Processing Your Grief Through Writing
Writing can be a powerful tool in the healing process. It’s a safe way to wrestle with our most intimate emotions, especially those we may not want to share with anyone else, even those closest to us. When we write for ourselves, we can be sad, relieved, or angry – perhaps all three. No feeling is off the table. We can exhale. We can be 100% honest.
To get started, here are four prompts to consider:
Describe a moment you shared with your loved one. What are the sights, sounds, and sensations that bubble up for you? Try to be specific.
Write a letter to your loved one. Perhaps share just a few sentences describing what you did today.
If you’re more comfortable typing, write an email to your loved one. (Ok, you’ll send it to yourself, but you get the idea.) Write about the things you wish you had said. What would you want her to know or understand?
Explore your grief experience by writing a fictional story. Think of ways your characters might cope with loss – for better or worse. There is emotional freedom in letting go on the page.
For more inspiration, we invite you to watch the Passed and Present event recording on writing and grief with New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt and Passed and Present series host Allison Gilbert. Watch the recording here.