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September 12, 2016

Can Writing Help Heal?

18 Comments/ 150/ 1

Can writing actually serve the purpose of healing?  Yes.  Without a doubt the answer is yes. I have experienced the healing power of being able to sit down and write out words that heal my heart and heal my soul.  Most of the time those words never are read by anyone other than me but there is something  therapeutic in writing .  I believe there are many other people who feel the same as I do.

Creating in any way is a way to express feelings.  Where there is hurt and deep pain the creative process can allow that pain and hurt to come out in a healthy way.  Artists do it. Songwriters do it. Writers do it.

I was recently reminded of the powers of using the written word by one of my all time favorite authors Jess Lourey.  I found Jess through a Minnesota blogger friend, Bernie, who blogs at One Mixed Bag.  Bernie and I actually met in real life and she is as fun and entertaining in person as she is in her writing. She told me that I had to read Jess’s Murder by Month series and after reading May Day I was hooked.  Hook, line and sinker.  Jess’s writing is witty and humorous and precise and her skills shine through on every page.

What I didn’t know when I first read May Day was the back story.  Now I do and it makes me love her even more.

Jess recently did a Ted Talk and I am including the video at the end of this post because it is so worth watching. If you don’t have 10-12 minutes now bookmark it and come back and watch it later.  Her words are not just for writers.

Jess has also just released a new thriller which I have on my To Be Read list (what ISN’T on that list?) and I can’t wait to read it!  Salem’s Cypher looks to be another amazing book.

Before you go let me know in the comments section what helps you to heal when healing is needed.  Is it writing?  Is it creating in some way?  Remember all comments go for our current Comments for a Cause.

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18 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Dawn
    September 12, 2016 at 09:18 am

    Oh yes…writing let’s me release some pent up grief from time to time. Or pent up anger. Sometimes it’s just pent up something or other that I can’t quite label. Or a combination of everything.

    When my parents died a friend asked me if I was tired of explaining what happened to everyone. That it must get me upset. And I thought for a minute and then said no, I actually liked talking about it, because it took a tiny bit of grief from my shoulders and transferred it to others, made my load lighter and easier to bear. That every time I told someone I felt a little better.

    I still believe that. And blogging is one avenue to make my personal load lighter, to help me feel better, and a way to ensure people don’t forget them.

    Which is what everyone wants, to tell their story so that it is not forgotten.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:35 pm

      You hit the nail on the head–everyone has a story and everyone needs to be able to tell it in the way that makes sense to them and to others. It is important to be allowed to share what is on your heart and yes—sharing it does make the burden lighter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot to ready what you shared.

      Reply
  2. Dawn
    September 12, 2016 at 09:40 am

    PS: Just listened to her TED talk….important and helpful information she shared.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:34 pm

      Thanks for listening. She really has a great story to share.

      Reply
  3. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    September 12, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Thanks for sharing Jess’ talk. I, too, find great healing in writing.

    I read and reviewed one of her books years ago when I was writing reviews for a regional MN mag. I need to read Jess’ writing again.

    Thanks for starting my week off with this wonderful reflective post.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:33 pm

      I love Jess and her spirit and her writing but after viewing her talk I really appreciated her even more. Her words resonated and I felt like she really was able to use her life experiences in a creative way that helped her to heal as well as allowed others to be entertained with her witty writing. I think we all find different ways to express our feelings and writing is one of the best ways I know to do that. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

      Reply
  4. Darlene Foster
    September 12, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Writing has always helped me through things, not just my books as they came later in life, but through my journals and letter writing over the years. For my daughter, it is her pottery that has helped heal her. I remember when she made a series of sad pots after her divorce. I knew she was getting better when she stopped making them.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:31 pm

      I can see that your daughter’s pottery is her perfect way of creating and working through things. I love your observation about her sad pots. That was exactly what she needed to do to work through her own sad time. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  5. Christi
    September 12, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    I agree, writing can help so much. Mostly, I think it’s made me both calmer and more reflective. Especially when I write about things I’m upset about, not only am I able to work through it, but sometimes I’m able to see how foolish I’m being.
    Oh, and sometimes I get a blog post out of it, so that works too!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:30 pm

      Christi, I totally understand. Sometimes I write things out and then I see how I have let something or someone “get” to me and there is absolutely no reason for that to happen! It gives me perspective when I need it most and if I just hold off on making it public it is a good thing. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts today!

      Reply
  6. josh
    September 12, 2016 at 01:02 pm

    Great post! Huge fan of the talk, what a neat lady.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:27 pm

      She is amazing. Simply amazing.

      Reply
  7. Judith
    September 12, 2016 at 03:46 pm

    Oh Beth Ann I just know that writing helps me. When I was faced with the very sudden death of my new love last year I was able to write through the tears and the love and support that came pouring back was just incredible. I talk about him and write about him often. Sometimes the writing is for me only and sometimes it’s shared. Thanks for this pos.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 12, 2016 at 04:27 pm

      Judith, I think you are so right–writing DOES help and I can not even begin to imagine what you experienced in losing someone who was loved by you. I often write things that no one else ever sees but they definitely help me process. Thanks for your thoughts.

      Reply
  8. Meg SB
    September 12, 2016 at 08:07 pm

    Sorry for your pain and loss. Thank you for your willingness to help me. I just recently realized that when I write I do feel better but had no confirmation of this until now. Hugs to you, you really helped me smile all the way to my heart today for the first time in a while. Blessings!

    Reply
  9. Priscilla King
    September 13, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Writing is how I process everything in life, whether it needs healing or celebrating. I write therefore I am. I am therefore I write. And yes, the majority of the words I’ve written have been private and not processed through any device that connects to the Internet.

    Reply
  10. Kayleigh
    September 16, 2016 at 09:48 am

    I go through different methods to achieve release. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I design and occasionally I write.
    There doesn’t seem to be a pattern to it, but always something creative!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      September 16, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Kayleigh—I totally agree. Sometimes the creative spirit comes out in different ways. I make greeting cards and sometimes that is the ticket to expressing my feelings. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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