How a Writing Practice Can Change Your Life

I started writing poetry as a child. It began as simply as sitting by the window in my bedroom one night, jotting down all the sounds I could hear outside. As a poet and creative writing educator, I have seen how helpful reading and writing poetry can be in exploring ourselves and putting language to our experiences, traumas, and joys. Our bodies hold plenty of wisdom, and writing makes room for us to hit on those cavities of truth that are buried inside of us.

Even for experienced writers, the blank page can be paralyzing, making it scary to sit down and try to put words to our inner lives. My advice when starting up a writing practice is to start by writing stream-of-consciousness, which often comes quite rapidly. This will allow you to express yourself fully before your mind can filter out what it deems inappropriate or unacceptable. When we free the subconscious, we find those words that we have been wanting to say, but have not allowed ourselves to feel.Those thoughts that we judge the most in ourselves generally are huge assets in creative writing. In that sense, writing is a radical act. What we believe to be our biggest flaws and screw-ups become the most interesting parts about us.

Think about it—how often in life can you tell the total, relentless truth? When else do you have a chance to say exactly what is on your mind over and over again, no matter how weird it seems, or how others might judge it? A writing practice provides an opportunity for a catharsis that might otherwise remain inaccessible. Particularly in our culture, women are discouraged from telling the truth about our experiences. Writing provides a chance to free up those channels and connect to yourself fully.

Some other tips: Prioritize realness over perfection. Prioritize raw truth over beauty. Be patient with yourself. Push beyond the obvious. Let yourself get weird and free. And of course, read! The writers you love can serve as mentors for you as you peel back the layers of your own voice, and their work can be a constant source of inspiration.

Here are some prompts to get you started: 

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