Does writing alter your mood or does your mood alter your writing?

Read my thoughts on today's question, then check out today’s writing prompt at the bottom of this post.

When you sit down to write, do your thoughts and feelings or mood influence what you end up writing? Or does your writing process and what you end up writing end up influencing your mood? Personally, I have experienced both. And maybe that's just ‘normal,’ or part of what to expect from one's writing process?

I've noticed that when I write nonfiction posts or articles for my own publications or clients, I tend to end up in a more somber or serious mood after I write them. Sometimes I feel reflective. Sometimes I just want to watch a funny show or read a romcom afterward. And other times, I want to move around and do something physical so that I don't stay too pensive or serious for too long, because then my spirit and motivation will end up staying low for too long. Is this odd?

Alternatively, when I write pieces that are more creative, I tend to end up in a lighter mood, a more empathetic and compassionate mood, even if what I'm writing isn't necessarily lighthearted, as not much of what I write is. After I write a fictional scene or poem, I tend to want to engage in deep conversations with friends or read more nonfiction source material or reach out to someone with a nice message to make them smile. Creative writing puts me in a space that allows me to consider the world and others around me more vividly somehow. 

Knowing how what I write influences me, I try to adjust what I write to how I want to feel when I am done writing. This isn't always possible, of course, but with a bit of intentionality it's not necessarily impossible either. Sometimes it's quite possible to make such adjustments over the course of a week or month.

Perhaps I am backwards? I'm not sure. All I know is that I like to write various things throughout the week to keep my moods balanced, and my thoughts and overall brain chemistry balanced. And I know that what I end up writing does tend to influence what I think and feel after I'm done writing. Yet I've also found that the reverse is true.

The simple process of writing anything at all tends to be therapeutic for me, in the sense that it allows me to steady my thoughts and focus. After I write, regardless of what I write, my breathing is steadier, my body feels more relaxed, my thoughts are clearer and less jumbled, and I am more aware of my feelings and attitude. After I write, I'm much better attuned to my own thoughts and feelings and what I need to do next as an individual. And most of the time I'm more attuned to others’ thoughts and feelings as well. 

Do you experience any of these things too when or after you write?

What do you think about this topic? Leave a comment to join this dialogue, then share this post with others so they can join the dialogue too. 

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Today’s Writing Prompt