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PhysicallyFIT
Writing to Heal:
A Personal Journey
by Linda C. Wisniewski
Take a walk through any bookstore, and you’ll see that memoirs are among the most popular
books being sold today. People from all walks of life are putting their stories together
for their families, friends and for publication. They write for self-expression, to share their
struggles and triumphs, and to leave a record for their children. We love to read real-life
inspirational stories. But did you know there are very tangible health benefits to writing
In the 1990s, Dr. James Pennebaker, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, did some research on the effects
of writing. He found that people who wrote about emotionally traumatic events exhibited reductions in blood pressure and heart rate
and improvement in conditions like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
You may have experienced these benefits yourself after writing in a diary or journal. And if
you’ve shared a personal story with a friend, you probably know the comfort of a sympathetic
ear. But even if you write only for yourself, putting your feelings down on paper
can change your life. There is something about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)
that places a traumatic event in perspective. We begin to see its place in the
larger story of life. We reflect on its meaning. And we find, after a time of writing
and reflection, that the event no longer has power over us. We no longer feel the
old pain when remembering.
When I began to write about my own painful memories, my tears fell on the page.
But soon, the act of revising and creating a story from these memories became my
life’s purpose. Writing about the emotional abuse my mother, sister and I suffered
at home brought a new understanding of the power of words to both hurt and heal.
My father’s words beat us down, but the story I’ve written about our life together
gave me empathy for other survivors. I was finally able to understand my mother’s
passivity and why other women don’t immediately leave abusive partners. I saw,
through writing, that often I was like her, passive and silent. Forgiving myself, and her,
I found my own voice.
Over the years, I’ve found that memoir writing has taken the sting out of my most painful
memories. The tears that once dampened my pages have dried. When I read my stories
aloud to an audience, I sometimes feel a moment of sadness for my
past. It’s a long way from the raw pain that once had me in its grip.
The journey to healing emotional wounds through writing is one we
can all travel. All you need is something to write with, a comfortable
space, and the time and willingness to look within.
I’d like my experiences writing and teaching memoirs to help you gather
your personal stories, and when you are ready, heal your body and heart.
To get you started, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
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