Words: Friends or Foe? How can writing help you.

[quirkywords]

People can be afraid of words as they have no confidence in what they write. Maybe at school teachers have said negative things about their writing or their parents have said they don't write well.

Some people are anxious to write their first post as they wonder if they will make sense to others.

I believe words are your friends and everyone who can read this can write in meaningful way.

I want to look at how writing can help you

1) by helping you to explain and express your feelings to others

2) allowing you to connect to others through your words

3) by keeping a journal or starting a thread here and learn from your own writing and read others.

4) by helping you work out how to change certain behaviours

and many more we can share with each other.

To start at the beginning : Are words your friend or foe?

When you see a blank page or screen are you filled with fear or are you excited at the challenge.

Does writing words down help you more or in a different way to speaking them?

Everyone is welcome to contribute, first time posters , regulars, people who don't like writing , people who find they go the character limit for the post every time.

Write on

Quirky

PS writing in this context is same as typing , or using voice to text.

I want to look at how words can help you express your thoughts and emotions?

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Quirky and all,

To answer a question from your opening post.

To start at the beginning : Are words your friend or foe?

- Quirky

In quintessential Pepper style, my answer is “it depends.” I feel words can have its place. It can be powerful but it also has its limitations in my opinion. In short, I have mixed feelings about words. Sometimes I like them and other times I don’t...

Pepper xoxo

[Summer Rose]

Hi Pepper

Interesting response. Do you prefer smiles and frowns?

[jokeywatt]

Hey,

I've found writing really therapeutic and helpful to deal with my mental health. I have done just pure writing of how I am feeling but recently I have tried poetry and this is really helpful, poetry not only lets you channel your thoughts but challenge your brain and almost act as a way to get your mind off of your mental state so you can find that pesky rhyming word. It is been really helpful and many people should try and do the same.

Cheers, Joey

[quirkywords]

Hello everyone

Pepper, thanks for your answer. I think words can be our friends and helpful but not always when they are misinterpreted.

Jokeywatt thanks for your reply. I am glad you find writing helpful.

My poems never rhyme which I tried to explain to my mother but she never could understand the concept of free verse.

i am glad writing poetry helps you.

Quirky

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Quirky and all,

Summer: Great question. Thoughtful and subtlety clever 🙂

Similar response. Again, I feel it depends. Sometimes I prefer to smile and other times I feel like frowning more. Although sometimes I prefer neither 😉

Quirky: great to hear from you. Thanks ... Yes, I feel you have a point about misinterpretation 🙂

Pepper xoxo

[Summer Rose]

Hi Pepper

Your honesty made me smile.

Sometimes when words fail me, I find a physical response is the way to communicate. I can stop my son drinking out of the milk container dead in his tracks with a look. I can comfort my anxious daughter by rubbing her back. I can ask my husband a tricky question with a raised eyebrow. Sometimes we don't need words at all.

But, getting back on topic, poetry is definitely good for the soul. One of my favorites, when I need strength, is The wounded deer leaps highest.

With just five words Emily Dickinson is able to communuicate tragedy, pain, suffering, strength and success against extraordinary odds. Pure magic.

[quirkywords]

Hello word lovers and everyone,

Summer Rose, maybe we use gestures instead of words, but I would say that the gestures are a temporary replacement for words. Thanks for reminding me of Emily Dickinson.

I have a question inspired by Pepper's words.

What few words do you use a lot and why do you find them helpful in expressing yourself.

I use ,in my opinion, a lot so people don't think I am pushing my ideas on others. I , like Pepper, also use , it depends, especially when I asked my opinion on a controversial issue.

My other phrase/question , what do you think ?

Quirky

[Summer Rose]

Hi Quirky

At work, I use "with the greatest respect" when I know my opinion is different from someone I am engaging with and I don't want to offend but need to stand my ground. I also use "as soon as practicable", when I'm facing either an unreasonable demand or I haven't yet formed a view of how I'm going to proceed with something.

At home, I find I start a lot of sentences with "You know I love you but I gotta say ..." It just takes the sting out of whatever the comment may be and reminds the family member that I am coming from a good place.

[Moonstruck]

No phrases I use a lot readily spring to mind....will let you know if I tend to favour any. as for writing, well I could not live without it...have had to do a helluva lot of it for many years...so am never lost for words...My journal (for my eyes only is extremely valuable to me re my anxiety and/or depression episodes, a lifesaver actually).

re poetry...I can't write poetry but love Haiku style...and the ancient Persian romantic poet Rumi who I believe penned these lines......"Somewhere, beyond right and wrong, there is a garden....I will meet you there"

[quirkywords]

hello everyone,

Summer Rose,

I like your collection, I know people that say with the greatest respect before being rude!!

My dad used to say I love you but!! and then proceed to be critical!

Thanks Moon, I like your writing and that quotation you used. Lovely words.

To be perfectly honest, in all my life, in all my experience , I have never ever , to the best of my knowledge- do any of those ring a bell??

Quirky