In my previous blog you could already read about creativity as a medicine for pain. A lot of research has been done into a specific form of creativity, namely writing. From this research it appears that writing can be an incredibly good way to give pain and emotions a place.
New insights by writing
As it turns out, writing is a very good way to distance yourself from your problems, get an overview, process certain things and gain new insights. In short, writing is good and healthy for almost everyone. Especially if you have trouble with the visual exercises (some people unfortunately have trouble visualizing) writing can be a good alternative. Some people also have a 'linguistic' attitude. Which means that by talking and writing you will get better insights than visualising or drawing, for example.
The 3 letters exercise
Letter 1 - The negative letter
The first letter you write is completely negative. You write down what's bothering you. What you blame all your pain. How your pain may have ruined your life and what you can't do anymore. What has gone wrong in your life because of the pain and what may still be ruined because of the pain.
Letter 2 - The positive letter
In this letter you write as positively and understandingly as possible. That your alarm system is trying to help you, but that it has broken through. What the pain has taught you. Which people you may have gotten to know through pain, or what you have discovered in life. How in certain ways you become a stronger and better person from the pain.
Letter 3 - The realistic letter
In the last letter you actually make a mix of the first two letters. You describe what bothers you, but also show understanding. You mention the disadvantages, but maybe also some advantages. You try to write a realistic letter to the pain.