Write to understand your thoughts, it might be a thing of the not-so-distant past, but I assure you there are a lot of benefits for doing it. Writing is not only good for your mind, but it’s also good for how you feel about yourself.
The younger me often sets challenges to myself on being able to write and see my name on publications. In grade school, I was able to write some pieces for our school paper. In high school, I first saw my name on publication as a freshman student. I even was given a title as an editor but I don’t really remember editing articles. 😀 It anyway motivated me and I have since wanted to be a writer. At the uni, I spent more time at the University paper’s office than I would in our classrooms, even spent time sleeping there to finish deadlines.
Now that I’m an adult, I realize that I’m still up for a good challenge. It brings more life to my otherwise mundane daily existence. How about you? If writing is something you enjoy, keep on it. As mentioned above, it’s beneficial for your well-being. Well, here are some ways you can do to be able to write to understand your thoughts better.
Challenge yourself to write
When this year started, I’ve been toying with the idea of joining this 500 word-a- day writing challenge. It sounds like a lot, but I know it’s going to help make me a better writer. I joined actually and been writing since day 1… When you keep doing something regularly, you eventually just get more skillful at it. It’s as if you’re firing up some dendrite in your brain’s neural system (yes, I sound as if I know what I’m talking about!), re-igniting an old skill.
I was able to write some that even goes more than 500 words, mostly related to travel. It’s one thing I like to do. (Compared to last year’s writing here).
Read more to write better
Read more to write betterOther than honing my writing prowess, I want to read more and to write more, because I find that it helps clarify my thoughts. Stephen King said, “I write to find out what I think.”
Reading doesn’t only give you inspiration, it makes you see the styles of others. Seeing these styles will eventually make you develop your own, as you would prefer some over the others. And the more you read one author the more you will probably be influenced by their writing style. Read more and take notes, then write to understand your thoughts about what you read, and what you took in.
Keep a journal with you
Oftentimes, without realizing it, writing helps to better put your thoughts in perspective. You’d be surprised to find out things which you never thought you were thinking about in the first place. We usually are under the impression that our thoughts produce what we write. But what actually happens is, after writing a piece, that’s when we understand our thoughts more clearly. When we see things in black and white, that’s when we become truly aware of what’s in our minds.
Bringing a journal with you and writing down ideas that pop out while walking or drinking coffee is beneficial, too. While, smartphones have apps for notes, I find that I tend to forget to open and review the things I’ve written on it. There’s nothing better than the smell of ink on paper, I guess.
Set goals
Write to understand your thoughts, no matter where you are. When I get really good at this, I’m going to write a smashing biography or probably a shattering novel- although I might need a little help from a friend for inspiration and probably a writing service like Write Wisdom. At any rate, it’s good that I am determined to pursue this goal. Now I know which direction I’m headed.
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This post is really informative, I love the idea of reading more to become a better writer.
I need to get back into regular journaling. I also want to get back into writing poetry.
I keep several journals all at the same time. I love writing.