The Power of Writing as a Creative Therapy for Healing

dazzlement | Dianna Bonny Photography

Writing a blog is not unlike the age-old practice of keeping a journal. The major difference being that one doesn’t necessarily want anyone to happen upon the contents contained in the pages of a journal, where one has high hopes that many folks will in fact read a blog post.

I believe the magic of a journal is this: in dumping the monkey-mind chatter that endlessly ricochets around our head onto a blank page, it somehow seems to lose its power. Often, when the words are spilling out onto the page, ideas will come together and things might loosely start to make sense – a delightful bonus.

I don’t write blog posts with the intention of a mind dump. I always start with an idea and then follow the thread to find the lesson. It is very purposeful, although I really never know where I am going until I get there.

I kept a journal for most of my life, although some years were better than others. I had to be stealth as a child, because my mother had the unfortunate habit of reading my journals. It got me into trouble on more than a few occasions and made me a bit paranoid.

I consider journals to be sacred and private ground, a place where the heart can unfurl and make sense of the craziness we live in. Although tempting, reading another human’s most intimate thoughts is really something that should be avoided.

When I look back over my journals, I find a ridiculous amount of embarrassing repetition. Perhaps if I had paid closer attention, I might have corrected my course a bit sooner, but I remember feeling a sense of helplessness as to how to actually do things differently, even when I could sense the behavioral patterns. I notice a wickedly judgmental voice on the pages as well which most certainly short-circuited my connection to any inner wisdom.

As a result, I spent a lot of time spinning around in circles.

Writing the book and blog exponentially changed this circular motion for me. It was a subtle shift that I believe has everything to do with giving myself permission. Both permission to write, as well as permission to honor my experience, however it showed up on the blank page, minus any judgement.

Instead of writing to simply get things out of my head, I began writing with a mind to observe and be present to what appeared on those pages, and more importantly, between the lines. Writing created structure and order to the chaos of the swirling, turbulent happenings around me.

As I settled into a regular routine of this kind of writing with permission, I was able to tap into the wisdom of my higher self — the place that knows what it needs to heal. I believe we all have this reservoir within us and it patiently awaits our awareness and attention.

By letting my fears and despair show up uncensored and un-judged,  I was able to truly feel my grief, and move towards healing. Writing is akin to a divining rod in that way — it will find the pain. The job then is to be fully present, express what is discovered and let the wisdom bubble up to your conscious mind.

What could you change in your life if you donned your courage cape and began exploring the most remote and wild territories of your mind? Where is it that you most fear to tread?

I met a woman the other night who made a statement to me that I have heard often and it always takes my breath away. After she heard my circumstances, she blurted out, “Oh, I wish my husband would do that.” My hair stood up on end, and I gently replied, “No, you don’t. What you really wish is that you had the courage to change your life.”

Is there something in your life that seems insurmountable? Write about it. Ask yourself what you would do differently today if you had the courage to start living differently. And then just let the pen start streaming the possibilities.

Sending you all the love, truth and wisdom you need to begin living from your courageous heart and discover the contented dazzlement of surprise about your life.

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.

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