Nothing I Said Was Enough: Writing as Self-Validation

This thesis explores the process of using writing as a coping mechanism to heal from trauma by portraying how personal narratives confront pain and reclaim agency. This thesis also explores how writing serves as a means of survival and sharing testimony. The thesis starts with a critical analysis essay, drawing on literary criticism and trauma theory. I explore how Roxane Gay, Kathryn Harrison, Bessel Van der Kolk, and Maya Angelou have used writing to challenge societal perceptions of trauma, and how through writing, they have resisted erasure. The heart of this thesis is an original creative work, which involves an exploration of trauma and its impact on the self. This composition ties into themes of fragmentation and memory to show the non-linear path of healing. The critical analysis serves to introduce this creative endeavor by offering a reflection on my personal writing experience concerning trauma, exploring how the art of storytelling has given me a voice to confront, construct, and reclaim my story. By including personal testimony with literary works, this thesis illustrates that writing expands beyond the mere act of witnessing; it represents a healing space in which trauma survivors can reorganize their experiences on their terms, thus paving a way for healing.