As I continue talking about the pros of blogging as a birth parent, I find it necessary to talk about the healing aspects of blogging and writing next. I could save it for last, as I do find it to be one of the most important reasons behind blogging, but I just want my readers to know and understand this benefit.

The act of writing, whether publicly or privately, can be a catalyst in one's healing. I found an amazing quote as to why that is (meaning, I'm not just making this stuff up!) on another website that found the reason in an afterword to a book.

All of the evidence would suggest that writing brings about a general reduction in biological stress. That is, when an individual has come to terms with an upsetting experience, he or she is less vigilant about the world and potential threats. This results in an overall lowering of defenses. . . . Given the broad range of improvements in health outcomes, it would be prudent to conclude that writing provokes a rather broad and nonspecific pattern of biological changes that are generally salutary.

See? I said that I wasn't just making this stuff up. Writing creates healing. I have felt it in my own life and many other writers, bloggers or otherwise, will attest to the same feeling.

As birth parents, we have some healing work to do. Whether we're happy with the current situation or not, there are some emotional wounds that need healing. Perhaps thinking about the time you spent in the hospital makes you too upset to even enter a hospital. Maybe memories of the pregnancy came back to haunt you during a subsequent pregnancy. Maybe you're full of self-doubt. Maybe you think you should be happier considering the hand you have been dealt. Whatever your inner thoughts, even those who aren't touched by adoption have similar thoughts, feelings and fears. Everyone can benefit from writing.

When blogging about adoption as a birth parent, the healing that comes from writing the words is further helped along by the comments and support of others. For example, if you share something that has been nagging at you for eons and someone else steps up and says, "I've been there, too," the relief is immediate. That give-and-take of the blogging world is more gratifying than that of those writers who only hear critic's reviews of their books. Instead of having your spelling and grammar and voice argued over by hoity-toity reviewers, you are immediately getting to the nitty-gritty by those who have been there, done that and, as such, understand. You also get some negative points of view thrown in as well, but we'll talk about those next week.

Another great point regarding the healing aspects of blogging is that you can watch your healing take place. Simply click back through your archives a year or so later and you will be encouraged by the progress you have made. You will be able to see where you were, what you have come through and will most likely be able to make a plan to get where you need to be. It is such a healing thing to see the progress that you make in short or longer timelines.

All in all, the healing aspects of blogging alone make it so worthwhile to birth parents. And still, there are more positive reasons for birth parents to blog. Tune in again tomorrow for yet another great point!


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For more on bloggers and blogging, read these posts.




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