In 2001, I started writing daily in a notebook. I never dated the entries and quite often they were not even whole sentences. This became my safe space. Here, I could write whatever I needed to without fear of recrimination. I could swear, write how angry I was with someone and anything else that I didn’t feel I could say out loud. Though I no longer write daily or in that particular notebook (though I still have it), I do still write down thoughts and feelings that are stuck in my head.

Writing these things down can also allow for reflection and objectivity if you read them back couple of days later. You may gain some clarity from reading them back, giving you an insight into how to resolve/process the feeling or issue that has led to these feelings.

This is a method I found that mainly offered temporary relief but in having that relief, I could move a little bit further forward in getting the help and support that I needed in the long term. It’s very hard to do this if you are being crushed by the weight of your own mind.

It’s easy for people to say things like “Don’t listen to depression, it’s a liar” but when these lies are all that your head is filled with, it becomes very hard to distinguish the lies from the truth. Writing them down can help with that.

It is not a method that works for everyone. Different things work for different people.

There is also a creative aspect to this. What you write may start to form a picture in your head that you could give life to through storytelling, poetry, painting and may other mediums. I have also found that sharing my experiences with mental health issues whether through writing like this or poetry etc. has been very beneficial.

We are not alone, no matter how alone we may feel. We are all walking beside each other.

Written By Lorna Smart

Blogger @Poemstellium

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