How Writing Became My Lifeline

The Power of Creativity in Hard Times:

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by Лена Усович

It’s been almost three years since I left Ukraine and started my life in Canada. The war forced me to leave everything behind—my home, my career, and the life I had built for myself. When I arrived here, I thought the hardest part would be over once I had settled into this new reality. But I was wrong. Challenges don’t simply end when you cross a border. They evolve, and they stay with you in ways you don’t always expect.

Even now, years later, I find myself navigating moments of uncertainty, loneliness, and self-doubt. The challenges may not look the same as they did when I first arrived, but they’re still there. I’ve learned that this is just life: a constant ebb and flow of difficulties and triumphs. What’s made the difference for me is not the absence of struggles but how I’ve chosen to face them.

For me, writing has been my lifeline. It’s the one thing that has always been there for me, even in my darkest moments. I’ve been writing since childhood, and it has always been my way of processing the world around me. But it wasn’t until I moved to Canada that writing became more than just a passion—it became my therapy.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, instead of running from my emotions, I sit down with my notebook or my laptop and let the words flow. Sometimes, I don’t even know what I’m writing until it appears on the page. It’s like having a conversation with myself, one that helps me untangle my thoughts and emotions. Writing doesn’t solve my problems, but it helps me see them more clearly. It gives me a sense of control when everything feels chaotic.

One of the most challenging periods for me was when I felt completely disconnected—from my old life, from the new world I was trying to adapt to, and even from myself. It was during those moments that I started writing what would eventually become my first book. At the time, I didn’t think of it as a project or even as something I’d ever share with the world. It was just a way to cope, to channel my feelings into something tangible.

That book, Sect, is now nearing completion. It’s a psychological thriller, and while it’s not directly about my life, it’s deeply rooted in my experiences. The themes of resilience, strength, and finding light in the darkness are all things I’ve lived through. In many ways, this book is a testament to the power of creativity. It’s proof that even in our hardest moments, we can create something meaningful.

But writing isn’t the only form of therapy. I have a close friend who turns to cooking when life feels overwhelming. When she’s struggling or doesn’t feel like talking, she immerses herself in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes and creating dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. For her, the act of cooking is a way to focus, to lose herself in the moment, and to find peace.

Another friend of mine finds solace in painting. She once told me that when she feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders, she picks up a brush and lets the colors tell her story. By the end of the painting, she always feels lighter, as if she’s released her pain onto the canvas.

These examples remind me that creativity is a universal tool for healing. It doesn’t matter what form it takes—writing, painting, cooking, gardening, playing music, or even just walking in nature. What matters is that it’s yours, that it gives you a way to express yourself and process your emotions.

Life is full of ups and downs. There are days when everything feels possible and days when even getting out of bed feels like an achievement. But I’ve learned that the key to getting through the hard times is to prioritize yourself. It’s about giving yourself the space to breathe, to feel, and to create.

Writing has taught me that every story, no matter how dark, has the potential for light. Through creativity, we don’t just survive difficult times—we transform them. We take what feels broken and turn it into something whole.

So, if you’re going through a hard time, I encourage you to find your outlet. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be something you share with others. Just find something that brings you peace and reminds you of your own strength. Because when you create, you’re not just expressing yourself—you’re reminding yourself that even in the hardest times, you are capable of beauty, growth, and resilience.

What’s your therapy? What helps you keep going when life feels overwhelming? For me, it’s writing. It’s my lifeline, my inspiration, and my way of turning life’s struggles into something meaningful. And if sharing my story inspires even one person to pick up a pen, a paintbrush, or a pair of running shoes, then it’s worth every word I’ve written.

You are stronger than you know, and your creativity might just be the key to unlocking that strength.