Writing to Heal: The Power of Creative Flow
For a brief period, I was in a Counselling Psychology Master’s program. I came across research on the effects of creative flow on the brain, and it fascinated me. When we are immersed in our craft, whether it’s painting, writing, sculpting, or even something as simple as coloring, it has a soothing effect on the nervous system. This phenomenon is called flow state.
During the first year of the pandemic, I battled with depression. I was going through a divorce, I lost my job, and I was completely isolated. I would have good days, but then horrible days where I could barely move out of the fetal position. The only thing that gave me relief was my pen. Writing became a lifeline. It was as if I could move my pain out of my body and onto paper. By the time I had completed my poem, I felt lighter, steadier, and more regulated. I didn’t know it then, but I was using creative flow to heal my nervous system.
What Happens in Creative Flow?
Flow is often described as being “in the zone.” Time seems to dissolve, worries fade, and the brain enters a rhythm of deep focus. Neurologically, flow engages both hemispheres of the brain and quiets the overactive parts of the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for self-criticism and rumination. This creates a temporary break from the stress response. At the same time, dopamine and endorphins (the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals) are released, helping us feel calmer, clearer, and more present.
When you enter flow through writing, you’re not just stringing words together; you’re accessing a space of integration where emotions, thoughts, and memories find release and new meaning. It’s a form of active meditation that allows you to process pain without forcing it, creating space for clarity and even hope.
Writing as a Healing Practice
For me, poetry became both a mirror and a release. It reflected my inner world while also giving me a container to set it down. But you don’t have to be a poet to experience the healing power of writing. Journaling, freewriting, storytelling, or even jotting down fragments of thought can shift your internal state. What matters most is the practice, not the perfection.
Writing allows you to:
Externalize your emotions instead of letting them swirl endlessly in your mind.
Find perspective, seeing your story from a distance.
Create meaning, weaving pain into a narrative that feels purposeful.
Regulate your nervous system, offering your body a sense of calm and safety.
How to Begin Your Own Flow Practice
If you’re curious about tapping into creative flow through writing, start simple:
Set a timer for 10–15 minutes. Give yourself a small, contained space to write.
Choose a prompt or begin with “Today I feel…” and let the words lead you.
Keep the pen moving. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or structure. Flow comes when you bypass the inner editor.
Pause and breathe. Notice how you feel afterward…lighter, calmer, more grounded.
Writing to heal isn’t about producing something “good.” It’s about giving yourself permission to process, release, and discover.
Your words have the power to hold you, heal you, and transform you. Whether you write poems, journal entries, or quiet fragments, let writing become your ritual.
With sincere warmth,
Sharla
