Writing Puzzle Pieces
Do you need to wade through the past and make some order, but you have a hard time staying focused? Writing is the best solution I’ve found.
When I think, my mind jumps everywhere, but when I write, it slows everything down and brings the important parts into focus. It’s like the critical areas know what they are, and they want to come out, but they cower in the chaos of other life activities. Unless I give the okay, they are trapped inside, pounding against a locked door. Journaling unlocks that door. It gives them permission to come out.
I usually write pointless nonsense, page after page, but when I keep writing, a little snippet gathers courage and leaps onto the paper. All the rest is rubbish, but that little piece is a keeper. When I see that little treasure, my mind shouts, “Yes! That’s it! That’s what I wanted to say!” It’s only one clue to the bigger picture, but it is important.
I think of that as a puzzle piece. When you notice some way you’ve grown or realize why something rubbed you the wrong way, it’s enlightening. That moment itself is an exciting reward, but It isn’t the final goal. It’s only the start of something bigger!
Writing isn’t the only way to gather puzzle pieces. Other good ways are talking, looking through photos, re-reading old letters or emails, and revisiting significant places. Those can all revive memories and feelings which can be pieced together.
A piece here. A piece there. Like a physical puzzle, it takes time and commitment to the project. With an actual puzzle, there tend to be different stages. You flip pieces over, sort by color and pattern, and set aside the edge pieces. You ask people to help you work. You look at the box lid and try to gather hints. Before long, a couple pieces connect. Those pieces fit with another section. A picture starts to appear.
It's the same with revisiting the past. When we slow down, go back, dedicate time, sit with the memories and arrange them, we notice details and connections we never saw before.
Writing about the past puts things into perspective. As I age, some things that impacted me as a child make more sense. Sometimes, years later, I hold onto the emotion I felt in a moment, but when I take time to put the larger picture together, my feelings shift and mature. Very often, the memory comes out with a different context when I put the puzzle pieces together.
Whether you write your puzzle pieces, or gather them some other way, arranging your life-puzzle is an eye-opening and worthwhile way to look at your past.
Challenges/Points:
Try writing as a way to look at your past. It’s a good way to remove extra fluff and narrow in on what is important.
Chances are, you won’t sort through everything at once, but bits of insight can be combined like pieces of a puzzle to gradually give you a bigger picture.
Taking time to gather pieces of your past and put them together can be rewarding and healing.
Questions:
Have you ever used writing to work through memories and make more sense out of your past?
If so, was it helpful? What are some pluses and minuses?
Even a few minutes every day can make a big difference over time. Why not try digging up a few puzzle pieces?
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