Writing As a Coping Mechanism
I can attest to the fact that life can throw some curveballs our way. From the stress of work to the challenges of raising children, and taking care of family members, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and in need of a way to cope with it all. And for me, writing has been a huge help in coping with life. Writing isn’t the only thing I use, but it helps to get thoughts and emotions out that would otherwise go unchecked.
Writing has been a constant in my life, a way to work through my thoughts and feelings, and a tool to help me work through anything life throws my way. And while I may not be a published writer, I’ve found that the act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) has been incredibly therapeutic.
One of the things I love most about writing is that it allows me to express myself in ways I may not be able to verbally. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the right words to express how we feel, but when we write, we have the time and space to really explore our emotions and put them into words. Just writing this post there has been many edits. Moments of pause to find the right words to articulate what I want to get across. When we are speaking, to ourselves, to friends, to family, or even on a vlog, we don’t have those moments to think of the right words. We usually just blurt things out. Sometimes not even mean what we say. Writing gives us that moment of pause, to really get into the feelings and emotions and then fully describe them in a beautiful way.
Another great thing about writing is that it can be done anywhere, at any time. Whether sitting in a coffee shop or waiting in the carpool line (which I don’t do, but I know some people do this), you can always find a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. And when I’m feeling particularly stressed or overwhelmed, taking a few minutes to write can be incredibly grounding. We all have these days. Perhaps just screaming it out on the page or just creating a story that can understand where we are going with the feelings we are experiencing.
Of course, writing isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you find yourself staring at a blank page, unsure of what to write. But that’s when you remind yourself that it’s not about producing a masterpiece but the act of writing itself. You can see my other blog post about freewriting here. Sometimes, just the act of putting words on paper can be enough to ease your mind and help feel more in control.
And let’s not forget the power of humor. While I may not be a comedian, injecting humor into my writing can be incredibly cathartic. Whether poking fun at my flaws or finding humor in a stressful situation, laughter is the best medicine. We need to let ourselves see the brighter side of it all.
Ultimately, writing has been a constant in my life for a reason. It’s a tool that has helped me work through my feelings, cope with stress, and find a little bit of joy in even the most difficult situations. And if you’re looking for a coping mechanism of your own, I highly recommend giving writing a try. Who knows – you might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of when you put pen to paper.
