Writing and being creative can be a helpful way to support your mental health and wellbeing. It gives you time to pause, reflect and make sense of your thoughts. It can also give you a safe space to explore your feelings and let your imagination grow.
In this article, we’re going to look at some of the benefits of creative writing for your mental health, and also share some prompts to get you started if you want to give it a go.
The benefits of creative writing for your mental health
Writing isn’t just a creative activity – it can also be a simple, evidence‑based way of supporting your mental health. Lots of research has been carried out to look at the benefits of creative writing. Some examples of the possible benefits include:
- Helping you to organise your thoughts
- Processing emotions
- Boosting your imagination and creativity
- Improving your conversation skills
- Increasing self-esteem
- Improving attention span
- Strengthening memory
Over time these benefits can contribute to your development, not only as a writer but as a person.
Creative writing prompts to get you started
As Alex, a volunteer with our BAND community‑based mental health service in Bolton, explains, the hardest part is often getting started. Once you push past the blank page and begin writing, ideas usually start to flow more easily. Over time, writing becomes more enjoyable and your confidence grows.
Similar to the snowball effect, the more you write the easier it becomes and your imagination will no doubt grow as well.
To help you get going, here are nine simple creative writing prompts you can try. You don’t need any special equipment – just something to write with, something to write on and a few minutes.
1. Write about a colour
Pick a colour and write a paragraph or poem about it. Think about:
- what it reminds you of
- how it makes you feel
- any memories linked to it
- what it might sound or smell like.
Keep it simple and let the colour guide your ideas.
2. Freewriting
Set a timer for five minutes and write without stopping until the timer ends. Even if you’re writing about not knowing what to write about, just keep your pen moving. And don’t worry about spelling or whether it makes sense.
When you’re finished, read over what you wrote and see if anything stands out. Can you develop anything you wrote a little further with some thought?
With a bit of practise, you might feel comfortable setting the timer for a bit longer. Try increasing the time from five minutes to 10 and see how you get on. If freewriting is an exercise you grow to enjoy, try increasing the time even more.
3. Look outside
Go to a window wherever you are and look outside. Write one paragraph about what you can see, hear, and smell.
Then write another paragraph imagining the same scene in a fantasy world:
- How might it change?
- What might appear?
- What do you see, hear, and smell now?
4. Imagine you’re an animal
Choose an animal and write from its point of view – but don’t say which animal you’ve chosen.
Use all five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch) to describe what the world looks and feels like. Have you always been an animal? Have you suddenly turned into one?
If you feel comfortable, you could develop what you’ve written into a poem or a short story.
5. Write two sentences that make a complete short story
Start by writing a short paragraph on anything you like. Then reduce it until only two sentences remain, but still tell a complete story.
This helps you focus on what’s essential and sharpen your storytelling skills.
6. Imagine you’re an alien
You’ve just arrived on Earth and have no idea what a TV or another common household object is. Describe it from the perspective of someone encountering it for the first time:
- What does it look like?
- What does it do?
- How does it behave?
- How does it make you feel? Are you confused? Fascinated? Frightened?
Imagine you're an alien who has just arrived on Earth. What's it like when you first encounter a household object that's commonplace for humans?
7. Find a photograph
Choose any photo: yourself, a family member, a pet, an object or even something abstract. Write a poem or paragraph describing the photo in detail.
Think about:
- the emotions the photo brings up
- who or what is missing
- what happened just before or after the moment was captured
- how the photo connects to your life now.
You could also write about what you can’t see – what’s happening just outside the frame of the photo. Things to think about include:
- Who took the photo?
- Is anyone else around?
- What’s the mood or occasion?
If you’d like to take this further, you could reinterpret the photograph in a different way. Imagine:
- the same moment from another person’s viewpoint
- the scene taking place in a different time period
- what the image would look like if it belonged in a fantasy or science fiction world.
8. Use a random word generator
You can either use our five randomly-selected words:
- Mind
- Wish
- Seize
- Sleep
- Soap
…or you can try a random word generator to get another set of random words. Use all the words to create a poem or short story. Try to let the words shape the direction of your writing. You might:
- build a single story that includes all of them
- use each word as a separate prompt for different lines
- consider an unexpected theme that comes up with the combination of words.
9. Put on your favourite song
Using earphones if you can, listen to your favourite song all the way through, paying attention to every detail. Think about the rhythm, vocals, harmonies and any subtle sounds you might normally miss.
Then play it again and write about whatever comes up:
- What thoughts do the lyrics trigger?
- What emotions do you feel?
- Does it bring up any memories?
- What images does the music create?
Write a poem or short story inspired by this experience. Feel free to include the song title or lyrics if they help express what you’re trying to explore.
Supporting your mental health with creative writing
Taking even a few minutes to write can help you pause, reflect and look after your mental wellbeing in a way that feels personal to you. Whether you choose one of the ideas above or find your own prompts and exercises, have a go and see how creative writing benefits you.
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