Between Escape and Transformation: My Journey with Words

Reading and writing are like two sides of the same coin; one expands my mind, and the other frees my heart. Sometimes reading was an escape, a way to slip into another world when my own felt too heavy. Other times, it was transformative, changing the way I saw myself and the world around me.

Over time, writing followed the same path. It evolved from a simple creative outlet into a tool for healing and a way to process my thoughts. Today, it remains my most effective strategy for coping with whatever life throws at me.

Words, Words Everywhere:

I used to be a voracious reader in my late teens and early twenties, the kind who could spend an entire day (and night) lost in a book, mostly fiction. I remember finishing one book every two to three days. Those were the days when life was simple, and my parents took care of everything, leaving me free to immerse myself in my books. I remember waiting all day for college to end just so I could rush to the nearest library and pick out a new book to read. I can still feel the rush of excitement as I browsed the shelves, reading the backs of books to find a story that inspired me.

I read many different kinds of authors back then. My favorite author (and still my favorite today) was Ken Follett. HisThe Pillars of the Earth was the only book I loved enough to read twice. He wasn’t the only one who captured my imagination though. I also read most of the books by Jeffrey Archer, as well as Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. And like most, I have read and enjoyed Lord of the rings and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. I still have a library in my home dedicated to those authors...a small reminder of the worlds I once loved losing myself in. I read horror fiction as well, reading most of the books by Stephen King.

That love of words naturally found another outlet for expression: poetry. I was a self-proclaimed poet back then in high school, with poems published in the school yearbook and a few competition wins to my name. My paternal grandfather nurtured that love early on, proudly sharing my poems with others and reading every short story I wrote with genuine interest and giving thoughtful feedback. Scrabble was my favorite board game when I was growing up and I don’t like board games in general.

My passion for writing even shaped my choices as I got older. I chose English Literature as one of my Majors during my Bachelors, besides Psychology and Political Science, reading Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats and Frost as a part of the curriculum. While still in college, I completed a postgraduate diploma in journalism simply because I loved writing so deeply, even though I ultimately chose a different career path. I did, however, dabble a little in that world: I worked on an editorial team at a marketing company and later let my creativity flow as a copywriter at an advertising firm, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed, though it was brief.

As life unfolded, though, the practicalities of education and building a future took priority, and the creative part of me was quietly set aside. I still have a collection of poems from those younger days, titled Bare Hymns. When I revisit them now, they feel a little raw and juvenile, but they remind me of the voice I was still learning to find. At the time, writing poems helped me articulate emotions I didn’t yet have words for, and gave me a way to understand what I was feeling.

Stories Left Unfinished:

My passion for writing later led me to attempt fiction. In 2008, I began a novel and reached nearly100 pages before losing momentum and setting it aside. I made another attempt with another story in 2019, but life grew hectic once more, and I couldn’t give it the attention it needed. Over time, the dream of completing a novel faded into the background, but my love of writing never left. Even though those manuscripts were never finished, the act of writing them became an important way for me to process and cope with life’s stressors. Today, I find that passion resurfacing through non-fiction. Writing my blog now serves as an outlet, a way to make sense of my thoughts when they feel heavy.

Reconnecting with Creativity:

I assisted my late husband with his published works, which included two poetry books (2019, 2021) and a collection of short stories (2021). I truly enjoyed reading his drafts and offering small suggestions, and the experience inspired me to return to my own writing. But life always seemed too busy to carve out the time and mental space to think and express myself through words. It wasn’t until my older child left for college and moved to another town, and a few other important parts of life had finally settled, that I found the time and space to begin writing again.

Words that Inspire:

That renewed interest in writing also changed how I approached reading. It became more than a pastime; it turned into a source of inspiration, learning, and healing. Gradually, I found myself drawn less to fiction and more to non-fiction, as I looked for deeper understanding.

I’m currently reading Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, whose work inspired my Vulnerability Hangover blog last month. I’ve also explored audiobooks and recently finished Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen. Currently, I’m listening to Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards. Still, reading holds more of my focus than listening, as I often try to multitask when I listen and end up losing track of what’s being said.

Where Words Heal:

As I continue to read and write, I have noticed that my relationship with words is continually evolving. They’re no longer just stories, ideas, or coping tools; they’re companions in my healing.

They remind me of my resilience when I feel lost and give shape to feelings I don’t always know how to process. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen all at once…It happens slowly, word by word, page by page.

When I feel overwhelmed or need to take some personal space, I sit down at my desk late in the night when everything is quiet... a white water bottle and books on my desk, dimmed lights, and music playing in the background and start writing my blogs, a lot of times till early morning hours. When I cant sleep or wake up in the middle of the night due to insomnia, I go on my blogs and reread them and add new ideas instead of mindless browsing. It's a way of keeping my mind occupied and coping with things that I feel too stressful at the moment. They have become a place for me to express and cope at the same time.

Looking back, every chapter of my journey, from escaping into novels to writing poetry, from unfinished manuscripts to thoughtful essays, has shaped how I navigate moments when emotions feel too big to express.

Reading continues to expand my mind. Writing still frees my heart. Together, they remain my most trusted tools for healing and growth.

 Between Escape and Transformation: My Journey with Words