Unlocking Emotional Healing Thru Words

How I Started Writing at Age 82

On February 3rd, 2021, I wrote my first article - an introduction to the Aging Well Newsletter. It was 12 days after Dan’s death, and I was overwhelmed with feelings and worries after four years of caregiving that included his stay in a memory care facility, where he contracted COVID. What was I going to do next? Who was I now? How would I survive independently after being married most of my life? How could I possibly go on without him?

I’ve always wanted to write. My journals date back to 2001, and I rarely miss a day. I’ve written papers for school and work, developed a couple of courses, and created a website, but nothing clicked, so when my son suggested writing on Substack, the platform that allows me to bring you this newsletter, I thought, why not? I have plenty of time.

You are reading article #271. I started with three subscribers; now, there are over 1350.

My original reason for writing the newsletter was to share what I’d learned during 60 years of marriage and four years of caregiving - so others could learn from my mistakes.

However, I read quotes that offered another reason for my decision.

Writing is a great foundation tool for healing. It's a practice that requires a commitment to vulnerability, transparency, and reflection. Implementing a journaling routine will help you understand your feelings, cope with them, and make changes.

Mindful writing allows a person to better relate to their traumatic experience, the act of writing, and their self without getting entangled.

The newsletter allows me to do that in ways I didn’t expect! It’s been the perfect place to express feelings locked inside, sort out my worries, and determine my next steps. I’ve not moved on entirely, but I’ve certainly moved forward.

Writing is a way for me to express what is in my heart and what I can’t say. Often, I rewrite an article several times as I solve a problem or go through a rough patch.

What surprised me was the support and comments from other readers. I thought the process of writing would be healing - and it is, but the words and encouragement of others have added so much as well. I’m eternally grateful for the stories, ideas, and hugs they provide regularly.

I plan to keep writing. The healing continues, and so does the effort to rebuild. It’s a piece of my aging well plan.

P. S. I’d love to have you share the Aging Well Newsletter with others. I want to bring the lessons I’ve learned through the years of life and caregiving to as many people as possible. More than anything, I want to continue to expand our community of readers.

So please forward this email to a friend and invite them to join us. They can subscribe here:

Thank you for being part of the Aging Well community. If you want to contribute to my work, consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association. This link takes you to their website. The choice is yours.