Writing is Healing

Writing is a powerful tool and can act as a bridge between the inner and outer worlds. Everyone needs to make meaning of their lives, this is particularly true of trauma survivors where self expression is often trapped within the body unable to be verbalised, sometimes it is good to do some mediation or Breath-works before writing to open up pathways between mind and body. When this is followed by writing it can be the beginning of self-discovering.

The following are suggested writing methods to begin self healing:

> Writing a simple list of words to describe your feelings can help you to heal, the act of writing them out onto the paper allows you to feel that your pain is leaving your body and is left out on the page.

> Write a letter, (with no intention of sending), to a person from your past that has done something to you that you see as hurtful. You are free to express your true feelings “telling” the person how their words or actions hurt you.

> Write a poem or short story that shows your pain, this can help the healing process. The piece can be beautiful or just a something that is true to your feelings, either way it provides an emotional outlet.

> Finding others in a safe environment really helps – for example joining a workshop virtual or face to face. Being supported to share your words is powerful, being heard is exceptionally empowering.

Remember, never give upon yourself, as author, Maurice Carlos Ruffin says:

Maurice Ruffin

“You have to walk on faith, it doesn’t matter how dark the path seems . . . keep walking that path, you’re going to find someone who is going to want to hold your hand, hold a flashlight and say, ‘I got you, come on.’ So, don’t ever, ever give up.”

and

“The first thing a writer has to do is forgive themselves for all the feelings that held them back. Only then can we get on with joyous writing, which is often a healing process”.

– Maurice Ruffin

Advertisement