Writing for Mental Health: Five Basic Considerations
I like to think that I could recommend writing to some other people who have been subjected to a diagnostic labeling process that diminishes their hopes and potential. Indeed as emotional tension pulses through my back and appendages, I have found few other outlets that are there for me like the mixing and mastering letters.
Sure, I have been sent to a shrink for being who I am. Sure, I have been buried in institutions at different points of my life. Indeed life on that trajectory has filled me with loss and lack. But when all means of self-sustenance get stripped and I’ve found myself utterly incarcerated in emotional pain, I’ve been forced to find value in defining this. Initially, perhaps I found that appreciating expressive words through music really taught me a lot. Through that, as a teen, I started discovering the satisfaction that comes with the problem-solving that takes place in the editing process. Indeed for me there are few other recourses that rival writing in terms of learning about life and wellness.
Generally, I am committed to a structure of writing at least ten hours per week on the weekend and I think it is a good practice for me. Sure I am isolated. Sure sitting for that long isn’t good for my back. Sure, this means I have duties on top of the regular work stress. But in a world full of hostile external forces, perhaps other people besides me may find that they would rather share their creative muse on a page rather than with piranha people who are only going to assault and tear them apart. Perhaps they will find that writing mitigates the damage of life’s bumps. Indeed maybe writing can give them that sense of justice that allows them to be there for other people in a way that is wise and heart felt.
Sure, I say these things when I am out of the knee-deep hoopla. Sure, I found that job and maintained it hating half of what I’ve seen over the large majority of the past fifteen years. Sure, I now have other outlets. But perhaps there are some others like me who will find that they still need to get back to the page to address some of those things running through their mind. Maybe some others might feel they can do something about all the shit they see stirring throughout this bogged-down world that can further healing.
It’s true I am turning forty-six in the fall this year and am finding all those years of long hour survival days to be replaying themselves in my consciousness a lot. Sure. I find myself at the end of a stressful day of work saying that I am tired a lot more than I used to. And I worry about the future of social services and the potential repeal of Obamacare. I think often about how all the work I have put into fighting the system from within, building something real that people can trust might get defunded with the wave of a powerful pen. To me it feels like just when the funding is settling in so that we can evolve into a system that can fluidly address the needs of the community, we could lose big time.
That’s why I am considering starting a writing project on the unit where I work to celebrate what could so easily be lost. I say this, thinking that a writing habit can really augment wellness for others as it has for me.
On a regular basis, I listen to the most amazing stories of repression that are hidden from the mainstream. I think we have got to do something to get them out there, even if they are not going to make it in the mainstream media because they are real.
That is why I am scanning my writing experiences, particularly over the last seven years, when I have been honest about being a schizophrenic, for lessons learned. The following are five basic considerations that I might put forth to encourage others to use writing as an artful outlet for wellness.
I identify these five considerations not only for other people but to myself. As a writer who has only worked on building a following only for two years, I need to remind myself that what I am doing is good for me. Indeed, there are many days when I feel like nobody is going to bother to read what I have spent hours puzzling over. Of course I know that the suggestions that follow will not suit every writer, but it is my hope that they may help motivate some. At least these are things I tell myself to keep myself going.
One, write originally to get real things out of your system and feel better. This prevents one from getting writer’s block and helps me feel grounded about the world’s rocky and shit-stained terrain. Just get it down on the page even if it is imperfect. Writing for me isn’t always about the natural rhythm of true inspiration. Yes, there are times I get tired and need to get away from what I am doing. But I also often presume that when I am struggling that it is for a valid reason and that I can learn about it through muddling through. If a writer has that warm belief that they have something worth getting at, make the time for it. Have faith.
Two, be authentic, honest, and play with words. Don’t be embarrassed over the silliness of your initial quandary. Be humble enough to show yourself as an ass. Remember, writing is a learning process and the reader will appreciate the growth you show during the process of your work. And it doesn’t hurt to take enough time to bumble around with description. If you are a geek, like me, and have fun bumbling around, don’t be shy. Let the shit rip. You can always go back and make it concise and to the point later. Let this satisfy your need for socialization temporarily. Then, get away from what you’ve done and come back, going over it repeatedly.
Three, in using multiple drafts, learn to solve problems. Personally, I have learned to embrace the fact that I don’t like reading because if god wanted me to be that way he would have given me better attention so that I could appreciate it better. Instead, I learn by going back over my own thoughts, exploring my soul, and trying to shave down my blither to some form of truth that I can take forward. There is plenty of learning that comes from reviewing material and even if no one reads it, it just may help center you and direct your life in a healthy manner
Four, maintain empathy for people who have hurt you, using your writing to help them as well. Half the time I am motivated to write because I am a schizophrenic and can’t believe how hurt I have been. Though it might seem like I write just because I want to unveil my transparent truth, I know myself well enough to know that this isn’t a simple process. A lot of the times I have been hurt it is because someone has slandered me through gossip and I can feel those lies coming through in personal interactions that become my negative thoughts. My need to unveil this puts me at risk of slandering others and doing this only makes me look like a hypocrite. People ultimately don’t want to read snarky self –absorbed hate that isn’t even real. I have made this error on some occasions and when I look back on it may not promote health and wellness. I’d argue that if a reader can see this in my work, it means I haven’t given the piece enough time and gone back and through it enough to heal. In my opinion, writing for mental health helps promote peace and having empathy for people who have hurt you and the humility of acknowledging this is part of the purpose of writing. Recently, I have learned about the curse of Allah. I realize that if I am careful with my expression that I can address social ills in my writing. The curse of Allah is about vexing someone who you believe might be guilty of hurting you. If you are wrong and the person isn’t hurting you in the way you imagine they are, they will not be affected by the curse and it will not come back on you in a vengeful way. I recognize this as giving me some spiritual guidance in my writing process. At least I know that others have dealt with this for millenniums before me.
Five, write to celebrate survival. Both writing and surviving the shit clouds that can follow you around in life can put in your path is about being grateful for existence and the journey. I believe that if you keep this in mind that enough people will appreciate what you put forth. It’s possible that others will even relate to what you’re going through. Now that’s something to appreciate!
