In the category of ‘unexpected happenings this season,’ I’m learning to play the Irish Whistle. It’s been a while since I’ve learned a new instrument and it’s nice to be reminded of that old chestnut: practicing alone versus knowing literally anyone is within earshot. When I’m playing alone, I can keep an even tone and even sound alright in the slower songs. But the second I know someone is listening, the whistle screeches so much, the neighborhood dogs bark.
The act of examining something changes it. The act of knowing someone will be listening or reading changes how you create.
Writing for healing is the same thing. The first question you have to ask yourself: who is your audience? Are you writing just for yourself? Are you writing with the intent to have anyone read what you wrote? Even if what you are writing is meant to be in a time capsule opened in 300 years, that counts as writing for an audience.
How does that change the way you write?
Here are some more ways to think about journaling and the creative process as healing.
