Mallory Hellman

Too often, we think of creative writing as a hobby, something a person might do to stave off boredom or indulge in fanciful ideation. Yet the act of creating poems, stories, and reflections has a much deeper effect on the human mind than many might assume. It is not just about arranging words into pleasing patterns; it is about cultivating empathy, nurturing imagination, and sharpening focus in ways that ordinary routines rarely allow. In daily life, we are surrounded by constant noise like tasks to complete, screens to check, and conversations to keep up with. This endless churn of routine often narrows the mind, leaving little room for exploration or reflection. Creative writing interrupts that cycle. Sitting down to write a poem or story creates mental space where the imagination can breathe. Instead of reacting to the demands of the external world, the mind turns inward, discovering ideas and feelings that were previously buried or overlooked. This turning inward is not an act of w...