Chapter 1: Understanding the Healing Effects of Writing

Writing serves as a powerful tool for introspection, revealing that many of our stressors are often products of our imagination.

Imagine a warm cup of coffee alongside a blank diary—this simple combination becomes a form of therapy. Each written thought, every fleeting idea swirling within me, finds its place on the page. My mind resembles a bustling city, filled with endless streets and crowds, yet my focus often drifts elsewhere. With every ink stroke, I release a burden, lightening my mental load. My handwriting shifts to reflect my mood, each day bringing fresh reasons to express gratitude. The tactile pleasure of a ballpoint pen allows raw emotions—be it anger, joy, frustration, or fear—to flow freely onto the paper. This act of self-confession transforms into a profound therapeutic experience.

I unveil the hidden aspects of myself, allowing unspoken words to settle into my being. They linger, becoming weights that I carry. Let’s dedicate time to understand ourselves better—let’s capture our feelings on paper. Journaling is an invaluable exercise for clarity, helping us to release what we often overlook. We must refrain from self-judgment and simply let our emotions spill out, observing what unfolds.

Consider the game of skipping stones across a lake, where the objective is to keep the stone bouncing on the surface. This playful act mirrors the essence of writing therapy. Each sentence crafted is akin to a stone cast onto the water's surface, allowing us to share our thoughts without the pressure of perfection.

With the chaos of modern life, carving out time for oneself has become increasingly challenging. Let’s seize just fifteen minutes from our daily routines to nurture our minds and organize our thoughts. This is the perfect opportunity; we have time to spare. If not now, when? The habit of procrastination can be broken by committing to this practice. Choosing a dedicated writing tool, like selecting an outfit for a special occasion, adds significance to this endeavor. Our pens are like shoes, leaving marks that tell our stories, so let’s choose wisely.

As with meditation or spiritual practices, we should approach this with no expectations. Let’s jot down the date and brew some tea, creating a moment of tranquility devoid of distractions. This is our meditative therapy session. Each day, we should seek something to be thankful for, capturing new ideas that inspire us. Have a brilliant thought? Write it down. Did life present you with a smile? Document it. Is there a worry stealing your sleep? Get it onto the page.

Allow your mind to wander and find joy in your own company, with tea serving as a companion in silence. Put on your headphones and let inspiration wash over you.

I’ve penned countless pages, poems, and letters, filling my diaries with dialogues with myself. It’s enlightening to revisit my past self, recognizing how deeply I once struggled before learning to embrace self-love. I’ve forgiven myself after many internal battles. It’s essential to document our love for ourselves to ensure we don’t forget. While I may not soar just yet, I’ve certainly lifted the weight of my thoughts, and one day, I will take flight, guided by the manifestations captured in these pages.

Months ago, I acquired a new planner, determined to tackle a challenge I had long desired to complete: a 75-day training regimen without a single day off. Each day, I recorded my weight, joys, frustrations, and experiences, reflecting on the motivations behind my decisions.

Every endeavor has a purpose. Understanding the "why" behind our actions is crucial to overcoming temporary excuses. Whenever I felt like quitting, I picked up my pen and expressed my feelings and motivations. This "why" fuels our daily lives; even this book is rooted in a deeper purpose; otherwise, it would merely be scattered sheets lacking meaning.

I began sharing my thoughts and insights, channeling my creativity and frustrations into conversations. I reminded myself that I am not alone; we all possess the capacity for extraordinary achievements. Upon reaching fifty reflections, I seriously contemplated compiling them into a collection: a book of one hundred reflections. This would not be a traditional narrative but a tapestry of the writer's soul, woven together in one cohesive space.

This book transcends the definition of a book.

It is a poem, a confession, a diary, a letter of forgiveness, a conversation with a friend, a love story—both begun and concluded—a journey, a challenge, an experiment, a dream, a reality. It embodies everything but the conventional notion of a book.

I documented all my progress and the various projects I undertook. The final day of my 75-day challenge was marked by celebration. Ultimately, I realized that the true victory lay not in completing the challenge itself, but in motivating others to embark on their own journeys. The real joy stemmed from shared experiences—laughing, crying, sweating, and documenting every moment. If my sole aim was to cross the finish line, I would have missed the rich nuances of true victory, losing sight of the underlying reason that compelled me to begin. The "why" is often a personal secret, known only to ourselves.

The project I initiated is now complete. I am reaping the rewards and feeling a deep sense of pride and gratitude. The challenge was successfully accomplished, and I even inspired several friends to join me. I learned valuable lessons during the days when I felt like a burden to myself, as well as the moments when I embraced my own company. Even in loneliness and coldness during late nights, it was comforting to anticipate the warmth of spring.

I commenced this challenge on December 31, 2019, and concluded it on March 14, 2020. I emerged changed—more grateful and composed.

Journaling is both miraculous and therapeutic.

Each session acts as a breath of fresh air.

Each word penned is one less weight in the mind.

I cannot quantify the amounts of tea and coffee consumed while writing, nor how much ink it took to complete this work. But if I can impart anything, it is the joy and healing found in writing. I urge you to pick up a ballpoint pen and begin documenting your feelings, passions, and thoughts. Paint your life with words, engaging in honest dialogue with yourself. Allow yourself to express love and grant forgiveness to your inner self.

Everything will be alright, I assure you.

If there is a moral to this narrative, it is the significance of setting goals and recording your journey. I encourage you to document your dreams and contemplate what it takes to realize them. Visualize your freedom, sketching its essence on paper. Imagine yourself as a light cloud, observing your thoughts from above. Write down your fears, gradually diminishing their power until they vanish. Writing illuminates the truth that many of our anxieties are merely illusions. Embrace the present, savoring every moment rather than waiting for a destination. The storm will pass, and clarity will emerge.

I hope you take that planner and fill it with your thoughts, living each day to its fullest. May it be the book where your journey begins, where your promises take shape. Let the first word be the inception of a new chapter in your life.

I have long confessed my emotions on loose paper and digital notepads, but I have recently committed to this practice daily. Taking time to articulate your vision each day is a melody to which you can lose yourself. I wrote about my aspirations for a motorcycle before even owning one. I envisioned its colors and design before having a single penny to my name.

I documented my road trip in Iceland, the exhilarating feeling of freedom, and even the chilling showers I anticipated. Once there, I captured my memories on paper, sharing countless cups of tea with a friend, allowing gratitude to guide my writing. I cannot say if those pages will ever be published, but they undeniably illuminated my journey.

I wrote about my hitchhiking adventure from Copenhagen to home, feeling the fear of departure and the uncertainty of my choice. Nevertheless, I surrendered to the thrill of writing during my travels—at rest stops and in the fleeting moments between cities. It became two weeks filled with adrenaline and spontaneity. I penned my aspirations for a bike trip from Bologna to Tangier, contemplating my motivations and plans, even without a set date. One day, I will ride, capturing each moment of that journey. Perhaps it will evolve into a book or a documentary. For now, I allow this daydream to guide me from the rooftop of my rented studio apartment. I envision my future home, picturing how I will acquire it, dreaming of the space that will welcome my loved ones. The value of life lies not in material wealth but in the thoughts that inhabit our minds. We can either nurture our thoughts or allow them to become our adversaries.

Magic occurs when we cultivate thoughts with positivity, shedding the weight that burdens us. Dreams are merely realities awaiting belief. Trust in yourself and take the first step toward your desires. The ultimate goal is happiness; the path to achieving it lies in our perspective. I am grateful for the years spent writing, for the journals that captured thoughts that were never truly mine. I now recognize the spectrum of colors, pains, and joys embedded in every sensation.

I appreciate your attention to my musings. Thank you for dedicating time to this book. Writing is therapeutic.

WRITING IS THE TEA WE NEED WHEN THE WORLD FALLS STILL. LET’S GRAB OUR DIARIES AND PENS TO WRITE OUR INITIAL WORDS: EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, I PROMISE.

This text is part of a collection written four years ago and published in Italian. Recently, I translated it into English, and it can be found here: Everything will be fine, I promise.

Chapter 2: The Journey Continues