For those who didn’t know already, as well as those lucky enough to not need to know, I have learned that there are many times to manage the ups and downs of life, that does require paid therapy. I am by no means shaming those who need therapy. There were times in my own life when I really needed such help and was grateful for it. However, I also discovered that reading and creative writing can serve as personal outlets for relieving stress, managing all types of pain, and regulating one’s emotions.
Reading- no matter what kind of books that you’re interested in- can provide a pleasant escape from the pressures and unpleasant parts of life. However temporary, absorbing oneself into another world can help a person disassociate from pain. It can also allow for emotional distance, in order to process complex emotions. In my own life, there have been times where I really needed private reading time to process emotions and pressures that were overwhelming me. Absorbing myself in a story distracted me enough that I was able to come back to my problems with a refreshed mindset.
Similarly, writing allows me to release some of the tension in my personal life. I have often detailed, and therefore dealt with, pain through my writing projects. My characters deal with similar struggles that I have, although somewhere altered. For example, I describe such things as panic attacks and migraines from personal experience. I can even inject them into my writing while they are happening to me. This unconsciously releases my tension and allows me to push the pain away; giving me some level of relief when other methods don’t work. For those in similar situations, I recommend that you hold on to whatever gives you joy. These are a small part of your blessings. Hold on to them! May God bless my reader and allow this post to give you hope!