The Psychology Behind Therapeutic Writing . . .

(Originally published at Degrees of Maternity on January 26, 2023.)

. . . is that it’s supposed to make you feel better. That’s the simplified version of the whole outcome of participating in this activity.

So, I’ve attempted to uncomplicate the psychology of therapeutic writing by suggesting that problem resolution should be the impetus for engaging in this form of writing in the first place.

But, the psychology IS complicated, yet and still.

Because, before an individual’s problem can be solved, that individual must first recognize that he or she has a problem staring him or her straight in the face.

Sounds elementary my dear, doesn’t it?

Well, it might; but believe it or not, acknowledging that some things aren’t right with your world can be a very difficult undertaking for many.

Or, let’s just say that (maybe, just maybe) the individual, in question, has come to terms with the existence of a problem that’s been knocking on the door for some time now.

But here’s the problem with that problem . . . it’s been left unresolved. No action has been taken on it for whatever reason.

It’s possible that the problem was dropped off at Procrastination Station. Or perhaps, it’s been tied up in the Land of Disassociation and Inactivity . . . a land where problems are ignored and written off like they don’t belong to anyone.

(Hey, could that “anyone” be you? If not, I know I’ve succumbed to the inactivity bug more times than I care to share. “So tag, I’m it!”)

But, do we really want to put up residence in that unforgiving land, where the problematic elephants in the room are never quite tamed? They just take over, endlessly roaming around and stomping out any hope of true solution resolution.

Well, what I’m here to tell you is that those of us, who intend to put some much-needed action into “righting the wrongs” in our lives, know that challenges can be overcome with the write (I mean . . . right) steps in place and worked through in order to arrive at problem resolution.

We just need to vacate Procrastination Station and the Land of Disassociation and Inactivity.

And, writing therapy can be one of those steps, leading you to life-impacting solutions, if you let it. It just takes action on your part.

In fact, expressive writing (to self) for healing purposes has a way of organically getting you to the root cause of issues in your life, so you can address them.

It’s quite miraculous how it leads to results, too. And, I can’t even adequately explain (in words) how therapeutic writing can make you feel better. It just does.

It’s almost like you have to just get in there and experience the process for yourself. And you’ll see what I mean. You won’t be able to explain it either.  The unadulterated psychology behind writing therapy isn’t even something I think we can wrap our finite minds around completely.

Because it deals with our mindsets.

There’s no way we’ll really be able to fully grasp the complex workings of writing therapy on the psyche. And you’ll ponder over how something so simple as writing can somehow make you feel freer and better and more hopeful that there’s a silver lining in the whole problematic situation you’re encountering.

It’s just phenomenal!

But, what really takes place in the brain to make us associate a need to resolve unresolved issues simply by writing?

I don’t have the answer for this; but if you do, please enlighten me. Because the mind is a fascinating topic — well worth investigating if you have the wherewithal.

Oh and by the way, writing therapy isn’t a magic pill, either. It just boils down to you unapologetically baring your soul (to yourself) in the written word.

Again, it’s mind-blowing to think that something as readily-accessible as writing down what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling, while being completely honest with yourself, has an overwhelming propensity to bring you to a place of problem recognition and cognition (the initial step toward problem freedom).

So, my question is:

Are you ready to take some action in life on those areas where you’re at point (don’t want to be here), so you can actively move toward point (got to get there someday real soon)?

If so, let’s get moving. I’ve already signed on for the writing therapy experience, and next week starts the real work-in-progress activities we’ll be journeying through together.

Problem recognition and cognition is our starting point.

So, let the work begin!