We are constantly thinking. As long as we’re awake, we think. Even when we’re meditating and focusing on our breath, we think. Sometimes, we could juggle a few thoughts at once. While most of the times, we’re overwhelmed with our own thoughts.
One of the best ways to untangle the web of thoughts is by pouring some of them into writing. There are many benefits of writing alone, especially for those who want to improve their mental health as you can read here and here.
But what if I’m not used to write… expressively? Well, here are some tips to kickstart a writing habit.
1. Create the space
A physical space will influence hugely on your motivation to write. A hot and humid temperature with flies lingering around may not create the best ambience to focus on your thoughts. Find a place where you feel serene or inspired. It doesn’t have to be a solitude place like your room or a cafe. Some people find themselves inspired and motivated in noisy and crowded places, like the station or even bars. Just make sure you still have a personal space while enjoying the ambience.
2. Make an intention, not a plan
A plan usually requires a series of goals or targets that needs to be done by a certain amount of time. If you’re only starting, this might be a bit overwhelming because you’re putting pressure into an activity that was supposed to be fun and relaxing. However, you need to keep yourself motivated, so you still need an intention for writing without putting pressures. Intention is a set of ideas of what you hope to achieve from, in this case, writing.
3. Make the goals as small as possible, then work from the easiest
For some people, plans and targets are the motivation. Intention is too vague and some people find it hard to keep motivated without a pressure. So, make the pressure as gentle as possible. Create small, achievable goals and start from the easiest goal. For example, writing about today’s mood or a childhood favorite food. Eventually, the stream of consciousness will flow as you craft the words.
4. No edit, no judgement
Practice a writing habit without judging what you’ve written previously or even the last sentence you made. Just keep going on. Keep offering ideas and thoughts. The habit of editing along the process of creating will prevent you from offering more ideas, as you become too careful as to select your ideas before you can see it. Put in mind that you can always edit later.
