When we write we transform ideas into language.
When we write, we share information, knowledge and experience. The act of
writing is a gift to ourselves and to others. Through writing we have the power
to explore and understand our feelings, to heal from sadness and trauma, and to
reflect. Through writing we can manifest our wildest dreams, preserve our
memories, our histories and connect, through our stories, to the stories of
others.
This is why I write, and why I think you should
too.
1. I write to clear out the junk
Julia Cameron, in her book The Artists Way suggests that one of the most valuable creative tools we have at our disposal is morning pages. Her advice is to write, long hand, 3 full pages first thing in the morning. These pages are a stream of consciousness. The morning pages are not written to be read. They don’t have to be pretty. They just have to be done. It’s a way to clear out the junk before starting your day.
Confession: I
absolutely do NOT do this as a regular practice. However at times I
have made this a regular practice and it is an excellent addition to a daily
morning routing. I thoroughly recommend it. Writing at
any time of day, though, is cleansing.
2. I write to clarify and explore my feelings
It is often difficult to establish exactly what we think without putting it into words. I see the struggle in my students when I teach writing – they don’t start writing until they know what they want to say. I encourage them to just put the pen on the paper and begin as the act of writing itself will help them to figure out what it is they want to say.
Thoughts are far more
flexible than text. The ideas in our heads are part of a huge puzzle
with uncountable connections – not linear like writing. Through the
act of writing we are better able to articulate, organize and understand what’s
going on upstairs.
3. I write to heal and grow
Research by James Pennebaker (and other studies since) shows that writing about life’s stressors helps us to heal from both physical and emotional trauma. Yes, the act of writing after a traumatic event can produce measurable changes in BOTH physical and mental health. Emotional writing can also affect peoples sleep habits, work efficiency and how they connect with others.
I find that writing can
help me solve problems. Writing frees my buried emotions and
thoughts and releases them.
4. I write to manifest my dreams
Studies have shown that
we are 42 percent more likely to achieve our goals if we write them
down. Writing down our goals of course isn’t the end, but it’s a
great beginning. More than just listing our goals, though, writing
down our dreams aids in their manifestation. The act of writing
makes our innermost desires clear, brings attention to them, and gives them the
thought and consideration needed to inspire action towards making those dreams
a reality
5. I write to share
“Story telling is an act of love. Sharing stories connects us to each other. When I tell my story it connects to your story “ – Njoki McElroy, Teacher + Storyteller
It takes courage to tell
our stories, in their entirety and in their truth. It is easy for us
to share our success stories. And such stories are
important. But our stories of loss and failure and shame are far
less easy to share, and these stories are powerful too. The feeling
of failure is a lonely, lonely place. But when we reach out and
share our stories we realize that we are not alone. There is so much
criticism and judgment in our world. We are shamed into keeping
quiet. This makes it even more important for us to put our
vulnerability on the line and open up. Our stories won’t resonate
with everyone, but they will resonate with someone. And if we can
make one person feel like they are not alone, then isn’t the story worth telling?
6. I write to reflect
John Dewey said “we do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience”.
What gets us from
experience to understanding is reflection. Through self reflection we can
develop our skills. Rather than doing things the way we have always
done them, reflection allows us to question our choices and our tools and make
room for improvements. It is very easy for us to become stuck in
routines that don’t work for us. Self reflection can help us to
identify the changes we can make. I find that getting things down on paper (as
opposed to letting them swim around in my head) makes it easier for my thoughts
to marinate and simmer helping me identify problems or what is
important. This process is an important part of learning and
personal growth.
7. I write to give
They say that actions speak louder than words. And this is terribly true. But language is a beautiful gift. There is nothing more lovely than words that pour straight from your heart and into the heart of another.
* * * * *
Why
do you write?
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