What Really Helps During Tough Times?

Recently, I ran a simple poll on my Instagram Stories. I asked: What helps you most during difficult times? The options were:

• Writing
• Meditation
• Talking
• Other

The results were revealing only 33% of people chose writing.

This surprised me at first, but then I realised something: maybe people weren’t thinking about expressive writing. There are so many different kinds of writing, creative writing, poetry, journaling, gratitude lists that perhaps I needed to be more specific. So, let’s dive into what expressive writing really is, and why it can be one of the most powerful tools for healing and self-awareness.

 

What Is Expressive Writing?

Expressive writing is a therapeutic form of writing that helps you process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly and openly. It’s not about perfect grammar or beautiful sentences. It’s about truth. It’s about putting what’s in your heart onto paper without judgment or filters.

This kind of writing can feel scary especially if you’re not used to opening up in this way. It often brings you face to face with thoughts or emotions you’ve pushed aside. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to share it with anyone. Expressive writing is for you. It’s a safe space to let it all out.

 

The Volcano Effect: Why Bottling Up Emotions Doesn’t Work

Let me give you a metaphor.

Think of a volcano. When pressure builds beneath the surface, it doesn’t just go away. It bubbles, it simmers, it rises until eventually, it erupts.

That’s what can happen to us when we bury our emotions. Maybe we push past a painful experience, telling ourselves it doesn’t matter. Or we hold in grief, stress, or anger. But over time, those emotions pile up, and eventually, they need a way out. And when we don’t give them a healthy outlet, they can erupt in ways we never intended through anxiety, depression, burnout, or even physical illness.

Expressive writing helps release the pressure before it explodes.

 

The Hidden Benefits of Expressive Writing

You might be wondering, what exactly can expressive writing do for me? Research shows it can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve mood and emotional regulation
• Strengthen the immune system
• Lower blood pressure
• Help with grief and trauma
• Increase self-awareness and personal growth
• Enhance creativity and mental clarity

But beyond the science, expressive writing offers something deeply personal: the chance to understand yourself better, to connect with your truth, and to feel lighter even if just for a moment.

 

The Courage to Begin

I know it’s not always easy to sit down and face the page. You might be thinking, what if I don’t know what to say? What if it’s too painful? What if I’m not a “good” writer?

The beauty of expressive writing is that there are no rules. You can write bullet points, scribbles, sentences, or stream-of-consciousness thoughts. You can write a letter you’ll never send. You can write in anger, in grief, in confusion, or in hope.

All that matters is that you start.

 

Start Small, Start Today

You don’t have to write a novel. You don’t even have to write for long. Just start with five minutes. One page. One feeling. One word.

Let the page hold what you no longer want to carry.

The pen is a powerful tool, and it might just be the therapy your soul didn’t know it needed.

 

Final Thoughts

If only 33% of people are turning to writing during tough times, maybe that’s because they haven’t yet discovered how powerful it can be. Maybe they just need someone to say: “It’s okay to be messy. It’s okay to write through the pain. You’re safe here.”

So here I am, saying it:
You are safe. You are strong. You are ready.
Pick up your pen and let yourself begin.