My Patronus…
Friday Reflections #6
The year 2015 had promised a lot and it delivered a lot too. I had hoped for a positive start to 2016 as well, but life is balancing the scales this year, I suppose. Right from New Year’s Day, till today, the year has been a mix of a little positivity, but more of worry, anxiety, confusion, sadness, frustration… and when such a cloud hovers over life, it takes a toll on the heart and the mind. These have brought a lot of unexpected and unwanted results too. I have been ill, missed deadlines, forgotten to stay in touch with few friends I didn’t want to lose touch with.
The silver lining to the cloud has been that I have written more than I might have. Over the years, I’ve always believed in the cathartic nature of writing. It had been a period of depression that got me back into writing in the first place. It’s not easy to share some things with parents or family, or even friends, for some things, they cannot understand, and at times, will not understand. I knew that, so I couldn’t share it with them. I still cannot. I possibly will not ever. To try to let go of what is holding me down, without having an understanding voice to share it with, that’s undeniably difficult. It was for me. One of my friends understood that back then, and he told me about the therapeutic power of art. The way he talked about it, I knew it meant something to him, for I had seen the way his drawings, more than colors, had life in them. He knew I had been a poet who wrote a lot for inter-school competitions and such, and asked me to start a blog. Had I not begun to write then, I might not have written – ever.
Even now, when I feel the heaviness of thoughts pulling me down into a dark place, I turn to writing to pull myself into the light. At times, I admit, it is tempting to give myself in to the darkness, but unlike then, I do have more friends who know what I have to do to find the light, so they push me to write something… anything. It doesn’t have to be the exact thoughts that are pulling me down. When I write, it’s like I’m casting a Patronus. The happiness I feel while writing pushes any darkness away. And my friends are like the sweet chocolate after that. They add the warmth back to my life, and I feel better.
There are very few things I consider as an affirmation. The one that I really believe in, and have lived to do so, is this – “Writing is therapeutic.”
Friday Reflections had this topic for inspiration: “What is your favourite affirmation and how has it helped you?”.
(© 13th June 2016)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
Writing is therapeutic, yes. For me, it is also a way to knowing myself better.
And I love the title of this post.
–Nimi
Yes. I agree. Not always, but some pieces do help in self reflection, I suppose. Thank you, Nimi.
You got me at the title itself. And indeed writing is therauptic. Blogging has kept me sane too. And the comparison with patronus is fabulous. 😃
Yes. 🙂 It’s an exit went for many a thought which frustrates. Thank you, Ramya.
Writing is more like a savior; consoling when upset and celebrating when happy. Often at times, it is a precious tool to kill boredom when you have no other resources to engage with. The patronus for writers indeed! 🙂 Loved the quote ‘Sometimes only paper will listen to you’.
(Dashy recently posted… I Too Have A Blog Story)
True. Writing is all that. 🙂 For me, it saves by healing. 😀 Glad you liked the post, Dashy. Cheers to the writer’s patronus!
Totally agree with the affirmation! I must say, it’s admirable that your posts are still positive and hopeful even when you are consumed by darkness. Mine are certainly not that way when I’m struggling mentally but it’s still good to be able to write out my feelings.
(Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted… Book review: The eye of the sheep #aussieauthorchallenge)
I used to write dark posts when I was consumed by darkness, but it didn’t feel me-ish, Babby. And it certainly didn’t pull me out of it. So I tried to write positive posts. And it stuck. I still do get tempted to write dark posts as well. Glad that you affirm the affirmation. Thank you.
Writing has always been therapeutic, this I agree. It’s helped me heal, come to terms with loss, express my anger, feed my insecurity and lifted me out of the depths of despair. Without writing I’d be broken. I hope you find the strength to rise above the darkness and stay strong.
(Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted… #MyPedia – A complete learning solution)
Yes. Being a reader of your blog, I have realized that this holds true for you too, Shailaja. I hope that I have that strength too. 🙂 Thank you so much.