I was asked this question at The Well Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. This is a conference for Christian Creatives. I invite you to check it out and come next year in April 2024. It is an incredible conference to touch all creatives.See You at The Well Conference
I loved this question. Is it okay to write, if I’m still grieving?
I grabbed ahold of the woman’s hand that asked me this question while tears pooled in her eyes.
“Yes,” I said.
Do not let grief and loss swallow you.
And here are three points to go with that truth.
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When we’re hurting emotionally, whether from grief, loss, and/or transitions, one of the best things we can do is to create.
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Yes, do write. Write fast, write hard, write with tears and write without tears. I suggest you write with a pen, as there is something about our body and writing on paper with our body working together that forces the puke of the pain to the page. (Sorry for that word picture). However, sometimes we have to uncork and let the pain out. And penning to the paper can be one of the safest ways to let it out and also, we do not hurt others while we grieve.
Well-known author, Cec Murphy shared with me through email, “Some of the best writing is done while in pain.”
- And even though you write in the pain, remind yourself, all writing is NOT for public eyes. Pick and Choose. And you will learn through the writing process what is good writing and what is not. Plus, you will learn what you are to use your writing for, as it comes out during the writing process.
Think of writing as an unfolding, just as if you are rolling out cinnamon rolls, there is an unfolding of the dough, a rolling it out, and stretching it. It’s the same with our words. Write. And write some more and grow your voice with words. Write some more and stretch it out. And if you do not write, well then it gets all folded-up within.
Trust the writing process. It is okay to write when in grief.
What will you create while you are grieving? Love to read.
Explore your story and learn what you are to create with writing and to live beyond emotional pain, Use your pain for purpose!
