How Writing Became My Healing Tool

A cozy scene featuring a warm cup of coffee beside an open book with a delicate flower resting across its pages, all placed on a rustic oak wood surface.

Have you ever felt like your pain had nowhere to go? Like the heaviness in your chest wasn’t just emotional—it was spiritual, too? For years, I carried burdens that I didn’t know how to release. Therapy helped, sure. But what cracked me wide open was writing. And not just any writing—intentional writing. Writing that let me feel, grieve, and grow. Writing that gave my pain purpose. Writing that saved me.

My First Journal Was My First Step Toward Healing

It wasn’t fancy—just a $5 notebook from the dollar store. But inside, it became a safe space—a place to say the things I was too afraid to speak aloud. I didn’t even know I was healing at first. I knew that putting my thoughts on paper helped me breathe more easily. Over time, it became a mirror. A mirror that showed me who I really was—and who I had the power to become.

Tip for new writers: Start with no pressure. Don’t worry about grammar or structure. Just write what’s real. Set a timer for 10 minutes and free-write about how you feel today.

Writing Gave My Pain Language

There’s something sacred about being able to name your wounds. When you name them, you tame them. Journaling helped me trace the roots of my anxiety, unpack the guilt I carried, and validate the grief I had buried. Through writing, I began to see patterns—and from those patterns, I began to create meaning.

Tip for new writers: Try “pain point” journaling. Write down a situation that hurt you, then ask yourself: What did I feel? Why? What do I want to release? What do I want to learn?

Explore my guided journal designed for this exact purpose →

Writing Became My Spiritual Practice

As a Black woman, I’ve been taught to pray in silence, to fight in strength, and to press on through pain. But no one taught me how to pause and process. Writing became the space where I met God—not just the God in heaven, but the divine spark in me. I prayed through poems, cried through journal entries, and found peace in the pages.

Tip for new writers: Try starting your journal entries with a short prayer or affirmation. Example: “God, guide my pen. Let me write with honesty, courage, and grace.”

Writing For Personal Growth—Not Perfection

So many of us hold back from writing because we think it has to be perfect. But healing writing isn’t about performance. It’s about permission. Permission to be messy. To feel deeply. To say what you really want to say without judgment.

Tip for new writers: Ditch the rules. Don’t edit as you write. Let it be raw. You can always shape it later—but first, let it flow.

How I Turned My Private Pages Into Public Purpose

Eventually, I started blogging. Not because I had it all figured out, but because I wanted to help other Black women feel less alone. My blog, Dani’s Desk, became an extension of my journals—a space where I could share my story and hopefully empower someone else to share theirs too.

Tip for new writers: If you’re thinking about starting a blog, don’t wait until it’s perfect. Write one heartfelt post and publish it. Start small, but start now.

Your Story Has Power—Even If You're Still Healing

You don’t need to be healed to start writing. You need to be honest. Writing is the act of showing up for yourself every single day. And every time you do, you get closer to the woman you're becoming.

Tip for new writers: Use writing prompts to get started. Try: “What does healing look like to me?” or “What am I learning about myself right now?”

Final Thoughts: Write Your Way to the Woman You’re Meant to Be

Writing gave me more than clarity—it gave me courage. Courage to speak, to heal, and to grow. So if you’re holding pain in your body, confusion in your mind, or dreams in your heart—pick up your pen.

Because your words are sacred. And so is your healing.

✨ Ready to Start Your Own Writing Journey?

📥 Download your FREE ‘Becoming Her Glow Up Journal Page’ from The Supply Shelf—a guided resource to help you begin your healing journey through words.

💬 Share this blog with someone who needs a soft space to land. Let’s heal loudly, write proudly, and grow in community.