33+ ‘Catharsis’ Writing Prompts
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Personal Anthem
Identify a song that encapsulates your life or a significant phase of it, and elucidate why.
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Holiday Healing
Describe a Christmas where conflict or any past bitterness was resolved, bringing peace to yourself or your family.
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Keys To Forgiveness
Write about a character learning how to forgive after being betrayed by a loved one.
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Prompt Ends & Fresh Starts
Write about an end that occurred last year and how it has opened the door to a fresh start in this new year.
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Loving From Afar
Write a letter to the person you loved at first sight but never got the chance to express your feelings to.
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The Handwritten Letter
Write a letter to the person who broke your heart, expressing everything you wished to say but haven’t.
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Mending Old Wounds
Revisit a past Valentine’s Day heartbreak and explore how it has shaped your current romantic perspective.
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Exorcising Childhood Trauma
Write about a person who undergoes an “exorcism” to eradicate the haunting ghosts of their traumatic past.
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Love Songs Unheard
Create a character who expresses their unrequited love through songs that never reach their desired audience.
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The Language of Love
Write a letter to your father expressing everything you’ve always wanted to say but never have.
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Healing the Wounds
Write a letter to your younger self, offering comfort or advice for a difficult time you experienced as a child.
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Mirror of the Mind
Write a letter to your past self, detailing the emotional journey you’ve endured since that time.
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The Wailing Willow
Craft a tale around a grieving willow that cries mournful whispers when the wind blows through its branches.
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The Villain’s Redemption
Imagine your villain yearns for redemption, but struggles to escape the web of their past wrongdoings.
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Sanctuary in Darkness
Compose a story where a superhero chooses to live in darkness to cope with their traumatic past
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Resurrected By Revenge
Create a narrative where the superhero’s path to justice is triggered by avenging a family tragedy.
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Road to Apology
Consider someone you feel you have wronged and have never apologized to. Write an apology letter to that person.
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Healing Letters
Write a letter to someone who has hurt you, describing your feelings, but that you never intend to send.
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Catharsis Through Characters
Create a fictional character who carries your fears or anxieties and write their story.
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Calming Colors Canvas
Create a dichotomous representation where one half illustrates your stress and the other embodies your stress-free state.
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The Unsent Letter
Write a letter to someone who caused your traumatic event. You are not obligated to send it, it is only for catharsis.
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A Letter to Future Self
Write a letter to your future self, detailing what you’re experiencing, your hopes for the future, and encouraging words.
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Letting Go
Write a letter to your ex-partner, expressing all the feelings you were unable to share during the divorce process.
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4. Letters to Past Holder
Choose a person, object, or situation that has caused you trauma in the past. Write a letter to it, expressing your feelings, fears, and hopes.
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Letters to Anxiety
Write a letter to your anxiety, either to confront it, comfort it, or express how it affects you.
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Maze of Darkness
Frame a story where the protagonist is trapped in a pitch-black maze, out to confront their fear of darkness and claustrophobia.
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The Importance of Farewells
Reflect upon a significant goodbye you had to say that dramatically changed your life.
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Catharsis Through Writing
Describe an instance when writing has helped you confront or deal with a difficult emotion or situation.
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A Letter to My Future Self
Write a letter to your future self as a single parent, discussing hopes, fears, and expectations.
