Writing & Mental Health with Jennifer Wright

If you’ve ever wanted to use writing to process your thoughts, manage stress, or work through tough emotions (whether you’re a lifelong journaler or haven’t written since school) this episode is for you.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/jennifer-wright

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, MommaFoxFire talks with Jennifer Wright about writing, creativity, and how putting words on paper can be a powerful tool for mental health. Jennifer herself is a writer, editor, publisher, artist, and stand-up comedian, and she helps leaders tell their stories through her Authors Way podcast, her 90-day Authors Way Journal, and her work with Leadership Portraits.

Jennifer’s path to this work wasn’t a straight line. She spent decades in corporate project management and strategy, but writing was always tugging at her. A layoff pushed her into professional copywriting, which eventually led to helping a friend write her first book. Word spread, more people asked for help, and a new career was born.

When it comes to balancing creative work with well-being, Jennifer admits it’s not always perfect. Her corporate skills in organization and strategy help her juggle multiple projects, but she also leans on art and comedy as outlets. Painting is her meditation, and helping comedy students write jokes keeps her energized.

Writing has been part of Jennifer’s life since childhood. As an introvert, it gave her a safe way to process her thoughts. She still prefers pen and paper for creative work, noting that research shows handwriting activates more parts of the brain than typing. For her, writing is both a release and a way to make sense of emotions... and it can be healing even if no one else ever reads it.

She encourages people to write without worrying about skill level, grammar, or perfection. The goal is to get the words out. Writing can help process trauma, problem-solve, and unlock creativity. Jennifer’s advice for beginners: make it a habit, whether that’s daily, weekly, or in weekend sessions. Create a space, use tools you enjoy (colorful pens, big sketchbooks, plain notebooks), and write in whatever way feels comfortable.

With the leaders she works with, burnout and mental health come up often. She’s seen companies start to pay more attention to employee well-being, though there’s still a long way to go. She believes regular sabbaticals could improve productivity and loyalty, and she’s taken one herself to reset.

Common blocks she sees in writers include lack of energy (often mistaken for lack of time) and fear of judgment. She suggests adjusting when you write to match your energy levels, taking creative breaks to avoid burnout, and remembering you can choose how and with whom to share your story.

Her editing pet peeve? Overly long sentences. Shorter sentences and paragraphs keep readers engaged. She loves working with writers early in the process but can step in at any stage.

Jennifer’s Authors Way Journal offers daily prompts, gratitude space, and a “word of the day” to help people build a consistent writing habit. She’s seen it spark healing and creativity for many users. She also shared simple emotional writing prompts like starting with “I love…,” “I hate…,” or “I don’t understand…” and writing without stopping or editing.

Currently, Jennifer is developing a collaborative book featuring women leaders to help close the gender gap in leadership literature, and she’s relaunching her podcast. Her biggest wish is for people to understand that mental health differences aren’t “bad,” they’re just part of what makes us unique.