Writing without restraints and without expectations is genuinely good for the soul. Allowing your feelings to pour out onto a piece of paper or a Word document is so freeing. You’re writing out your thought process, allowing yourself to feel and compartmentalize and validate those feelings. Writing creatively is refreshing and can help you on your healing journey.

I often like to write little parts of myself into my fictional works. These are typically things that I am unsatisfied with in real life or experiences that I believe my fictional characters can benefit from. When I do this, I often find myself writing what I wish I was told or writing a better outcome for my characters. And this is healing for me. Even though it isn’t fully my experience, feelings, or thoughts, there is enough of me in the writing to make it feel as if someone is comforting not only my character but me as well. I find myself more relaxed and at peace when I do this because it feels as if I am getting the happy ending or words of affirmation I desired.

Poetry is often the writing of choice when it comes to writing about our feelings because it is so expressive. We are able to discuss the things we do not wish to say out loud. Using lofty language and imagery can also help us better understand exactly how we felt or how we currently feel. Also, it’s easier to write our true thoughts and feelings because there isn’t a guaranteed audience. No one has to read what you write; it can be just for you. However, you can also share it with the people you want to understand your experience. Having a creative outlet to do this instead of trying to articulate it verbally can help you describe exactly how you felt. Simply telling someone you were sad does not compare to showing them through your writing that you were isolated, distraught, and in complete disarray. Personally, a lot of my hard-hitting conversations have been initiated only because I wrote my thoughts out first before confronting the person. I do this because I know that I would be unable to fully articulate myself if I didn’t write it out beforehand.

Following prompts that encourage introspection can also help you heal. You don’t have to rack your brain trying to figure out what exactly you are repressing because the prompts will help you work through it. There are many journals you can buy and many free prompts online that you can use for this.

You should frequently put time aside to allow yourself to reflect, feel, and compartmentalize your feelings, thoughts, and reactions. It helps to understand yourself and what might have made you upset during the day or week. Why did you react that way? What can you do better next time to ensure you don’t repress your feelings or lash out? Writing creatively can help you dig deep and heal from what you either assumed you already healed from or haven’t yet healed from. Your true self is worth rediscovering, and you can do so through writing.