What I Learned By Writing About My Trauma
I published personal essays about my dysfunctional childhood — was it worth it?
Recently a friend and I were discussing the act of writing about trauma. She said that our trauma is ours, and we are allowed to do with it as we please. If that means writing about it, then certainly there are less constructive ways to process something so challenging and personal.
Her words stayed with me throughout the rest of the day. My friend is also a writer, and she understands how the process of writing about trauma can be transformative. The reason that books and essays about traumatic and difficult experiences — books like Tara Westover’s memoir Educated — are so popular is because people find dysfunctional lives relatable and interesting.
Most of us didn’t grow up in an abusive family and repressive religion like Westover, but many of us have encountered our own challenges and can relate to the emotions and feelings Westover describes. We can also marvel at how she overcame the difficulties that are much more incredible than average.
If you’re thinking about writing a personal essay or memoir about something extraordinarily challenging you experienced, especially if it was a traumatic experience mentally and emotionally, you should know what you are…
