Writing in the Time of Covid-19
We collectively experienced an unprecedented, stressful, and traumatic time as we sheltered in place and now continue to deal with the the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the CDC, Americans experienced a 5% increase in anxiety and depressive disorders during the pandemic. While therapy and talking with family and friends are essential to our mental health, writing can also help us alleviate and cope with the effects of anxiety and depression as well. Journaling, creative writing, blogging, and writing letters are just a few ways to write about one’s feelings and thoughts.
Personally, writing has always been a way for me to sort of work out what’s going on in my head. During the pandemic, like many of you, I had little time to myself as wife, mother, teacher, playmate, friend, cook, and anything else that was required of me to keep our family afloat. The absence of writing felt like a hole in my life. Not writing was a disservice to myself because I know the mental benefits of writing, but I had so much anxiety about my kids and the mental well-being of my family, I devoted all of my energy to them. However, I found that was a quick way to burn myself out. Once I resumed writing, I was able to process and give in a healthier way that benefitted my family, without the detriment to myself. That is why I felt it was important to share some tips with you if you’re feeling like you need a place to vent, or work through some stuff.
For most of us, the pandemic is a period of grief, struggle, and trauma as loved ones became ill, died, and worked on the front lines of exposure. As we stayed home or worked on the front lines, we each found our struggles and blessings. Having time to write and reflect on these experiences and feelings is an excellent way to begin healing, coping, and building resilience to move forward.
In a study about journaling posted by WebMD, researchers found that people who journaled for 15 minutes for three days a week had increased feelings of well-being and less anxiety after only one month. Those feelings continued to improve over the course of the 12-week study. In other studies researchers have found that not only does it help the writers feel better, it helps reduce the effects of trauma, and writing builds resilience.
For some, writing is a creative outlet that is flowing (or not) during this time. Whether you’re a professional writer, enjoy writing as a hobby, or you’ve never sat down to write before — writing can be a powerful form of release and healing. I encourage everyone to take time to express their feelings on paper or at their computer if you feel this would be helpful to you.
The truth is, we all process things differently and writing can be a great way to express yourself and release your feelings. For some, a journal is the best way to express their feelings. For others, a more abstract approach may be better, in which case, I recommend creative writing. There’s a lot we can say about ourselves, without having to write in a journal. Our characters and stories can experience what we need to process our feelings.
Writing is also a safe way to express feelings when we are feeling lonely or cannot meet up with friends or people we have lost. Writing letters to loved ones who have passed away is a helpful coping mechanism that can provide much needed closure too. When my mom passed away nearly two decades ago, I would often write letters to her expressing thoughts or feelings I wished she could hear. Sometimes I still do it! What’s great about this is no one ever has to read it, it’s just for you and it’s very therapeutic.
As we move forward and hopefully through this pandemic, I think everyone has a lot of pent up feelings and thoughts about the world. So why not use this as an opportunity to start with yourself and make the world better for you, in your mind and write something down? Start a journal! Make up a world and go on an adventure! Escapism in small ways is a natural way to cope with our feelings and exercising our creativity is a very healthy way to do it. Blog about your favorite hobby! Write a letter to your best friend you haven’t seen. Find a way to write.
Whether you’d like to start writing or you’ve been a writers for a long time, please do not put any expectation on it. It’s just time for you to work it out on the page. This is your time to do what feels best for you. I know, as a writer, sometimes stress makes it harder for me to write and that’s ok too. Don’t push, just let it happen on its own. Sit down for 15 minutes and see what happens.
Here’s what I recommend:
Start small. Write for a little bit each day with goal simply being to write. Start with 15 minutes.
Create a space and time for you to write. Move away clutter, find a quiet space or play music to set the right ambiance for you.
Write down some ideas of things you want to write about. Maybe it’s a journal entry, or a story idea, whatever it is, write it down!
Now, write what you know and feel. Our best writing comes from what’s inside of ourselves.
If you get stuck, take a break. Get fresh air. Take a nap. Exercise. Meet up with a friend. Do anything, but do not think about the writing. Come back to it the next day and start with a fresh mind again.
If you need a prompt, try some of these:
Write a scene where your character finds pure joy. Envision a moment where someone has overcome an obstacle and found happiness. Begin by setting the scene and describing how he/she got to that position. What does this moment look like? Who’s there? What are the actions that bring it about and make it possible? How does the scene end? What does your character gain from this joyous moment.
Record an important experience about yourself during the pandemic. Write expressively about your emotions and the details of the event. What happened? How did it make you feel? What do you hope to learn from it? Where did it happen? Use your sense memory to help you write the details of the experience.
Who was a hero to you during the pandemic? What inspired you about this person? What makes them special? Describe any scenes and experiences that made this person significant to you.
Let yourself get into the moment. Do not edit. Just write. Let me know how it goes.
xo,
Christa Fletcher