Maybe you’ve practiced free writing or bullet journaling for mental clarity? Or have you simply written a to-do list and found that, all of a sudden, the mountain of life you need to conquer seems to have shrunk to a conquerable hill?
If you have, we’re unsurprised. Because writing, in its many forms, is incredibly therapeutic. And we’re about to talk about why that is so.
So, why does writing make us feel better? Why is it good for us?
· Provides time to think through our concerns and feelings
· Puts structural thought to our feelings
· Helps us let go of ruminating thoughts
· Allows for creative expression
Provides time to think through our concerns and feelings
As we go about our daily lives, it’s not uncommon to carry certain thoughts and concerns around with us constantly. And all of that carrying can start to feel heavy and be quite mentally taxing. When we put time aside to write our thoughts down, we are actively giving them breathing space to be considered and processed. Think of it as a time for mental organization. Sort through those thoughts, and file as necessary.,
Puts structural thought to our feelings
Have you ever felt a certain way, but not been particularly competent in articulating why? Our feelings can be in reference to a single event or thought, or they can be the result of a layering of several. This can be confusing, and, at times, overwhelming. As you write down your thoughts, you may feel an easing of worries as you meticulously step through what is happening in your life. This prompts planning, critical thought and reflection.
Helps us let go of thoughts
Sometimes we feel a certain inability to let go of the thoughts that continue to tick through our minds, whether they are helpful or otherwise. When we journal those sticky thoughts, we are letting our brain know that it is ok – we are noting them down, and we will not forget them. But it’s ok to relax our grip on them for the meantime.
Allows for creative expression
As we get older, it is not uncommon for us to be required to write for necessity - emails, text messages, IMs, legal documents and enquiries of all sorts. But allowing space for creative writing has a vast range of benefits, including improved expression and understanding of our own feelings, increased empathy and critical thinking, and most importantly it is something that many people take a great deal of joy in! Just as Mark Twain said “dance like no one is watching”, writing something that you intend for no one else to read means you can let your creativity take flight.