Forget Merit: Write Poems to Express Yourself

What makes a poem “good?” There are a lot of valid, subjective answers to this question, but in many literary circles, the quality of a poem is often judged by whether or not it’s accepted into traditional publishing channels like literary magazines or anthologies. With Self-Care Awareness Month coming up in September, we’d like to remind you that poetry and other forms of self-expression are a basic human need—not a reflection of your value as a person. Whether or not you choose to share, submit, or publish your poetry, it’s still worth writing. Below, we’ve outlined several reasons why self-care and self-expression should be your highest priority when approaching your writing practice.

5 reasons self-care is more important than merit when writing poems

1. Understanding your authentic self

Beyond all the awards, graduate degrees, and publications you might seek out, the most fundamental value of poetry lies in its ability to help you connect with your authentic self. By rejecting the desire to be “perfect” and writing for authenticity instead, you’ll be more inclined to experiment, find your unique writer’s voice, and create poems that are a true representation of your inner world. As e.e. Cummings said, “it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

2. Connecting with others

The better you know yourself, the better you can connect with others. Therefore, writing to know yourself, love yourself, and express yourself will ultimately help you develop the self-awareness and emotional intelligence you need to engage in genuine, fulfilling relationships with others. Plus, poems can make great gifts, letters, icebreakers, and other tools for sparking and continuing conversations. If you need help getting started, here are 6 tips for making connections in the poetry community. 

3. Developing confidence and self-love

Loving yourself is not always as easy as reciting positive affirmations in the mirror. Sometimes, you need to turn inward to untangle complicated emotions, address and accept the things you don’t like about yourself, and find conviction in your own values and motivations. Writing poems can help you understand what is and isn’t personally meaningful to you, ultimately leading to a stronger, more confident sense of self-love. For inspiration, try these 6 poetry prompts for radical self-love.

4. Relieving stress 

Art and poetry are popular therapeutic tools, providing safe outlets for processing trauma and complex emotions. When your writing focus shifts from seeking external validation from the literary community to internal discovery and self-care, writing becomes cathartic and healing. The simple ritual of a dedicated writing practice can become a friend and comfort to you when you’re down. As we’ve said before: When times are tough, there’s still poetry. 

5. Advocating for yourself and others

Finally, the act of writing poetry can itself become a type of protest. Traditional publishing channels are rife with external pressures, standards, and processes that can sometimes feel stifling, especially for folks from underrepresented groups. By writing for personal empowerment and self-expression, you are reinforcing the idea that the creative process is valuable in and of itself, no matter who you are or how your authentic expression takes shape. As Joy Harjo said, “maybe all artists are activists.”

Feeling down about a rejection letter? Never forget the basic value of poetry as a tool for self-care

To be clear: We’re not suggesting you stop submitting your poetry to lit mags and other traditional publishing channels—that can be a great way to build a career in the literary world, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting a bit of external validation. If you’re struggling to get accepted into lit mags but still want your poetry to be seen and read by an audience, you can also try sharing it at a poetry open mic or self-publishing on social media. 

But as cool and career-building as publishing your poetry can be, it’s not the best or most important reason to write poems. Your art’s worth is not determined by where and how often it’s published, but by the personal meaning and growth it brings to you. Poems can help you find confidence, connect and empathize with others, and let off steam when you’re stressed. In other words, writing poetry is an incredible tool for self-care.