How My Intense, Personal Writing Stressed Me Out

by Susan L. Urasky

Writing with emotion is what I was taught.

Scenes that are well-written include character’s emotions that touch the reader viscerally. My biggest challenge was unexpected. I wasn’t prepared for the aftermath after layering strong feelings and emotions that came from deep within myself.

I created specific characters based upon my own experiences.

I was finally writing my novel. I dealt with some of the universal themes of death and dying, truth, and family dynamics. While writing my novel, I wrote the scenes carefully, incorporating all the mixture of emotions needed.

Well done, is what I thought!

I tapped into deep feelings and expressed creativity, and this triggered a physical and emotional response in me.

I now had to process this inner turmoil in order to keep on track.

Working on My Writing Threatened My Emotional Well-Being

I am used to working hard and I am used to the pressures a job may entail.

As a Registered Nurse I knew to practice self-care. But what I was not prepared for was being threatened by my own emotional well-being, because I was working on my writing.

After searching my soul to write from my own past experiences, I got physically sick.

• I wasn’t hungry, and it was difficult to plan dinner or even get to the grocery store.
• I wasn’t sleeping because I couldn’t turn off the thoughts and painful memories that I had to relive.
• My gut was wrenching, and I was queasy. I was having anxiety, which I could not explain.
• My writing suffered and I was questioning what was happening.

While experiencing the joy of finally getting my story down on paper, I was held back by physical forces. This was an inner struggle.

I realized that I had spent so much time worried about word count and writing religiously every day that I dove into the deep end and forgot to take that mental break.

A mental break not just from writing, but from the content I was writing.

I put so much emotion into my writing and did not set up enough distance between myself and writing and this lack of distance caused physical and emotional stress.

4 Methods I Used to Help Me Recover from Writing-Related Emotional Stress

In order to safeguard myself, I put a support system in place, spaced out the timing for writing emotional and the more lighthearted scenes, and I took time to recover and lock out those painful feelings temporarily.

1. I Found a Venting Board

I needed a sounding board and was lucky to have my daughter in my life for support and to vent my feelings about what I have written and how I felt.

My daughter was able to show me my strengths and weaknesses and to help me realize that tapping into my emotions was what made my writing so impactful. She pointed out that my creativity stems from within and my inner voice was awakening.

She also encouraged me to take a break.

2. I Wrote in a Journal

I took the time to journal my thoughts and disturbances.

I asked why I am not hungry. I realized that I was in such a high state of emotion that I had not calmed down enough. I realized this after I purged much of what I had felt in the journal. Then my appetite returned. My stomach stopped it’s churning as I was in a better state to handle more of lives daily activities.

This is a tool I use after my allotted writing time. I journal my thoughts, my accomplishments and try not to focus on word count but on substance.

3. I Limited the Time I Spent on Highly-Emotional Writing

Knowing I will need to continue to write about these feelings again as I revise and proceed with the story, I now limit myself to how long I stay in this heightened state of emotion. I may switch to another scene that isn’t so dark and create a distance.

I allow myself time to recover. I have learned to let go of the stress and emotion when I am done writing.

4. I Allowed Myself to Recover

While becoming honest and real, sharing myself in my writing, I needed to relax. I rested.

I found other outlets such as poetry to let the tough feelings escape and to renew my inspiration pleasantly to move forward. I go outside. I take walks around the surrounding woods and soak in nature.

To Take a Break from Writing Intense Feelings, I Returned to Photography

Breaking from writing intense feelings, I returned to my passion of photography.

I take pictures of flowers and butterflies in my garden and have for many years. While passionate about my writing, I forgot about other passions that brought me pleasure.

I use these pictures for inspiration and motivational quotes. With the intent of writing a short inspirational quote, this is not what happened, nor was I prepared.

I wrote a poem instead.

This poem was raw, intense and gut wrenching and possibly the best piece I have written. I realized after reading the poem that it was filled with a deep-rooted  bitterness I never knew I had.

I had to face the unexpected. I could be in a relaxed state with no true intent and emotions can take over my thought process. By reliving painful experiences, I was inviting repressed feelings to take over.

Now my emotions were in charge.

Our Writing is Fueled with Emotion

I have healed physically and have a better handle of my emotions.  I am better prepared for what lies ahead, better equipped, and have self-care tools.

I accept that my own voice of expression contains a mix of emotions. Expression is a great form of catharsis. I can paint that page with this mix. It’s gratifying and way to purge what is creeping up and let it out.

This way of writing has taught me a great deal about myself and my own creativity while healing. There are so many tips and tools for writers to learn the craft of writing. Our writing boils down to substance but is fueled with emotion.

I am grateful for websites like Writing and Wellness that incorporate writer’s health. As writers, we need to nurture ourselves, physically, and emotionally, for our own health and well-being.

Writers, Access Your Own Emotions and Give Them to Your Readers

I urge anyone who is starting out as a writer to access your own emotions and give them to your readers.

Practice writing your own emotions.

Answer these questions in a few paragraphs:

• What are you frightened of?
• What are you angry about?
• What are you sad about?
• And what makes you feel any of these emotions?

Keep these as tools you will need for writing. Let your emotions and experiences flow into your writing and take care of yourself while doing so.

Find a support person that will point out your strengths and weaknesses while you are beginning your writing journey.

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Susan L Urasky is an RN, currently writing her mainstream fiction novel inspired by true personal events; weaving credible medicine in a plot full of horrific turns. Her inner voice has awoken, inspiring her to blog and write poetry.

Susan also writes guest articles for blogs in the US and UK. She takes classes at UW-Madison Continuing Studies and is a member of the Wisconsin Writers Association. Her experiences range from clinical to camp nursing along with medical sales and marketing.

Chicago born, Susan has lived from coast to coast, including Maui. She now enjoys log cabin living in Wisconsin. Through her writing , she advocates for mental health, disabilities and patient safety and believes through expression it can be a gateway to healing and comfort.

For more information about Susan and her work, please see her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.