The Healing Power of Journaling and Poetry in Exploring Social Justice Themes

Journaling and poetry offer powerful ways to process emotions and reflect on complex social issues. They provide a space to explore personal experiences and broader societal challenges, especially those related to mental health, identity, and justice. This post discusses how I have used these creative practices to support mental well-being while engaging with complex topics like grief, loss, policing, and colonization. Drawing from my two books that blend journal writing and poetry, I will discuss how art becomes a tool for healing and critical reflection.

A journal open to handwritten reflections.

Healing Power of Journaling: a Tool for Mental Health and Self-Acceptance

Journaling is more than just recording daily events. It can be a therapeutic practice that helps people understand their emotions and build self-acceptance. In my book, It Don't Hurt Now: My Journey of Self-Love and Self-Acceptance, I used journal excerpts to reveal my personal growth through writing. The act of putting thoughts on paper allows for reflection on pain, healing, and resilience.

Some key benefits of journaling and its healing power include:

• Clarifying thoughts and feelings: Writing helps organize emotions that might feel overwhelming or confusing.

• Tracking progress: Journals can show how feelings change over time, highlighting growth and healing.

• Providing a private space: Writing privately encourages honesty without fear of judgment.

• Encouraging mindfulness: Journaling invites focus on the present moment and self-awareness.

  
  

By sharing journal excerpts, I aimed to demonstrate how raw, honest writing can foster self-love and acceptance. This process is especially important when dealing with trauma or social issues that affect mental health.

Poetry as a Medium for Social Justice Conversations

Poetry captures emotions and ideas in a condensed, impactful form. My chapbook, Thick Black Lines, used poetry to address heavy themes, including grief, the policing of Black bodies, gentrification, and colonization. Divided into three sections—Thick, Black, and Lines—the book guides readers through personal and political struggles.

Thick: Exploring Mental Health and Trauma

The first section, Thick, confronts complex topics like depression and sexual abuse. Poems such as Depression Be Like and While You Were Judging Me for Being Fat give voice to experiences often stigmatized or misunderstood. These poems create empathy and challenge readers to reconsider assumptions about mental health and body image.

Black: Addressing Contemporary Social Justice Issues

The Black section focuses on issues affecting Black communities today. Poems like When Karens Cry and Attacking Critical Race Theory Won't Make Me Forget tackle racism, policing, and education debates. These works highlight the ongoing struggles for justice and recognition, encouraging readers to engage critically with current events.

Lines: Reflecting on History and Place

The final section, Lines, connects present-day issues to historical contexts of colonization and gentrification. Poems such as Bodies That Know Boxes and Suffer Little Children use vivid imagery and ekphrasis to explore how history shapes communities and identities, drawing on a photograph by Marion Palfi. This section invites readers to see the lasting impact of displacement and cultural erasure.

A black and white photo of Christie Cruise sitting in front of a painting. Photo taken by Katie Wright Photography.

How Journaling and Poetry Work Together

Both journaling and poetry offer unique but complementary ways to process complex emotions and social realities. Journaling allows for free-flowing, personal reflection, while poetry distills those reflections into powerful, artistic expressions. Together, they:

• Support healing by providing outlets for pain and grief.

• Encourage critical thinking about social justice issues.

• Create connection between personal experience and larger community struggles.

• Offer creative empowerment by turning complex topics into meaningful art.

  
  

In Thick Black Lines, journaling was a key part of processing the themes explored in the poems. This shows how writing in different forms can deepen understanding and emotional release.

Practical Tips for Using Journaling and Poetry in Your Own Life

If you want to explore journaling or poetry as tools for healing and social awareness, here are some practical steps:

• Set aside regular time for writing, even if just 10 minutes a day.

• Write honestly without worrying about grammar or style.

• Use prompts related to your feelings or social issues you care about.

• Experiment with poetic forms such as free verse or ekphrasis to express complex ideas.

• Reflect on your writing to notice patterns or insights.

• Share your work with trusted friends or groups if you feel comfortable.

  
  

These practices can help you process emotions, build resilience, and engage thoughtfully with the world around you.