Writing and Well-Being (Part 2)

In my last post, I talked about the connection between self-expression and physical well-being, and I shared how I first recognized this was real in my life. I strongly believe a connection between self-expression and mental health is true, too.

Some of you have heard my stories—even experienced them along with me—of being stressed and depressed while I was still in my corporate job. Deeply in debt at one point, I couldn’t see any way out of the situation. So, I hung in there while still trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to keep up my writing practice, sometimes doing morning pages before work, sometimes journaling at night before bed, giving my novel attention only on vacations or weekends.

I could maintain that for a while, but a work deadline would arrive, causing me to work 60-70 hours for weeks on end, totally blowing my writing practice… and we know how hard it is to return to a habit once broken.

I would come out the other side of those work-deadline marathons haggard, depressed, even angry (another story). My sleep, my relationships, my behavior would be impacted for weeks after.

One morning, I struggled to get my grumpy, miserable self out of bed and showered. Preparing for the long drive to the office, I felt my husband watching me from his vantage point at the kitchen island.

“You aren’t writing, are you.” It was a statement, not a question.

He somehow knew, but not until that instant, did I fully understand the role my writing plays in my mental health. It was a true wake-up call. Even when life is a whirlwind, writing is my saving grace. Needless to say, I got back to it. My husband happily noticed.

Prompt: Reflect on times when you were--and were not--writing regularly. What were your circumstances at the time? Consider: What was happening internally, e.g., your self esteem, your motivation and energy levels, your attitudes, your values, etc.? Also, what was going on in your job? your relationships? school or other activities you were engaged in then? In retrospect, did your writing practice--or lack of it-- affect your general mental fitness?