As we all know, college life can be stressful. While trying to balance work, school, and personal lives, sometimes deadlines blindside us and throw us into a whirlwind of stress. When this happens, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves. For me, busy semesters remind me to be more intentional with how I care for my mental health. Luckily for us, research has shown that creative writing is not just an element of our course assignments, nor is it merely a means of creative expression. It is also a powerful mental health remedy we may utilize to explore complex emotions and come to understand them.
Creative writing allows us to explore emotions by putting our unrestrained thoughts into words. When we write, we create a space where we can confront our feelings, fears, and hopes without judgment. Doing this allows us to externalize internal struggles, making them more manageable. It can feel like a therapy appointment, though we disclose emotions for ourselves only. This can act as a self-reflective self-therapy, whether through poetry, short stories, or personal essays, creative writing can help us make sense of complex emotions and experiences. While it may not replace traditional therapy, it can act as a supplement, promoting emotional resilience and a deeper understanding of self.
I felt these positive effects last year when a significant family event put me into a mental spiral. I had a wild school schedule and an even busier schedule of extracurricular activities, which added huge amounts of anxiety to my life. I turned to fiction writing and began to sympathize with a character I created who had similar family issues. Writing about how they might handle a similar situation gave me new perspectives of my own, and while writing didn’t change my circumstances, I felt better equipped to manage them. Sigma Tau Delta has allowed me further opportunities to expand how I think about creative writing through their calls for submissions for writing and publishing and chapter activities.
Since we all have stressors, what better way to cope with them than to use a skill we both study and appreciate? When you feel yourself begin to spiral, consider taking a few minutes to write. Writing can be your remedy—creating a place for you to process, reflect, and heal.
Zach Brady
Student Representative, Far Western Region, 2024-2025
Rho Tau Chapter, President
Utah State University, Logan, Logan, UT
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
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