How to write to cope?
I used to write poetry, way back in the day. (Like, 15+ years ago.)
I seem to have lost the touch of it. But I remember it being so helpful and not feeling constrainted. Like, I'm not sure if I'm overthinking it in my older age, but I'm struggling with how to do anything with it.
It's like, I can feel the words under my skin, but I don't know how to let them out or what to do with them. 'm not a skilled writer. I'm actually quite bad (see this post, exhibit A), but I want some way to let out what won't get out.
Thanks in advance! ❤️
For reference, I tried to write a poem today and woooow it was bad haha
@witchybirdie
I am afraid nowadays writing poems or photographing are like having a social media account: everybody can do it, but rarely anybody has something really interesting to say.
If your writing is meant to be therapeutic: how about daily journaling? Not concentrating on the smallest details of the events, but on your reflections and emotions. Though some not too epic descriptions of your realities today may be great if you read you notes a few years from now - remembering the world you was living in "back in 2025" - then you see things which are different now in 2034 (your progress) and the things that remain unchanged (your identity).
Or maybe: do you happen to have a lot of memories? Because another idea is to write short stories based on your experiences, people you met and events of your life. By attributing it to someone else (the characters you imagine might not be the exact 1:1 copies of the real world) you can see it all in a totally new perspective.
And please, do not be worried too much about your style. The "creative" flourishing style itself can be really boring, but when you write truths straight from your heart, it is always gripping.
@witchybirdie
Seems like you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself to write words to meet some sort of strict expectation. Whether that expectation comes from inside or outside I don't know, but it seems like it's causing a lot of stress for you. I also write (though I don't try to write every day - only when I feel like it). When I start having thoughts about what is "good enough" it blocks me, too. It certainly doesn't feel good. What allowed you to write poetry years ago? Is that anything you can replicate now? Are there any other ways to cope with your emotions that feel more free to you?
@JustSophia
I do tend to put pressure on myself. I have no idea why I could do it when I was younger, honestly. Maybe because I didn't expect as much of myself then as I do now?
I have just been kind of journaling, instead of trying to write something specific, and that's been helpful, so I think I just need to stop with the pressure. I appreciate you.
@witchybirdie
That's great that you're figuring out ways to feel more free in writing. I'm so glad. Writing can be such a powerful tool, and I hope it really helps you to process what you need to.
For what it's worth... I don't know if this would resonate with you, but sometimes I write using prompts that inspire or challenge me, and that gets me going.
Keep writing!
