The Journey's the Thing: Reflections on Healing though the Written Word

What happens when you commit to showing up on the page every single day-especially when the world feels like it's falling apart? If you've ever wondered whether journaling could help your mental health but didn't know if you should start, this book is your invitation to begin.

In March 2020, as lockdown began and uncertainty became the only constant, writer Dera Nevin picked up a pen and made a promise to journal through whatever came next. What emerged was a year of unfiltered, authentic essays that capture the timeless struggle of navigating anxiety, isolation, and the search for meaning in difficult times. These aren't polished reflections written in hindsight-they are real-time dispatches from someone learning how to use writing as a lifeline. From the early days of pandemic panic to small breakthroughs in self-compassion, from creative blocks to unexpected moments of gratitude, this collection reveals how the simple act of daily journaling became a powerful tool for mental wellness.

You'll discover:

• How journaling can help process overwhelming emotions in real time
• Why showing up imperfectly on the page matters more than writing "well"
• Practical insights for using writing to navigate anxiety and uncertainty
• The surprising ways that documenting your inner life can lead to healing

Raw, relatable, and ultimately hopeful, The Journey's the Thing proves that sometimes the most ordinary practice-putting pen to paper-can become an extraordinary act of self-care.