When words bring us closer to ourselves and others

I didn't write Seventeen Shots of Life in Five Acts to impress anyone. I wrote it because I needed to. Over 20 years, I scribbled poems – sometimes in confusion, sometimes in grief, and sometimes in joy – just to make sense of my experiences. Only much later did I realise: I wasn't just recording moments – I was discovering who I was becoming through them.

We talk about mental health a lot these days. And yet, the language we use in therapy, in diagnosis, in academic journals – it's still often too neat. Too polished. Life isn't neat. Nor are trauma, growth, motherhood, longing, or death. We need something messier. More honest. We need everyday words to connect us.

A book I needed first 

Writing became my way of moving through life when things were challenging. What began as a quiet, innate need slowly revealed itself to be something much more: a means of self-exploration, healing, and growth. I didn't set out to write a book. I set out to make sense of life. But somewhere along the way, the act of writing gave me clarity, meaning, and peace.

Many of the poems in Seventeen Shots of Life in Five Acts were written over the span of two decades, then tucked away – hidden and forgotten. But more recently during a particularly difficult few years marked by multiple personal and professional transitions, I found myself writing again. One day, I felt drawn to revisit those earlier pieces. I read them like old companions. To my surprise, I recognised their continued relevance – even to that very day – and found myself once again nourished by their insight. 

That's when the idea for this collection was born. What if others, also navigating the ups and downs of life, could find something meaningful and comforting in these words too

The becoming behind the book – words, illustrations, connection

There's no masterful technique behind these poems – the verses are free and raw, boldly experimenting with creative forms to express a range of themes and emotions. Each of the 17 poems stands alone, yet their order was intentionally chosen to tell a story. An unconventional choice, but this is why I recommend reading the book from beginning to end. 

The first two poems serve as an opening scene, as together they introduce two fundamental truths: nothing stays the same forever, and despite presence of others around us, we are ultimately alone. The remaining poems unfold in a loosely chronological sequence, following the chapters of a young adult's life into midlife. They guide the reader through these phases, offering reflections shaped by each stage, along with the soulful lessons they carried. It's within these reflections that the reader can find the quiet workings of healing and personal growth – the kind that slowly cultivates resilience.

I had a clear visual concept for each poem and assigned it a specific colour. That is a creative nod to one of the central themes of this book: impermanence. In other words, everything changes — the good and the bad, the difficult and the easy. To deepen the reader's experience, I worked with an illustrator who brought my visions to life by creating original artworks that capture each poem's essence and offer a more immersive, multi-sensory journey.

Blue Hydrangeas

On the road with the blue hydrangeas

Wish for lust to return

Lust for heartbreak

Lust for life

And as your tired eyes close tonight

Keep on pushing

Push the night away

Sleep is for forsakers

Because life awaits none who slumber

And the clock ticks

Ticks life away

Stay awake

How poetry can accelerate healing and growth in therapy

These poems have already served their purpose for me. My only hope now is that they continue their journey in the hands of others – that readers will bring their own meanings and experiences to them, and in doing so, feel a little less alone on their path. Because every time one of these poems resonates with a reader, we'll connect through our shared humanity. And maybe, just maybe, we'll heal a little more together.

The early responses to Seventeen Shots of Life in Five Acts have been truly heartwarming. Colleagues have generously shared thoughtful reflections on the collection, and their feedback reminds me why it's worth continuing to share the messages held in this book. Everyday words can indeed carry the weight of real human experience, authentically express the present moment, and create honest, meaningful connections.

As clinicians, we often encourage our clients to explore new tools for emotional insight. Creative expression through writing allows us to access parts of ourselves that ordinary language sometimes cannot reach. Writing helps us process emotions, build self-understanding, and reconnect with our bodies. It doesn't need to be perfect – it just needs to be honest. That honesty is what creates space for understanding, healing, and, eventually, growth and resilience. I encourage colleagues who work clinically to invite your clients to write – not with the pressure of creating something beautiful, but with the intention of facing their truth. To listen to what's inside them, embrace it, and, in doing so, move forward.

Alternatively, therapists can use poems they already know as tools in therapy, to open dialogue and help clients explore their inner world safely and creatively. Seventeen Shots of Life in Five Acts is already being used in therapeutic spaces – whether as a meaningful addition to a waiting room or as a prompt for reflection, conversation, and connection during sessions.

If any colleagues are interested in using the poems from the book in their practice, I'd love to hear from you. We could explore a way to assess its impact more closely and co-author an article sharing the findings in The Psychologist. If this speaks to you, please don't hesitate to reach out I'd be excited to connect and collaborate.

For anyone interested in purchasing the book, you can get a hard copy here, and a digital copy here. If you enjoy it, I'd be truly grateful if you left a review.

• Dr Patapia Tzotzoli is a UK-trained, HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She is the Director of My Psychology Clinic, where she offers one-to-one online therapy tailored to a select clientele and the Founder of My Triage Network, where she provides free consultations and personalised introductions to trusted UK-based mental health professionals for anyone seeking assessments or therapy. You can contact her directly at info@patapiatzotzoli.com.