions be involved. I see clearly after I write. It also helps since I usually tend to keep things for myself, and by doing that, a small issue always looks worse than it really is.
3. What kind of writing do you do?
It is usually about my life, my feelings, emotions, my own story.
4. Have you let people read it? Why or why not?
In the past, I never allowed anyone to read my letters but one year ago, I started a blog and started sharing…
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Thank you, Nikky!