Welcome to My Journey

When I returned from Afghanistan years ago, I carried more than just memories. I brought back experiences that defied explanation, emotions that refused to be contained, and stories that needed to be told but couldn't be spoken. I wasn't a soldier—I was an analyst dropped into a war zone with a laptop and a gun I barely knew how to use. The mountains there were both breathtakingly beautiful and terrifyingly deadly, much like the experiences shaping the person I would become.

My stories remained locked away, classified, and sealed for years behind secrecy and silence. I walked through life carrying the weight of unspeakable experiences, trying to navigate a world that felt foreign and disconnected from the reality I had known. My family and friends knew nothing of my true experiences—as far as they were concerned, I was just busy with work, traveling often.

But silence has a way of becoming its burden.

When I finally received clearance to discuss some of my experiences a few years ago, I discovered something profound: writing became my lifeline. It wasn't just about telling stories; it was about healing. Each word I put on paper was like a stone lifted from the weight I carried. Each paragraph helped bridge the gap between the person I was in those mountains and who I am today.

This newsletter, "Writing as Therapy," is born from that discovery. It explores how writing can serve as more than just communication—it can be a path to healing, understanding, and growth. Through this platform, I'll share my journey of using writing to process trauma, navigate complex emotions, and find my way back to a sense of wholeness.

What you'll find here isn't just another veteran's story, though those stories are vital and valuable. Instead, this is about the intersection of trauma, healing, and the written word. You'll find personal stories from my time in Afghanistan, poems that capture the raw emotions of war and its aftermath, and reflections on how writing has helped me process it all. It's about how putting our experiences on paper can help us make sense of the chaos within, how crafting narratives can help us understand our own stories, and how sharing these stories can create bridges of understanding and connection.

In the coming weeks and months in this newsletter, I'll share:

• Personal essays and stories from my experiences in Afghanistan

• Poetry that explores the complexity of war, trauma, and healing

• Practical techniques for using writing as a therapeutic tool

• Reflections on the power of storytelling in processing trauma

• Insights into how writing can help us reconnect with ourselves and others

This isn't just my journey—it's an invitation to explore your own. Whether you're carrying the weight of war, personal trauma, or life's accumulated burdens, writing can be a powerful tool for healing and growth.

Some of what I share will be heavy—stories of loss, fear, and the thin line between life and death. But there will also be hope, resilience, and beauty that can be found even in life's darkest moments. As I learned in Afghanistan, war is hell, but there's profound beauty in human connection, survival, and the journey toward healing.

To those who choose to join me on this journey, welcome. Your presence here means more than you know. Together, we'll explore how words can heal, how stories can transform, and how writing can light the way forward.

Let's begin.

This newsletter will be published weekly. It will explore different aspects of writing as therapy and share insights from my ongoing journey of healing through words. Please feel free to share if you know someone who might benefit from this exploration.