In this fast paced world to which we’ve all grown accustomed, finding time to reflect can be difficult. Another problem is that deliberately listening to thoughts is very uncomfortable for many people.
This is why writing or keeping a journal can be so powerful. It helps break down some of the natural barriers to this sort of self-work. Writing can be a form of active meditation and much less intimidating than it’s traditional counterpart.
To start, simply write what you think. Practice translating your thoughts into words. Then your words into stories. Treat writing like any other skill that you’d be willing to practice. Learn and study the fundamentals. Then take action. Like anything else, if you want to improve, you better practice.
If you use writing to examine your thoughts and emotions, you can build two valuable skills at once: writing and self development. The reality is that setting aside time to think, reflect, and write, can have huge benefits. For example:
- Learning things about yourself.
- Learning to think for yourself.
- Learning to clarify and quantify ideas.
- Gaining clarity of thought.
- Understanding the process from inception to the finished product.
- It gives you an idea of what it means to create.
- How to make something out of nothing.
If you feel like sharing and you’re already a writer, what is one thing that writing has helped you with?