The Quiet Power of Writing Through Mental Overwhelm
We’ve all had days where our minds feel like overstuffed closets, thoughts crammed in every corner, old memories spilling out, to-do lists toppling over. Mental overwhelm doesn’t just feel chaotic; it robs us of clarity, calmness, and our ability to make healthy decisions. Most of us try to “push through” or “stay busy,” but our nervous system doesn’t work that way. Your brain is designed to process experiences and emotions, if it doesn’t have the space to do so, they linger like background noise, draining your mental energy.
Writing is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to create that space.
Why Writing Works When you write by hand, your brain has to slow down to match the pace of your pen. This forces you to focus, sift, and choose what matters. Neurologically, you’re moving overwhelming thoughts from the reactive limbic system to the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for problem-solving and perspective.
Think of it like untangling a knot: writing gives you the patience and clarity to work through each thread instead of pulling harder and making the mess worse.
A Practical 15-Minute Reset If your thoughts feel like a storm, here’s a quick method I teach:
Dump Without Editing Write down every thought in your mind, from “I need to pay that bill” to “I’m scared I’m falling behind.” Don’t judge, just empty it out.
Highlight What’s Real vs. What’s Noise Circle the thoughts that actually require action. Cross out the ones that are spirals or worries you can’t control.
Choose One Next Step Pick just one thing to do today. Let the rest sit. This method works because it stops you from trying to solve everything at once, which is often the root cause of overwhelm.
When to Use It • Before bed, if your mind is racing • On Monday mornings, to start fresh • After a stressful conversation • When you can’t seem to focus
Deepening the Practice If this resonates, my Mindful Moments for Anxiety and Chronic Illness workbook is designed to guide you through structured thought releases, daily check-ins, and reflection prompts so you can process overwhelm consistently. It’s more than blank pages, it’s a gentle mental health tool you can turn to every day.