Writing therapy is more of a holistic practice than many people realize. Writing requires mental activity, physical activity, and has a spiritual benefit. Proven to reduce stress and lower anxiety, writing therapy offers us a way to look deeper into our feelings and find clarity in the events of life we find confusion. Supporting our practice of self-reflection, we have a greater sense of motivation to turn to our writing time to take care of ourselves and bring more peace to our spirit.
For the wonderful practice that writing is, it is easy to get discouraged from writing and not want to write at all. Writing can be viewed as a task, a habit, or a requirement. In the addicted mind which is generally hardwired to rebel against consistency, writing feels like too much pressure. Writing is a safe haven, a private space for intimate vulnerabilities to be expressed. Getting motivated to write is something that professional writers- people for whom writing is their passion, their livelihood, and their job- face every single day. Moving out of resistance and into action is the key for motivating your will to journal, do writing therapy assignments, and share your writing with others.
Write About What You Want, How You Want
Writing is a creative therapy and a creative expression. You might feel taxed by the idea of starting with “Dear diary” or “I am grateful for” everyday. Choose a format that excites you and use that narrative to express your feelings. Try prose, poetry, epic story, or even haiku. Within those formats, discuss what you want to discuss. You’ll find that in writing, your humanity always comes through in unexpected ways, especially when you’re trying not to write about your feelings.
Be Your Own Best Supporter Not Critic
One of the greatest downfalls of every writer is being their own worst critic, rather than their greatest supporter. Instead of criticizing your writing and assuming it is even worse than you think it is, it is critical to support your writing by owning it. Your writing is your voice. What you do with your voice belongs entirely and uniquely to yourself. What you write is a product of you. This part of writing therapy supports other areas of recovery and treatment of addiction in learning to accept one’s identity and feel empowered in being themselves.
Writing therapy is one of the many modalities we offer at Cypress Lake Recovery as part of our integrative approach to treatment. Restoring balance, cultivating confidence, and rejuvenating mind, body, as well as spirit, our programs offer excellence in addiction treatment. Crafting the balance of life enriching treatment with wellness and relationship building, our clients find a way of life that is sustainable for long-term abstinence. Call us today for information: 866-217-2636
