Annie and Amanda were inseparable, the kind of best friends who shared everything, including a promise to move to Hollywood after high school graduation to pursue their dream of becoming famous actors. Their lives were planned out together. But one day, everything changed when Amanda had a sudden accident, falling and sustaining serious injuries. In a moment of panic, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, Annie fled.q Later, Annie came to believe that Amanda died after she abandoned her, solidifying Annie’s decision to change her identity and stay in hiding.
Unsure how to process her feelings about leaving her best friend in a moment of need, Annie wrote a book that included elements of their relationship. The writing, it turned out, was therapeutic, allowing her space to sort through her feelings and temporarily escape her reality. Annie couldn’t talk to anyone about what she’d done, and she could not return to her past life, but she could use creative expression to process her feelings.
Writing (fiction, nonfiction, and autobiographical) is frequently and effectively used as a therapeutic tool. It can help people gain mental clarity, improve self-esteem, and express feelings.
Here are tips for using writing as a tool to process feelings:
Externalize the Story: Write a story that mirrors reality or incorporates similar elements to gradually expose the writer to these feelings, helping to process them in manageable doses.
Write a Different Ending: When we're trapped in our thoughts, it’s easy to overlook other possibilities, leaving us feeling stuck. Creating an alternate ending can help us recognize the road not taken as a viable option, unlocking opportunities that once seemed closed.
Focus on Meaning: If your writing is rehashing, you are probably stuck in a cycle rather than evolving. To experience the full benefits of writing, try incorporating lessons learned, insights, and moments of growth.
Process with a Professional: Writing can evoke raw emotions in some people, making them feel more vulnerable. In such cases, working with a therapist can help process feelings that arise during the creative process.