Photo by Min An
With her books on poetry, Simultaneously and From Small to Tall, Christina McGriff shows readers a new approach to self-care and healing. And that new approach is, of course, the written word.
At a time when stress and anxiety are exceptionally rampant, there is a premium on finding distractions, however fleeting they may be. Often, though, as we commit to transient pleasures, we neglect the empowering activity of simple introspection and self-expression.
That’s where poetry comes in.
The written word, with its rhythms and its language, is not only a powerful tool for expressing yourself. It is also a unique and singular approach to self-care and healing.
As an art form, poetry transcends mere communication.
The Written Word and Therapy
Like most forms of art, poetry provides its audiences and its creators a safe harbor. Writing and reading poetry is extremely cathartic. Whether it’s a simple emotion like joy and anger or a more complex one like depression and ecstasy, the mere acts of naming your emotions and turning them into words are incredibly liberating. There is no other sense of freedom like it.
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The entire process of writing poetry is often seen as esoteric, but it is deeply meditative. When immersed in the written word, individuals are given a respite from the anxieties of daily life. The mind quiets as it searches for the rhythm, the rhyme, and the words.
Poetry is a specially introspective and reflective medium of art.
When one is writing poetry, one is also confronting whatever emotions have wound their way into one’s heart and holding a death grip there.
Through metaphor, imagery, and other poetic devices, poets look at the world and their own feelings from a new and novel perspective. This has severe implications for one’s internal understanding of their motivations, values, and beliefs.
A New Approach to Self-Care and Healing
Poetry is quite attuned to the rhythmic quality of life. It is also wonderfully aligned with our chief mode of communication, which is language. And all that, together with its ability to evoke the imagination and one’s emotional state, poetry is uniquely suited for soothing the soul.
Whether it’s through the catharsis of uncovering new ways of expressing one’s emotions and ideas about something or it’s the comforting embrace of shared human experiences, of knowing that what you are going through has been felt before, poetry can be a powerful way of healing.
Poetry fosters in us a deeper understanding of ourselves and the wide, wild world around us.
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As you tap into your deepest feelings, you connect yourself to a broader and more encompassing sense of humanity. This is why poetry can provide solace during times of grief. It is why it can inspire hope during moments of despair.
To Write or Not to Write
The world is chaotic and overwhelming, but there is a way to take a break from all of its messiness. The written word is a high and mighty lighthouse across a deep and stormy ocean, calling each and every one of us to its shores and reminding us that our voices–no matter how small–matter.
Our stories are important, even if only to ourselves.
So, embark on your own poetic journey.
Do not be afraid to explore the depths of your emotions and discover the voice that is inside you.
Experience the profound transformative power of the written word.
The journey of poetry lasts a lifetime, but each step across it is worth everything. It is a path of continuous growth and transformation, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
So, let us embrace the power of the written word and use it to heal ourselves, connect with others, and create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and to allow your creativity to flow freely. The journey of self-discovery through poetry is a deeply personal one, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.
By embracing the power of the written word, we can unlock a world of healing, self-awareness, and creative expression.
Let us begin this journey of self-discovery, one poem at a time.
Christina Trezevant McGriff’s works are available for purchase here. Don’t forget to grab a copy!
- The Written Word: A New Approach to Self-Care and Healing - January 17, 2025