Through the years, research has demonstrated that writing about events can significantly shape the way we experience them. In one study, researchers had people write about a break-up that hurt them. They had the participants write about the break-up for five minutes every day for four weeks. Writing about that same event over and over again helped the participants either significantly lessen or even outright get over the emotional pain they experienced.
From Emotion to Reason, Here’s Why Writing Works:
When we write about the same event over and over, we begin to shape a more well-rounded view of how we see that experience. In other words, the first time we write about an event like a break-up, we write about it from the perspective that we had while we were in pain, but the more we continue to write, we start to see the event from other perspectives, as well. Therefore, even if we don’t initially consciously change how we view the break-up, we naturally start to unconsciously expand our perspective.
When we experience any difficult life event, we do so from the emotional center of our brains (i.e., the limbic system). After time, and after we have had an opportunity to begin to analyze the same event from others’ perspectives, however, we start to view the event from the higher-level thinking center of our brains (i.e., the frontal lobes). So even just going through the motions of writing repeatedly about a tough moment in our lives can change the way we experience the memory of it; but when we consciously do this exercise and purposefully try to expand the way we see an event, our personal growth is amplified.
So, here’s what you can do: Write now.
Specifically, spend at least five minutes each day writing about the COVID-19 quarantine. Do so with a belief in your ability to learn and grow. From the onset, then, operate with the assumption that you will grow throughout this exercise, and that in 30 days you will have greater insight and a broader perspective on this event than you have today.
You might consider starting this exercise by writing about the emotional aspect of any frustration, anxiety, confusion, anger, or any other feeling that has been present for you. Then, every day, strive to write about the same situation from different angles. Over time, reflect on the differences in what you’ve written, and more importantly, reflect on the personal growth that you gain.
Every day is an opportunity to gain a new perspective. Every moment is an opportunity to learn and grow. When you set out to do this writing exercise with intention and purpose—and when you follow through with actually doing this writing assignment for at least five minutes every day—at the end of thirty days, you are likely to find yourself significantly farther along the path of personal growth than where you are today.
