Writing as Therapy: Power of the Pen

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and we stay locked up inside, it is nice to have a hobby to fall back on. Writing is something that is perfect for a time like this. Writing is a way to express one’s thoughts and feelings on paper. It is something I enjoy to do from time to time.

It is a great outlet for people who are introverted or have social anxiety, and a great way to escape the stress that comes from work and daily life. Even though most writing today is done on electronic devices, I sometimes like to take the traditional route of writing with a pencil and a piece of paper. I get enjoyment from writing something, sharing it with others, and getting their feedback.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to topics to write about. You can choose to write a journal entry every day, talking about what you did that day and how you felt. Sometimes, rather than bottling up your thoughts and emotions, it is best to get them out by journaling. I’ve done this a couple of times, and I have noticed myself feel more relaxed and calm after doing so. You can get creative and write a story. It really makes you think outside the box, and can be an opportunity for you to share your writing with others. If you enjoy researching and learning new things, you can read about a topic and then write about what you learned. What you wrote becomes something for you to reference back to when you want to remember more about the topic you researched.

I think that some people may fear writing because they may make mistakes within their writing. However, if you are writing for pleasure, I think that you should prioritize enjoyment rather than worrying about small errors in your writing style. Also, the more you write, the more you develop and improve that skill, which can be beneficial for you in the future. Writing about something you are interested in is the best way to make the writing process fun and enjoyable rather than it feeling like a chore.

Here is an article that discusses the benefits of writing as therapy: https://www.psycom.net/mental-health-wellbeing/the-healing-power-of-writing

--BitterSweet Coaching Guest Writer