Writing as therapeutic?

[KariMcElroy]

I think so. I tend to, not really put my own life into my stories, but definitely my own emotions. I feel anxious a lot, so I write as though one of my characters feel the same anxiety, even of we aren't in similar positions at all. Stuff like that helps, it kind of let's me exptress myself without having so talk about my own life?

Also, writing fanfiction is like the only creative thing I do 100% for myself. I don't even feel the need to publish it - it's stories written literally just for me and that's very freeing, in a situation where the pressure is increase to try to make a career out of your hobbies. That can be therapeutic as well, I think.

Most of my characters deal with a fair amount of anxiety as well because the poor things take after me. And, if we want to bright side the horrible monster that is anxiety, it does tend to give us the "ability" (or compulsion) to analyze thousands of situations that will never happen and that really sort of lends itself to storytelling. So . . .maybe anxiety is a dreadful sort of authorly superpower?

Also, I love that you have a just-for-you fictional outlet. That's a great idea. No pressure, just the joy of writing.

[SagaHolmgaard]

Hehe yeah maybe it is! xD Double edged sword, anxiety...

Writing just for myself is so nice, tbh. Really freeing to realize that I can just write that one scene in my mind without writing the rest of the narrative, just for me to read!

[UrMom]

My comic is literal self-help for me since I waited too long to get therapy, and can no longer afford it. The story is pretty much a mash-up of all the feelings and experiences I've jarred up throughout my life. I can't complain though, I really enjoy working on it, and I'm very determined to get it finished and printed. (For me. If other people want to buy it they can, but I'm not really banking on it.)

Drawing in general has always been a way for me to express feelings I can't put into words, or get some escapism from difficulties. As a kid I used to draw a bunch of fantastical stuff, wishing I was there instead of where I was, and in high school I drew gore to vent frustrations. As an adult with a more fully developed critical thought process I now delve into heavy/sad stuff, I'm a big fan of analyses, character study and content that makes you think, so I consume and create a little of that. It all really helps me put my own issues into perspective, seeing them from a more objective, observant point of view.

[liamnaughton7]

Not the writing, per se. But when I finish something I'm usually in real good fucking mood for a few days.
Drawing on the other hand does let me wind down and take a moment to myself. Soothing in the way a patiently performed task can be.

[rolypolyphonic]

I think writing is therapeutic for me primarily because I have relatively rare disorders (schizoid/schizotypal personality disorder) and I've never really seen a fictional character who canonically have the same things? So writing out characters based on my experiences with them is cathartic, and it's a great way to express a lot of unconventional ideas and beliefs I have as a result of living with these disorders in a manner that's more fleshed out and interesting than just... vaguely talking about them, I suppose?

[otaku_rose]

Writing has literally been my saving grace this year. I was never a writer, always hated it so I never thought I would be in a place to write a novel. But since this year, especially when Covid hit, I found myself isolated and in need of a way to relieve my stress. It didn't help that I'm also a healthcare worker, so there were a lot more stresses added to my daily life. I decided randomly to try to write my own story, just to past the time and I ended up falling in love with it. Writing has kept me from going crazy and allowed me to express my frustrations with my job as well. So writing is definitely therapeutic for me, 100%.