Can writing down your most painful memories actually help you reclaim your personal power?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Writer Sakinah Hofler argues that creative writing is a potent tool for processing difficult experiences. By bearing witness to events we have kept silent about, we can unburden our minds and acknowledge the reality of our past. This simple practice helps transform passive observation into an active, healing reclamation of self.

The act of bearing witness involves recording what we have seen, heard, or experienced. By putting these memories onto paper, we acknowledge their existence rather than letting them remain repressed. A historical example of this is Anne Frank, whose diary provided an intimate record of her family's confinement during one of the most difficult periods in history. This process of documentation is not reserved for professional writers; it is a practical method for anyone to unsilence the things they have kept hidden.

To begin this practice, Hofler suggests a three-step exercise. First, brainstorm a list of at least ten instances where you witnessed something or experienced a situation where you wished you had intervened but did not. This list might include moments of personal trauma, family secrets—such as substance abuse or mental illness—or times you failed to acknowledge the humanity of others. Once you have your list, the second step is to narrow it down to three specific events that feel most pressing or significant to you.

The final phase requires dedicated focus. Hofler recommends setting aside 30 minutes of uninterrupted time, free from digital distractions like phones or email, to write about these three chosen events. Focus on the specific details, the chronological order of what occurred, and most importantly, your emotional response to the experience. By detailing these memories, such as the time Hofler was physically harassed in a mall shortly after 9/11, you move from passive silence to active engagement, allowing yourself to process and eventually release the weight of these memories.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

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