Scottish poet and social media sensation Len Pennie has bravely revealed how poetry became her "lifeline" during the darkest period of her life, helping her survive systematic domestic abuse and reclaim her identity.
In an emotionally raw interview, the 25-year-old from Fife describes how writing in Scots dialect provided both an escape and a powerful tool for processing trauma that traditional therapy couldn't reach.
The Breaking Point
"I was writing at my lowest ebb," Pennie confesses, detailing how the abuse left her isolated and stripped of confidence. "The poems became my voice when I felt I had none left."
Her work, initially private and never intended for publication, documented the psychological manipulation and control she endured. Writing in Scots—the language of her childhood—created a protective barrier, making the painful material slightly removed from her immediate experience.
From Personal Catharsis to Public Empowerment
What began as private therapy evolved into public performance when Pennie started sharing her work online during lockdown. Her TikTok platform quickly grew to over 300,000 followers captivated by her Scots language poems and fierce advocacy.
"Sharing my story became part of my healing," she explains. "The response from other survivors showed me I wasn't alone, and that my words could help others find their voice too."
The Transformative Power of Creative Expression
Mental health experts emphasize what Pennie's experience demonstrates: creative expression can access and process trauma in ways conventional therapy sometimes cannot. The rhythmic nature of poetry, particularly in one's native dialect, can regulate nervous system responses to trauma.
Pennie's work now features in her debut collection, where she hopes her journey from victim to survivor will inspire others facing similar struggles to seek help and find their own creative outlets.
Her message to other survivors is clear: "Your voice matters. However you choose to use it—whether through poetry, painting, or simply speaking your truth—it has power."
