Prompt #43
catharsis writing for chaotic times
First things first: Yes, I am in LA, but I and my loved ones are safe. I hope you are, too, if you are in this area. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
Keeping a writing practice may seem laughable in the face of climate crisis and extreme weather events. And it is. Psychologically, if our brains are in fight or flight mode (which will happen when you feel a threat to your life or home), creativity is just not at the top of our brain’s priority list. The prefrontal cortex has other worries. So, our job as writers becomes learning how to regulate ourselves and calm down our nervous system until we can feel creative and productive again.
I do want to note that whether or not you are personally affected by a traumatic event doesn’t mean it won’t impact you emotionally or psychologically. This isn’t a time for survivor’s remorse, or the trauma olympics of feeling like you aren’t entitled to the stress or anxiety you feel when you are safe and tangibly unaffected. This shit is stressful, no matter who you are. Own whatever emotions you’re feeling and wade through them.
Today’s prompts focus on catharsis and regulating ourselves in the face of stress, anxiety, fear, etc. This is a tool we can use when we feel out of sorts, but we really want to write because writing is what we love. It’s also a necessary skill for anyone employed as a writer, especially when deadlines and paychecks don’t care if you aren’t feeling creative today because the world is hurting.
I’m currently teaching a writing class, and many students are affected by the fires. I had to remind them (and myself) that it’s okay not to create when the world is burning. If creating is what helps you get through, then do it. But it’s OK not to.
Two exercises today. One is to help future you when stress or anxiety creeps in and keeps you from writing. The second is to help you process today. Take out a piece of paper and make a list of things that soothe you. What are your methods of self-soothing? Try to create a list that is as varied as possible. Think about the different stressors you experience—because not every method will fix every problem. For example, when I lived in an apartment where my neighbors set off fireworks every day for weeks straight, buying myself a little treat wouldn’t help me feel better. Finding the best noise-canceling headphones on the market and a great playlist to drown out the noise did help. But my headphones won't save me if I’ve been doomscrolling for hours post-election and am too numb to write my scenes for the day. Make sense?
When you have your list, keep it somewhere accessible so you can pull from it in times of need. If you don’t know what to write, I recommend exploring to find what truly makes you feel better in various situations. It took time for me to figure that out, too.
The second exercise is a brain dump/free write. It’s focused on whatever is ailing you at the moment. So, rather than emptying everything in your brain onto the paper, try to focus on the stressor in front of you.
Pick one word or topic and write it at the top of your page. Then let ‘er rip. Write in any medium or style. I once wrote a burn book entry for our soon-to-be-inaugurated president, which was incredibly satisfying. Use this space for whatever you need it to be, and let out any feelings you have about this topic. You can keep it to read over in the future if these feelings crop up again, or you can do something physical to increase the catharsis, like ripping it up or burning it (maybe not in California, though), making a blackout poem out of it, or collaging it into something new.
No timer today. Write for as long as you need.
Resources to support those affected by the LA Fires:
Resources for those affected by the LA Fires:
Something to bring you joy or a slight sense of hope:
This entire account is amazing. I thought this particular video would make me cry buckets, but if you watch it to the end, it’s a heart-warmer. I’ve heard of this man and haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, but he’s a staple in the Altadena community. I was so happy to see his resilience and outlook on life remain steadfast. <3
Bloom & Plume is an LA staple and even though they had to close the cafe, this account and their floral creations will always light up my day.
I’ll update this post with more resources as I find them. This week has been difficult, but I’m thankful for our community. Stay safe, stay sane, and I’ll write to you later.
