Can Writing Lead to Personal Breakthrough?
Writing started as a coping mechanism for disappointment but led to unexpected results
In late 2015, I ran my first (and only) half marathon. This accomplishment was a miracle in itself. I’d never been athletic and had only taken up running a couple of years prior after years of overweight laziness. In my mind, I’d finally arrived at a place of wellness.
Not long after the race, I was diagnosed with a badly herniated disc and several other back issues. Following my diagnosis, I became increasingly depressed and struggled with anxiety. These were new feelings for me. The sudden absence of runner’s dopamine, coupled with physical and emotional pain took a toll.
For months, I lived in a chronic state of sadness. This was peppered with unpredictable episodes of anxiety. It was awful. My spare time, spare as it was, had been consumed with running and its benefits. Something else had to take its place if I was to begin a journey of healing.
An appointment with creativity
Around mid-March 2016, I hatched a plan to buy a domain name and start a blog. As a high school English teacher, my love of writing had fallen dormant. The demands of my job and personal life took precedence.
In April 2016, my first blog was born. At first, it was a random series of ramblings on life, disappointment, and faith. The blog helped me navigate complicated feelings stemming from my injury. It was a digital journal of sorts, a less brazen companion to the private journals I was also keeping.
Giving voice to my feelings through writing produced a healing effect. Eager to jot down my ideas, I found myself excited again after months of emotional malaise. Learning how to build my website and put together an editorial calendar of ideas had a healing effect on my mind and heart. My body slowly followed suit.
Spark became flame
As I gained readership and people began responding to my online work, it became clear my pain had a purpose. The struggles and lessons stemming from my injury resonated with readers. What an unexpected blessing! Encouraging others in the midst of my own pain further amplified my own healing experience.
The therapeutic benefits of writing soon evolved into a passion to write. The desire to create grew. Ideas flowed easily. My social media presence increased as I continued to share my work.
In time, I narrowed my blog’s niche to “pursuing faithfulness in the little things.” This was inspired by a developing theme after my injury—little things are vital. The way we approach small things is a barometer of the way we approach big ones. Realizing this truth continued helped me learn new things about myself.
What lies ahead
The therapeutic nature of writing in times of difficulty has cultivated my passion to pursue it as my next career. As I near retirement from teaching, it feels like a natural transition. I’m currently writing for Substack, my blog (on occasion), and am working on a novel.
Without a debilitating injury and dark emotional times, this unexpected personal renaissance wouldn’t have been possible. I’m grateful for how disappointment played a role in reigniting my love for writing.
Perhaps you will find writing can help on your own road to healing. Your words matter. The story that brings your words to the page matters. Whether you choose to share your writing or not, it’s important.
Tips for therapeutic writing
BE HONEST — Above all, pour out what’s inside. Don’t hold back. You may choose to do this in a journal where nobody else will read it. That’s okay. Coming to a place of raw honesty about your feelings and fears is a liberating, albeit painful, process. Part of being free of what binds us lies in naming it. Name your pain. Put it on record in writing.
BE CONSISTENT — Whether you choose to write each day, weekly, or somewhere in-between, make it a habit. In the same way you keep an appointment with a doctor or mechanic, make an appointment with yourself to write. It doesn’t matter if what you are writing is intended for publication or will remain private. Process and practice matter. Perhaps a cup of tea in the morning as you write will help jump start the day. For some, a glass of wine and writing in the evening may work best. Just find your “time” and stay with it.
BE OBSERVANT — Read back through what you’ve written after doing so for a while. It’s likely you’ll begin to see patterns. Recurring topics and emotions may come up to reveal how you’re doing. Looking back at my old journals, I see evidence of things I no longer struggle with. Occasionally, old habits and thought patterns still creep in. Being aware of them and addressing them is part of the healing journey.
BE WILLING — Perhaps you’ll eventually feel comfortable sharing what you’ve written. Consider sharing your work with a trusted friend. You may even decide to publish what you’ve written. Your writing could become the catalyst for someone else’s healing. Listen to your heart and assess how sharing might impact you and others who read it. You’ll know when and if the time is right.
BE RECEPTIVE — If working through a season of grief or some other difficulty isn’t alleviated by writing and reflecting, consider seeking help. By no means am I suggesting that writing is a cure-all for everyone. You may need professional support in addition to writing as therapy. Writing just happened to play a major role for me and led me to a personal breakthrough. I hope you find the same.
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
In what ways has writing helped you?
Who’s your favorite writer/author?
