Writing, Health, and Well-Being
June 28, 2010 by Lillie
Joanna Paterson at Confident Writing asked the question, “Can writing keep us well?” She’s running a group writing project through the month of July and invites bloggers to post about writing, health, and well-being.
As I described in a post about my love affair with writing, I always dreamed of writing “someday,” but it took a stroke to motivate me to actually start. While I was still recovering, I started a romance novel—about a woman who had a stroke. Although the story was fiction, many of the heroine’s experiences were things that had happened to me.
I owned an interior landscape company with more than a dozen employees. My brother and my sister worked for me as department managers, and with the help of my husband Jack, they kept the business functioning during the time I was hospitalized. Since I was the only salesperson, however, no new business came in while I was out. As we lost accounts through normal attrition, income was down, but expenses were up.
After I was released from the rehabilitation hospital, I returned to work immediately though I was still going through therapy several days a week. I was still in a wheelchair and had little stamina. My doctor said, “Normally I would never allow a patient who had suffered a stroke as severe as yours to go back to work so soon. But in your case, working will be be better for you than staying idle.”
The combination of the financial situation of the company and my physical condition made me wonder if I could rebuild the business. Of course, I had to appear confident in front of my employees and customers. If I had shown my doubts, they would have lost confidence—workers would have looked for more secure jobs and clients would have looked for a more reliable vendor.
My husband was supportive, but he never took my doubts seriously because he always knew both the business and I would recover.
So all my doubts and worries and frustrations went into my story. As I wrote about Debbie finding it difficult to muster enough energy to supervise employees, call on customers, and solicit new business, I seemed to gain strength to do those tasks. As I shared Debbie’s fear that she would fail, I became more confident that I would succeed. As I wrote the happy ending to Debbie’s story, I envisioned my own happy ending.
Most of my employees were avid romance readers—even the tough-looking mountain man who was our installer. We had been sharing books for years, so when my novel was published, everyone was eager to read it.
When they did, they all expressed surprise in statements such as:
- “Were you really that worried that the business would fail?’
- “I never realized how hard it was for you in those early days.”
- “You mean you really went through all that?”
It amused me when they couldn’t tell which events in the story were my real experiences and which were ones I invented.
I am profoundly grateful for the therapy of writing, which hastened my emotional recovery and quite possibly my physical recovery. Several times, I have re-read parts of Stroke of Luck and thought I should really revise it. I’m a much better writer now—at least I hope so!—and I can see much room for improvement. But the book came from my heart and filled a need in my life when I wrote it. Revising it would be like negating its healing experience.
So, in answer to Joanna’s question, I say: Yes, writing can not only keep us well—it can even bring healing.
What an inspiring piece Lillie. It’s so interesting to read about the way you channelled your fears and concerns into the emotions of your characters (not least as someone who doesn’t write fiction, I love hearing about how it works!)
Once again I find myself thinking: what a great spirit you have. It’s a pleasure to have got to know you.
Thanks for taking part in the project
Joanna,
Thank you for hosting this group writing project. It was a good reminder for me.
Lillie
I really enjoyed this post. What spirit you have! Thank you for sharing this inspirational story.
Marion Anderson recently posted..Disappointment – Keep dancing
Marion,
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Your story has inspired me. I have considered writing a book about being a caregiver. My husband has been disabled most of our marriage. I have always wanted to write a book for caregivers. I never thought about writing a novel with the caregiver being a character in the novel. That may actually be more healing because as you said no one would know what really happened and what was made up.
Julia M Lindsey recently posted..How Important Is A Resource Box and Why Do I Want One
Julia,
I know from experience that caregivers need encouragement. You can do that with either fiction or nonfiction.
At the time I wrote my novel, I couldn’t write nonfiction about my stroke for at least two reasons: 1) I didn’t know enough to share anything of value to others as I was just muddling through; and 2) I was still too close to the experience emotionally. Writing fiction helped me to express my worries and fears, yet be somewhat removed from the situation. Everything was happening to my heroine—not to me.
Journaling was helpful, but for anything someone else would read, it had to be fiction for me.
Writing can cleanse the soul and thus make the body healthier, it’s a kind of catharsis. Lots of inspiration here, thank you.
S
Steve recently posted..Response cached until Tue 29 @ 11:09 GMT (Refreshes in 23.98 Hours)
Yes, Steve, catharsis is a great way to describe what writing can do.
Writing blogs is a great way to release the things that are on your mind. Like they say, things that you hold in can weigh you down. My San Diego real estate blog has been a great way to keep momentum in my life. Appreciate your thoughts!
Geoff@ homes sale san diego recently posted..San Diego Homes Sale Prices Up
Geoff,
Glad you are finding benefits from blogging.
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Oh. I remember you writing about the stroke. I ddidn’t remember this part though.
Bluestocking recently posted..A Poser
Bluestocking,
I know I’ve mentioned my novel, but I don’t think I’ve ever gone into the therapeutic value of the writing.
I agree, it can heal and it can also help us to sort out our ideas and feelings about something. I think we should be careful though, writing done as therapy might not necessarily be suitable for others to read.
Since you’re a writer you might like to take a look at my blog about the journey to publication of my new YA fantasy novel, ‘Lethal Inheritance’. You can read ch1 of it at
http://publishersearch.wordpress.com/lethal-inheritance/
On the home page there are postings about writing, challenges of the writer’s life and getting published.
I thought you might enjoy it.
Tahlia recently posted..If I were a publisher …guest post by Cathryn Isakson
Tahlia,
You make a good point that writing for therapy may not something we would want others to read. I journal and would certainly not share my journals publicly. But in this post, I chose to focus on my experience with writing as therapy. And in my case, I did write a novel that was published.
Good luck with your YA novel.
Lillie,
Thanks for sharing your experience with writing for health and well-being. Writing really can be so therapeutic — whether fiction or non-fiction. Yet, as you’ve said, sometimes fiction allows us to delve more deeply into areas we might not be able to deal with directly. So glad you were able to use your writing of Stroke of Luck to help you work through the feelings and circumstances you were facing at the time. What a blessing!
Thank you, Jeanne.
I totally agree with you Lillie!
Writing has become my lifeline to dealing with my neurological illness. Spending so much time within my 4Walls can become quite stifling but writing affords me the opportunity to move through those walls and engage with the world once again.
It also helps me process this journey as I travel it each and every day.
The greatest blessing of writing for me, however, has been the ability for me to reach out through my laptop, touch others, and impact their lives through my words.
There is something incredibly wonderful and empowering about that.
If I haven’t told you, you are such a blessing to me. I am so glad that God caused our paths to cross.
After the wedding, I shall purchase Stroke of Luck and read it.
Thanks for this great post and for lifting my spirits tonight.
Dominique recently posted..Spiders- Sheilding and Suffering
Dominique,
You are a very talented writer, and your blog is helpful and inspirational—a blessing to many. I’m grateful that God led us to meet on the Internet.
Writing can be very therapeutically! Some of us have difficulties in talking with strangers about our feelings and problems, so we turn to writing. To me writing is a moment of detachment from all the craziness of the world.
Jenny,
You’ve described a couple of great benefits of writing.
I have a surprise for you on my blog today!
Thank you, Dominique! I’m honored and will pass on the award at the earliest opportunity.
very nice article,writing needs a very good memories and a lot of imagine.
anas recently posted..Credit Crunch Affecting Small Business Lending Leads Small Business Failure
Thank you, anas.
I find peace in writing. I have all sorts of fears and I need to write in order to break all those fears, even just a moment. Writing is like a therapy for me.
Sarah,
I think it’s the same for many of us.
i got impressed by the decision you took, even when you are not out of the stroke totally.I must appreciate you for your working spirit.your writing not only reflects the pain you took while you where ill but also shows your confidence level at work place.The topic you chosen to write looks new and skillful,from this i can surely say that writing makes us well.
Guruprasad recently posted..Eat Papaya for Good Health
Guruprashad,
Thank you for the kind words.
Very good post.I am really happy to know that you have benefited from blogging.When I get sad or depressed , I also like to write.It helps me alot.I must say its a inspirational post.Thank you.
Ryan,
I have benefited from blogging, but the post was really talking about how I benefited from writing fiction.
Very inspiring post that reminds me on my biggest disappointment in life. I have recovered from it because I have expressed myself though writing. Instead of telling it to a friend and always wrote my blogs something related to my life.
Shane,
It’s great that you were able to handle your big disappointment through writing. Another example of how writing can heal.
I really love you website. You seem like such a lovely lady.
Thank you for the lovely compliment, conner.
Yah I believe in the power of writing too.In fact I’ve been doing this before.I was actually an aloof person and I don’t really have the guts to open up my emotions with other people.This push me to turn my emotions into writing. It really helps me and it relieves the burdens in me.Thanks for the post by the way.
celine@harley davidson handlebars recently posted..Handlebars- prepping internal wiring Part 1
celine,
You’re another example of the how writing helps us as therapy. I’m glad it’s helped you.
I don’t do this so much anymore but when I had more time to write creatively I would begin by writing down everything that was worrying me at the time. That would allow me to release any emotions, thoughts or feelings that might stop me from my “proper” writing later on.
Jake,
Writing down all your worries is an excellent way to keep them from interfering with your other writing and even other activities.
Nice post.Writing apart from keeping you healthy, it also keep a person motivated.
Vinish Parikh recently posted..Functions of Central Bank
Vinish,
Yes, you are right.
As I read this post I began to relate to the words of inspiration. Oftentimes life throws us what appears to be setbacks. However, there is power in words and the written word speaks like no other voice I’ve heard. For me, writing is divine healing.
Shirley Kelly@Lanterns 4 Less recently posted..Mosaic Stained Glass Stepping Stones
Shirley,
There is definitely power in words. That saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me” is completely wrong.
In hindsight, was there any time in your life when writing made you feel frustrated about who you are? Like- you begin to compare yourself to others and undermine your capability to use words and turn them into stories? Well, I did.
Ron,
There are certainly times when I get frustrated over the results of my writing. However, I always find the process of writing is always beneficial, regardless of the results.
Hi there
I like your post
I’m really glad you decided to start writing.
I guess some times it takes something quite dramatic to move us forward onout journey in life. I write about this stuff on my blog at.
emotional healing
Peter recently posted..Going After What You Want And Emotional Healing
Thank you, Peter. I usually delete links within the body of the comment but since this is relevant to the post, I left it.
Great website and great article!
Writing can indeed be a profound healing experience. We can easily accumulate lots of negativity inside ourselves. Writing everything out can be a good way to release all that negativity.
Patrick@Law of Attraction Tips recently posted..Revolutioniz Review – The Best Book to Understand Clearly the Laws of the Universe
Patrick,
Yes, release of negativity is one way writing can lead to healing.
what an inspiring article. I admire the way you took what was a negative life event and overcame it to come out on top.
Sally@Indianapolis Real Estate recently posted..If you register your site for free at
Sally,
I’ve learned that sometimes what seems really bad at the top has positive results. And lying around feeling sorry for yourself makes things worse, not better.
[...] Writing, Health and Wellbeing Lillie Ammann @ A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye Writing is the best way I know of being your own life coach. Through writing you can achieve greater clarity about yourself, your emotions and the situations you find yourself in. When you can make sense of life you gain an inner peace and a calmer mind which benefits your mental health and indirectly your physical health too. [...]
I truly love reading about real life experiences, whether they are sprinkled with fiction or not. Your story is inspiring, and I would like to excerpt your post in my blog, if that is okay. Cheers to you, your recovery, and your heart touching life.
Colleen,
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate your excerpting my post and linking back here.
[...] I written before about my love affair with writing, and I believe writing is good for our health and well-being. [...]
Very inspiring post Lillie, I agree that writing does bring healing and help get out emotions that hold us down. Its good to get it out on paper or at least typed. Even if you have to press the delete button after.
James recently posted..Polar ft 60 Heart Rate Monitor Review FT60 watch worth it
James,
Excellent point about hitting the delete key. Sometimes we need to write something down, but we definitely don’t need to send it.
Great post Lillie. What an inspiring article. “writing can not only keep us well—it can even bring healing.”, this brings hope and inspiration to the ones who will read it. I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
Eric,
I appreciate your kind words and am glad you found the article ispiring.
I believe writing is very therapeutic and I make the effort to write for at least ten minutes, non stop every day.
It keeps my mind active.
I enjoyed reading your post. Very inspirational.
Philip,
I’m glad you liked the post and that you write actively and it benefits you.
Hi Lillie,
You know what actually helped you to get rid of that worse situation….It’s your will power, dedication towards your work and finally your writing. It is really an inspiring instance for all of us. Great work dear.
Thank you, Dia. Most of all, it was the Lord.
Hi Lillie,
Your story has inspired me. I have considered writing a book about being a caregiver. What an inspiring piece mate. It’s so interesting to read about the way you channeled your fears and concerns into the emotions of your characters.I really enjoyed this post. What spirit you have! Thank you for sharing this inspirational story.
sam,
Thank you for the kind words and good luck with your book!
Great post. Writing offers all of us a way to vent or expose real truths about every day life.
Greg,
Yes, writing is a wonderful outlet.
Wow, I what an amazing story. Sometimes, something will happened to motivate us to write. Writing really requires a lot of things before you can make it very effective.
Aiden,
When we use writing to help us get through problems in our lives, the act of writing is cathartic. No one else ever has to read it. It’s effective if it helps us think through whatever we’re writing about.
Inspirational, one can never tell what tomorrow will bring.
You are so right, kyle–life can change in an instant.
[...] a stroke similar to mine. The writing was not only the culmination of a lifelong dream, it was also beneficial to my emotional recovery. Writing itself can be therapeutic, but so can achieving—or even taking steps toward [...]