Summary

The author describes their struggle with emotional rawness and writer's block, finding inspiration through pain, and the therapeutic power of writing.

Abstract

The author of the article, who remains unnamed, shares their recent experience with what they initially perceived as writer's block. Amidst emotional turmoil, they turned to writing as a form of therapy, recognizing its ability to provide grounding and self-awareness. Despite the challenge of starting, they found solace in the act of writing, viewing it as a means to navigate through pain. The author reflects on the importance of sharing authentic experiences and the beauty that can be found within pain, emphasizing that it can serve as a catalyst for creativity. They acknowledge the human tendency to conceal pain, yet advocate for openness and sharing one's true self. The article concludes with the author expressing gratitude for the inspiration provided by Joe Merkle and Ravyne Hawke, who encouraged them to confront their creative struggles and to continue writing through the pain.

Opinions

The author believes that writing is a therapeutic tool that aids in coping with emotional challenges and provides a sense of purpose.
They suggest that pain can be a source of inspiration and a hidden treasure for creatives, rather than something to be ashamed of or hidden.
The author values the importance of self-expression and sharing one's true experiences, advocating for breaking free from societal conditioning that discourages openness about pain.
They emphasize the significance of trusting internal cycles and embracing healing in ways that may not always be understood or controlled.
The author expresses gratitude towards others in the writing community for their support and encouragement, highlighting the role of community in the creative process.
They assert that relinquishing control over uncontrollable aspects of life can lead to personal freedom and growth, especially in times of pain and adversity.
The author is optimistic, concluding with the belief that despite current struggles, everything will ultimately be okay.

Somehow I Just Know

It will all be okay

Lately, I’ve felt what I thought was writer’s block, only it’s been different. I logged into medium today intending to write, but It seemed like it was going to be a challenge with this emotional rawness sitting in me.

Use it, I told myself, but I couldn’t get seem to get in the flow.

I checked my notifications to see a tag from Joe Merkle in a beautiful story he shared in response to a prompt from Ravyne Hawke about how we ‘write through the pain’. It was the absolute perfect timing for me as I felt like I was avoiding writing and struggling with where to begin.

For the last few days, I’ve been typing out poems, letting them sit in my drafts folder then deleting them shortly after. There haven’t been any direct self-critical thoughts or any obvious signs of self-doubt I’ve been aware of, but lately, life has been challenging and exhausting, I’ve been in a strange hermit sort of energy.

There has been all sorts of pain moving through me and purging out of me.

If I could summarise the experience as simple as possible I would say It feels like another layer of releasing.

Writing is a form of therapy for me, it helps me feel grounded, and aware of myself and my life in more intricate and detailed ways. In this sense, it helps me feel empowered and rooted in a deep feeling of purpose.

Only, when I’m in pain or struggling, just getting started can often feel like an insurmountable obstacle, and yet it is — I know, often the best thing for me.

When this happens, I normally find myself keeping an eye out for the signs, for the encouragement, for the inspiration to get back to writing.

It can be so incredibly hard, but somehow I always come back to the thought, if my writing is meant to be out there I will somehow get myself through this pain and writing will either assist me through it or it will be waiting for me on the other side.

Many of the things I have written on medium have been whilst I have been in physical, mental, or emotional pain. I’ve been brave enough to share my experiences and my feelings through writing, because sharing our true selves with the world- I believe is important, in whatever way feels right to us.

We’re all so conditioned to hide our pain away or feel ashamed about it, and I want to break free from this limitation. I have found beauty in my pain, I’ve had to, and although I can’t always see it, I know it’s there.

Pain for us creatives can at times be the hidden treasure in a dark room.

Feeling pain is so human. It’s so raw and it’s so truthful, yet we fear feeling it, talking about it, writing about it, sharing our stories, and yet in keeping silent we often make it even harder for ourselves.

As someone who likes to figure things out and analyze myself, my latest lesson with pain has been to just let it be. To learn to trust the nature of my internal cycles and to open myself up to healing in ways that I can’t explain, control, or understand at times.

No, this isn’t easy- but it’s an opportunity I’m choosing for myself.

I like to remember my creative self is always a part of me, even when I’m not writing or producing anything or working. The way I view the world around me is through a creative lens, I will never be separate from my creativity, even though sometimes It will be easy to feel like I am — especially when struggling or in pain.

Relinquishing control of the things I have no power over has set me free in so many ways in my life, and I continue to learn just how deep we are sometimes all called to trust in moments where our pain and obstacles seem insurmountable.

Somehow I just know, it will all be okay.

Thank you so much Joe Merkle for the tag, and for sharing your beautiful story and response to this prompt! You can read his story here.

Thank you Ravyne Hawke for this prompt, it was a sign for me to get back on the horse, and your authentic and open writing is always so inspirational!

The Prompt:

So this week, I want to challenge you to ‘write through the pain’ by sharing how you overcome unsurmountable boulders or upstream swims in your creative path. What helps you to return to your creative self? How does this help you physically, mentally, and spiritually?

I am challenging the following writers to ‘write through the pain’. Joseph Lieungh, Maia Thom, Bingz Huang, Miri, MOIIN

Thanks for reading, and thank you to all the people who support me and take the time to comment and share their writing. ❤

Also thanks to Diana C., Spyder, Ravyne Hawke, jules for all the work you put in to KTHT.