Writing has been an incredible outlet and source of healing for me when it comes to my mental health. In my darkest moments, putting pen to paper allowed me to process difficult emotions and make sense of my inner struggles. I started by simply keeping a personal journal – a safe space where I could put my negativity down without judgment so that the emotional weight on my heart could be lifted. Doing so provided emotional relief when I felt overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety or anger.
However, I soon realized that dwelling solely on the negative wasn’t helping me move forward. That’s when I began incorporating gratitude into my writing practice. I decided every night I would list out three things I felt grateful for, no matter how small – walking to class on a sunny day, drinking my favorite tea, and even just being able to find the time to write in my journal. This simple shift in perspective did wonders for improving my mood and reminding me of the beauty that still remained in my life.
Over time, however, despite the solace writing brought me, I couldn’t shake the underlying feeling of loneliness that often accompanied my struggles with mental health. It felt incredibly isolating. No one around me talked about mental health challenges openly. When I started volunteering as a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line, this feeling began to change. As a crisis counselor, I was being exposed to countless stories from people all around the U.S. who were fighting their own personal battles. I quickly began to notice a pattern – while working with two to four “texters” simultaneously, I came to realize that each of them was grappling with similar mental health challenges. I found myself wishing I could connect and facilitate a conversation between them in order to create a space of mutual understanding . Recognizing this pattern, reading texters’ messages, responding with empathy and offering sources of support was a powerful reminder that I wasn’t alone in my struggles.
Inspired by this newfound sense of community, I decided to take my writing public. I began submitting articles about mental health and wellness to The Michigan Daily, as well as MA: E Magazine. Having my words and perspectives published for others to read was both daunting and exciting.
Eventually, I worked up the courage to launch my own personal blog, With Tian, with the goal of further destigmatizing mental health issues and bridging connections between others who felt isolated on their own journeys. Not only is this platform giving me a productive creative outlet, but it’s also fostering a supportive community of readers who deeply resonate with my mental health journey.
Writing has been the thread woven through every stage of my healing – from my darkest days to my current attempts at uplifting others through my blog. It continues to be the gift that allows me to make sense of myself while forging meaningful bonds with others. If you are reading this and struggling with mental health, I invite you to dabble in writing and see where it takes you.
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