Don't let your fear of writing deprive you of its many benefits.

Writing is therapeutic, and today is the perfect day to try it. Psychologists say, if we don’t express our emotions, we eventually become physically or emotionally ill, so however way we can, we need to get those feelings out in the open and name each negative emotion that we identify. This way, we can challenge negative thoughts and change the way we respond and behave. Writing is the best form of expression because it sparks our creativity and allows us to solve problems more effectively.

Self-expression is liberating, so just do it. While writing on our own, there are no teachers, no correct or incorrect responses and no mistakes to be made. Only genuine expression of thoughts and feelings. When we are able to express ourselves honestly and openly, with no fears of being discovered or criticized, we can identify negative emotions and question or challenge negative thoughts. When we address our emotions through writing, we are able to effectively solve problems and build self esteem. This leads to stronger emotional competence.   

So many of us fail to see the benefits of writing. We become paralyzed when asked to write because we remember the difficulty we had in high school or college. Our inability to adequately express ourselves in writing led to receiving a “B” or “C” or maybe even a “D” after putting hard work into an assignment. Because we felt undermined or diminished by the low grade, we lost faith in our abilities and lowered our expectations. Goals like, “I want an ‘A’ in the class became, “I just want to get out of the class.” Once out of the class, we became opposed to writing under all but the gravest circumstances. We blamed teachers for their incompetence in teaching us, and we blamed our lack of intelligence for our failures. We allowed negative thoughts about writing to deprive us of its therapeutic value.

We never experienced the benefits of writing because we never saw it as a trusted friend. Writing can be a best friend because it allows us to express our deepest fears and fantasies without telling a soul, without inciting fear, and without causing embarrassment. Writing allows us to express opinions in private, no matter how politically incorrect they might be. Writing allows us to reflect on unforgettable moments or to review past thoughts and behaviors no matter how unacceptable. It provides a means for clearing the mind of problems or discovering our negative thinking patterns. Most of all, writing allows us to express emotions that might be hidden deep in our subconscious minds. Uncovering and addressing our thoughts and feelings improves our emotional health. Hidden emotional illnesses like depression are more easily discovered through writing as a form of self-expression.

Research tells us, emotions must be expressed and will find a way to be expressed, for better or worse. Writing allows us to get in touch with our feelings, honestly express emotions, identify negative thought patterns, and observe negative self-assessments. Writing is therapeutic for many reasons.When it comes to writing therapy, the best place to start is exactly where you are. Write about activities, thoughts, goals or accomplishments. Write about fears or fantasies. Reflect on an unforgettable moment, or describe the way you feel now compared to how you felt as a child. Self-expression through writing is a habit, and like any habit, practice makes perfect. Tap into your inner resources via writing and build emotional strength.