Throughout history, many people have used creative expression to process difficulties in their lives – Hemingway and Van Gogh, to name just a couple.
But why does creativity help us process the effects of trauma? Here are a couple of reasons.
1. You are taking something negative and actually turning it into something positive! Even if the work is not especially happy or motivational, still, it acknowledges the pain and struggles of others who’ve been through the same things as you. Pain is an isolating force, and if nothing else, creative expression helps us all not to feel so isolated.
2. Creativity is an outlet for you. Research shows that people who’ve been through childhood trauma usually feel an impulse to reenact it in some way. Some do this through getting into abusive relationships. Some become abusers. Some internalize their wounds and listen to the merciless inner critic that developed as a result of being made to feel worthless during key developmental years. By turning this impulse to reenact trauma into creative pursuits, it gives this reenactment a more positive place to go.
I don’t know what kind of art or creative pursuit you’re into, but this type of trauma-processing is what writing does for me. Through the metaphors of poetry, characters of fiction, or even the information of nonfiction I recognize, acknowledge, and process the trauma I’ve been through.
If I hadn’t discovered writing as an outlet a long time ago, I probably would have ended my life. Then, once I had processed my pain up to a certain point, I made the decision to share it with others. It’s my way of giving back and trying to bring some light and kinship.
But there’s nothing that says you have to share your work! I kept my reflections to myself for a long time. The act of doing seems to be enough to bring some relief and help to its creator all by itself.
What about you? What type creative pursuit helps you? Do you paint? Play music? Or do you write, like me? Do you share your creative work with others or keep it to yourself? Tell me in the comments below!
Check out my survival memoir in poetry, The Locust Years, now available on Amazon!
Thank you for sharing this. It is true trauma does lead some people to let out their emotions through creativity. I was always denied the right to even register the pain I carried in my heart. It took me hitting absolute rock bottom to finally start my healing journey. My therapist was the first person to help me understand Trauma and helped me realized that what I had been through has been traumatic and it needs to be dealt with. Many difficult sessions later, I finally picked up my pen again to write. And I write pain. It is hard for me to give my 100% when my writing does not involve pain but I know I will overcome that too one day. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, it has helped me feel a little less alone when I write only pain. Much love. Rafia.
Hi Rafia, thanks so much for sharing. I also find it hard to write sometimes, although for me, I find that writing CAN be painful, especially as in the case of my memoir, The Locust Years, where I often wrote myself into flashbacks trying to complete it! And YES, it is so important that we even recognize the trauma and admit to ourselves that the experience was in fact traumatic. So many never reach this step. I’m glad you have found writing. I wish you peace & blessings as you heal.
Verry nice
Thank you. So glad you got something out of it my friend.