5 Simple And Therapeutic Writing Exercises You Should Try

We have all been through periods of anxiety and anguish in life. No human being is spared problems, and there are times in life when we have to carry heavy burdens. But here’s the good news: therapeutic writing exercises are a great way to deal with harmful emotions.

For centuries, the pen and paper have proven to be more than just objects. They do so much more than just write; they are vehicles for our emotions. Isn’t reading the best (and healthiest) escape? It transports us to new worlds and helps us find ourselves. Maybe we can achieve the same thing through therapeutic writing exercises?

In the 1960s, the American psychologist Ira Progoff came up with the “intensive diary method”. It basically consists of keeping a diary. Since then, most studies have supported the effectiveness of this popular practice.

Therapeutic writing exercises fulfill a very important function. They are also simple, can be performed anywhere and by anyone. Let’s take a look at them.

To begin with, all you need is pen and paper. Sit in an environment where you feel relaxed and comfortable, preferably in a quiet environment. If you want, you can play quiet music in the background. Scented candles are also helpful. The idea is to be relaxed and alone.

Many people have kept a diary since childhood. They write anecdotes and interesting things that happen in their lives, but not necessarily only positive things. But in this case, your diary should only be hung for the  positive in your life.

And no, that’s not a euphemism for something else. See it as a challenge: when you get up in the morning, take a look at all the things around you. Notice them during your day and  read through your positive observations the night before bedtime. You will be amazed that life is not as gray as it may seem.

Take the pen and  write down what you start thinking about  for 30 minutes. It does not matter if it is illogical or messy. You can also draw or make a list; do what you feel like.

Even if it seems crazy, you will find out what your most intimate feelings are if you  organize your ideas. It’s a great way to get to know yourself better and dive into your own psyche.

If something makes you feel bad,  write it down. Write a letter to what makes you unhappy and relieves the burden. Express all your thoughts: your pain, your fears, your anger. You will feel great relief afterwards.

Then you can choose between burning the letter or  giving it to the person  it is addressed to. Only you can know if the latter is a good idea. It can feel good, but it can also have negative consequences. Think objectively about these consequences before you act.

Write down what your goals are on a piece of paper. You probably have many, some of which are impossible to visualize in your head. Think about them and ask yourself the question: is it really impossible to reach them? Are you afraid of failure? Are there more realistic alternatives?

Whatever you decide, you can only know how far you are willing to go. No one will judge you if you fail, and if you do, you must not judge yourself. Design the life you want,  visualize it and motivate yourself. Motivate yourself to keep fighting for what you want, because it is much better to try and fail than to constantly wonder.

There will be days when everything seems awful. Stupid little things will make you angry; you will quarrel with everyone and feel as if you have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. For these days, you should have a letter in your desk drawer or another place:  a letter for bad days.

To do this, choose a day when you feel happy and write a letter to yourself. Tell yourself how proud you are of yourself and all the good things you have. You may really need  this dose of energy  during a bad day, so keep the letter safe.

Therapeutic writing exercises can be incredibly helpful,  especially when you have a bad day or need a little extra confidence. They teach you to put your thoughts in order and process your feelings. In short, they are emotional support, which is sometimes difficult to get from others.