There have been so many nights where I’ve sat with a notebook open and tears quietly slipping down my face—writing the only way I could make sense of what I was feeling.
Sometimes, journaling wasn’t enough. The thoughts were too jumbled. Too raw. That’s when poetry found me—when life felt too heavy, and I didn’t have the words to say out loud what I was really thinking.
Poetry isn’t about writing something “beautiful.” It’s about being honest. It’s about survival. In this post, I want to share how poetry helped me cope during some of my darkest times—how it helped me give shape to feelings I couldn’t name, and how it can do the same for you.
Whether you’re battling anxiety, trauma, or just trying to make it through the day, I promise—there’s power in putting your truth into words.
Why Poetry Is a Safe Space for Hard Emotions
- Poetry lets you express things without needing everything to make sense
- You don’t need to follow rules or grammar—it’s your truth, raw and real
- Writing can create distance between you and overwhelming emotions
- It gives you a space to be honest, without worrying how it sounds to anyone else
- When you’re not ready to talk to someone, poetry listens
Writing Poems When You’re Struggling Mentally
- Some days, I only managed a single line—and that was enough
- Use imagery, metaphors, or even fragmented thoughts—however it comes out, let it come
- Prompts that helped me when I felt stuck or scared
- How I used poetry to write about things I couldn’t say out loud
- Creating a ritual: lighting a candle, playing soft music, and letting the words flow
Reading Poetry That Speaks to Your Pain
- Poems I turned to when I felt like no one understood
- How other people’s words made me feel seen
- Creating a “comfort folder” of poems for anxious or depressive moments
- Letting yourself feel instead of fight your emotions while reading
- Discovering that you’re not alone in how you feel
Sharing Your Words Without Shame
- It took me years to let anyone read what I wrote—but when I did, it helped
- Vulnerability feels scary, but it also invites connection
- Online poetry communities that feel safe and affirming
- Turning your pain into something that helps others feel less alone
- The healing that happens when your words are received with kindness
How Poetry Fits into a Mental Health Routine
- Combining poetry with journaling, therapy, or quiet time
- Using poetry to check in with your emotions each day
- Creating a poetry journal—messy, unfiltered, real
- Setting boundaries with your writing—what to explore, what to hold gently
- Remembering it’s okay to take breaks and not write at all some days
Poetry helped me survive when I felt like I was drowning in thoughts I couldn’t speak aloud. It helped me sit with truths I was too scared to face, and gently hold space for healing to begin. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, try writing—just a few words, just for you. You might be surprised how much weight you let go of through your pen. Let your story spill out, even if it comes out jumbled. There’s no wrong way to feel. And there’s no wrong way to write your way back to yourself.
