“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” E.L. Doctorow
Writing is something most of us do every day. Putting our thoughts down on paper can help us in many different ways. It can assist us to organise our ideas, and help us achieve our goals. It can also give us a wide perspective on our experiences, and help us to live a more productive and happier life.
It Changes Your Mood
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between writing and feelings of wellbeing. Writing about your experiences can help uncover their meaning. If you have meaning, you feel more positive about your life. A study by UCLA psychologists shows that expressive writing can make feelings of sadness, anger, and pain, less intense.
It Clears The Mind
The brain is for processing, not storage, which means it can benefit from regular cleaning. One of the best ways to do that is to dump what is in your mind on to paper. The most effective way to do this is to take everything you are thinking about, and anything that is bothering you, and write it down. You can do this each morning, to start your day with a clear mind.
Helps You Heal
A study by New Zealand researches shows writing can help physical wounds heal faster. Writing about your emotions after a traumatic event can help you come to terms with what has happened. People who suffer from long-term diseases can also benefit from writing as it can alleviate feelings of stress and depression.
Assists You to Achieve Your Goals
People who write down their goals and desires have a higher chance of achieving them. Putting your ideas down on paper helps you clarify what you want. More importantly, it filters out what you don’t want.
Improves Communication Skills
Writing improves your verbal and written communication skills. When you write something down you are choosing the right words to say. The more you write, the better you will become at expressing yourself, and those words will make their way into your verbal communication. This can help you think and speak more eloquently, and could improve your future employment prospects.
Puts Your Life Into Perspective
It is amazing how writing can bring back old and long forgotten memories. When you start to write down what you remember, you will be surprised at how it triggers other memories. Some may be unpleasant, but hopefully you will be able to look at them from a different perspective, and think about how much you have learned.
We’ve all got something to say, so why not get started. Who knows, it may help you draft the book you’ve always wanted to write.
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