Words on Paper
Since the nation is left with a lot of free time on our hands because of a world-wide pandemic, there is no better time to pick up or continue a hobby. Recently, I started creatively writing again after I stopped because of piles of academic work. I had forgotten how much writing relieved my stressors that I come to face daily. Creative writing unfolds an outlet to reveal fears and worries without judgment. Putting introspections down on a piece of paper or in a journal has therapeutic benefits that include increased happiness and reduced stress. Growing up, I was super shy and could never express my feelings; I always found it easier to put my words on paper. This has helped me communicate everything that I was bottling up and make those written words into something powerful. I would go through my journals and find words that stood out to make it into a song, a poem, or a painting.
I convey my written work on social media to see if my words speak to others as well. Social media has provided me with a support system and a reminder that I am not alone, or my feelings/thoughts are ‘normal’. I am inspired by many motivational accounts on social media, whether it’s just a quote or someone else expressing how they feel through words. Throughout the day, my mind can become stimulated with thoughts. I would take a moment to write down goals to help refine thought processes and clarify my aspirations. Writing provides me with self-realization and the motivation to achieve my goals.
The pandemic has been affected this hobby but positively. I had stopped writing, not because I grew out of it but because my plate was so full, I couldn’t make time for myself and what I wanted to do. During the semester, I was at my lowest point and continuously wondered why I have so much anger, and sadness bottled up in me. I had so many thoughts scrambling through my head, so I picked up a pen, dusted off my journal, and screamed with words on paper. This pandemic has opened my eyes because through the negatives; there are positives. I have faced challenges after challenges throughout 2020, which has made me adapt and overcome situations. This time has forced me to grow exponentially, and it’s something that I won’t take for granted.
Expressive writing has helped many communities and people through hard times in life. This has helped many others cope and move forward or start a social movement. Many authors appeal to emotions and feelings to persuade an audience. They use dramatic monologues to convey an intrapersonal lens into the inner pain in the human emotional experience. Many authors speak out on issues of BLM or the LGBTQIA community to inspire equality. These writing patterns engage the audience and other writers who possess similar problems that many face in today’s society.
Overall, creative writing has helped not only me but also the communities that face societal issues. Words on paper provides others with a voice even when they can’t express it aloud. Writing is a form of therapy that makes me ‘nerd out’.