Is writing meant to soothe others, or to heal the writer?

Writing: A Dual Journey of Comforting Others and Healing Oneself

Writing is like a bridge that spans the chasms of the soul, connecting the inner worlds of the writer and the reader. It serves both as a remedy for the writer’s own healing and as a balm to comfort others — radiating a unique brilliance where self-redemption and emotional solace intertwine.

For many, writing is a journey of self-healing. In the long river of life, we inevitably face setbacks, pain, and confusion. Our emotions surge like waves, needing an outlet to be released. At such moments, writing becomes a safe harbor.

The renowned author Haruki Murakami, for instance, once ran a jazz bar in his youth, his life busy and exhausting. Yet his passion for literature never waned. One day, while watching a baseball game, he was suddenly struck by the urge to write — and thus began his literary journey. He poured his reflections on life, meditations on human nature, and feelings of loneliness and struggle into his works. Through writing, he found a way to converse with himself, heal the wounds life had inflicted, and discover a deep sense of peace and strength.

Similarly, Sanmao lived a life full of extraordinary experiences — marked by love, loss, and the uncertainties of drifting across countries. She used her writing to record her life in the Sahara Desert. These seemingly simple yet poetic stories reflected her love and resilience toward life. In the process of writing, she soothed her own loneliness in a foreign land while offering warmth and strength to her readers.

Writing also holds the power to comfort others. When we share our experiences and insights through words, it’s like lighting a lantern in the dark — offering guidance to those lost in difficulty.

Helen Keller, who lost both sight and hearing at just 19 months old, lived in a world of darkness and silence and experienced despair and pain. Yet through writing, she shared her journey and deep love for life. Her book “The Story of My Life” and the renowned “Three Days to See” have inspired countless people facing adversity, showing them that no matter how hard life gets, one must face it with courage and cherish every moment. Her words became a pair of warm hands — soothing wounded hearts, and giving readers strength and hope.

Then there is Shi Tiesheng, who, after losing the use of his legs, fell into deep suffering and confusion. But through writing, he pondered the meaning of life and explored the value of existence. His work “I and the Temple of Earth” moved countless readers with its quiet resilience and beauty. Through his words, he comforted those facing hardship, reminding them that even in the midst of suffering, joy can be found — that even in despair, there is always hope.

Writing is both a journey of healing the self and an act of kindness toward others. It allows us to express ourselves while warming the hearts of those who read our words. Whether it is for self-healing or for comforting others, writing possesses immense power and beauty. So let us pick up our pens, write about life, touch hearts with emotion, and in the world of words, find our own peace — while offering warmth and solace to others.