Jenna DiSanto

I did not always love writing, and I was not always the best at writing. Telling a story for me was never fluid and felt like I was missing pieces, or it was out of order. In high school writing a paper was hard, sometimes even writing a paragraph led me through struggles

Finally in my freshman year of college I got the hang of it. It was in my English class where my professor taught us in anecdotes. He filled the classroom with story after story. That class was filled with many lessons and it was there where I really started to grasp writing. It was specifically when we had to write a ‘procedure’ of how to do something, where I found my niche. I chose how to bake chocolate chip cookies; Simple right? After a few drafts and edits, it all started to make sense. I remember writing that like it was yesterday. Now I know that not all writing is done in procedural form, but this was a good doorway to writing for me

Later in college (a different college), I found that I would take up writing again, but more in a journal form. I had written in many secret diaries growing up, and as much as they were an account of the happenings of the now, my ‘now’ self has chosen to call them journals.

I remember in college, there was this specific spot in the main library that I loved to sit. The sun would always shine through the ceiling windows right onto the desk…Automatic warmth and comfort. I had a steno pad, it was red, something I probably got at the dollar store. It was mostly a planner for each week, as I would draw in the days what I due, and when there were tests, you know, school things…
After a while, I started getting really attached to this red steno pad. I would even go into school early just to snag that seat in the library and write. It started with poetry, rhyming poetry, as that was pretty much all I thought poetry was at the time (boy was I wrong).
Then as the thoughts kept coming, along with the words, I ended up with a pile of empty journals at my side, readily available. I bought so many journals (still do) and began to fill them all.
Some would be like bullet journals, others would be for poetry, and some would turn into notebooks for work; there was an endless possibility within those pages. This continued for many years and journaling is now part of my everydayThis blog included.

As far as the writing aspect of things, well, thankfully in my job I am able to create procedures, just not about baking chocolate chip cookies. And I get to write fancy, corporate emails which I surprisingly love ~ it’s fun for me

So, I titled this, Why I love writing and how journaling has helped me heal, so how has journalling continued to help me heal?

Writing is my biggest form of release; A chance for me to be creative with my words, play with the narrative, release emotion, understand my emotions, share my story, and so much more.
Blank pages to me aren’t just pages or pieces of paper, they are a chance for me to express myself. They are an opportunity for me to come alive with words, a chance for me to say everything that I need to say all while being completely silent.

It sounds silly, but it is so true.
Whether I am having a stressful day and need to vent, or had an amazing moment I want to document in words, I can easily choose to free write. And if I am ever just simply in the mood for writing but don’t know where to start, I can get guidance from a prompt.

Writing for me will always mean many things; I plan to welcome in the years of writing to come with open arms as I learn to develop new skills, styles, and habits of writing. I will embrace the way writing has helped me, and continues to help me everyday.

“Writing in a journal each day, with a structured, strategic process allows you to direct your focus to what you did accomplish, what you’re grateful for, and what you’re committed to doing better tomorrow. Thus, you more deeply enjoy your journey each day…”

-Hal elrod