| You have probably heard the quote that | | | | Another benefit of keeping a well established |
| everybody has a novel in them. It is often used | | | | journal is that it serves as a history of your life. It |
| by aspiring novelists to motivate themselves to | | | | can motivate you when you have stressful issues |
| press on with that great unfinished work that | | | | to deal with. You can read how you overcame |
| may be gathering dust at the bottom of their | | | | previous issues and give you confidence with the |
| writing desk. I think the idea springs from the fact | | | | current problem |
| that everybody has something original to say | | | | Keeping a diary that is a daily planner and record |
| about something (at least once !). That something | | | | of future planned events can also relieve stress. |
| original is their life experience. Importantly, what | | | | By planning ahead you are effectively taking |
| they experienced and how they dealt with it. It is | | | | control of future events and potentially |
| a chance for them to take stock of their lives | | | | circumventing any stressful issues that may |
| and put it in order. | | | | occur. |
| Without being a novelist or aspiring writer, anyone | | | | For people more interested in the writing process, |
| can write to take stock of their lives and put it in | | | | taking a creative writing class or workshop can be |
| order. In this way they can deal with issues that | | | | a great way to relieve stress. Creative writing |
| may be causing them stress and come up with | | | | classes often involve writing a fictional short story |
| ways to solve the issue and relieve the stress. | | | | that will be read by your classmates. They will |
| A common way to relieve stress through writing | | | | then discuss the merits of the story from stylistic |
| is to keep a journal/diary. By making an entry | | | | and thematic points of view. This process can be |
| everyday about your inner most thoughts, daily | | | | a great outlet to put your inner thoughts on |
| struggles or major disappointments you can work | | | | paper and then have them analysed by other |
| through the problem at hand and the way you | | | | people. |
| feel about the problem. This has two benefits. It | | | | As a way to relieve stress, writing gives a person |
| gives you an outlet to discuss things you may be | | | | an opportunity to commit their inner most |
| hesitant to discuss aloud and it can give you ideas | | | | thoughts to paper. This act in itself can be seen |
| on how to deal with the problem now or in the | | | | as a way of dealing with potentially stressful |
| future. If done well an entry in your journal can | | | | issues. The by-product is that new ways of |
| be a truly cathartic experience. | | | | dealing with the problem may be found. |