Mindfulness is becoming a popular way of dealing with your thoughts and feelings, thanks to how helpful the process is. You’re encouraged to live in the here and now, and really examine how you’re feeling, and why that may be.
One great way of being mindful is to use writing as a tool for these examinations. Here’s how you can use writing to be more mindful in your everyday life.
Write in a journal
Do you remember having a journal as a child? You may have spent hours filling it with all your thoughts and feelings. As an adult, it’s easy to lose that skill, but you can pick it up again. Take time every day to sit down and write about how you’re feeling. Creating that habit means that you can start exploring how you feel in a safe and private way.
Handwrite your thoughts
This is a world where most people communicate through keyboards. You’ll be more comfortable with a keyboard, so it may be tempting to journal on your phone or laptop. However, resist the temptation and instead buy a notebook and pen. These tools will feel as though they’re slowing you down, but this can be a good thing. You’re forced to really slow down and think when you’re writing by hand. This can help you get the most out of every writing session.
Don’t worry about perfection
‘It’s easy to feel as though all your writing must be perfect’ says writing expert Katy Jones from AustralianHelp. ‘However, when it comes to mindfulness, it’s the intent that’s more important.‘ As you write, don’t worry too much about the technicalities of writing. It’s more important that you explore your feelings and get them onto paper. if you want to edit your writing later, then that’s something you can do. In the moment though, don’t self edit.
Look at the situation from another angle
If you’re going through a difficult time, use your writing to take a different angle on your struggles. For example, say you’re dealing with relationship problems. You feel as though potential romantic partners aren’t interested in you, and so there must be something wrong with you. Change up the story in your writing. Try looking at it from the angle of the people you’re hoping to attract. Are they perhaps having their own problems? Maybe you’re so successful in other areas of your life that they’re intimidated! This can help you examine a problem, and find a way around it.
Try free writing
If you feel as though you’re becoming overwhelmed by your feelings, but can’t put your finger on what the issue is, then free writing may be for you. Try setting a timer, and then simply put pen to paper and write without stopping. Just write whatever comes into your head, without stopping. It’ll feel hard at first, but if you keep practicing you’ll find it’s easier and easier to get to the heart of what’s bothering you.
Useful writing tools
If you’ve never done a large amount of writing before, you may feel that you want some help. These online tools will help you get the most out of the writing process:
– Grammar Girl: This blog has all sorts of tips for improving your grammar.
– Essay Help: The experts at this service can help you with your grammar, so you can write clearly.
– Easy Word Count: This tool will check your word count, and highlight any errors in your text.
– Do My Assignment: This website is the best place to get editing tips.
– Proofreadbot: Paste your writing into this tool and it will instantly highlight any errors it finds.
– UKWritings: This site features some helpful proofreading guides.
– Cite It In: Use this tool to get the correct citation for any source.
– BigAssignments: This writing community can help you grow and improve as a writer.
Writing is a fantastic tool for mindfulness. If you create the habit of writing every day, you’ll find that it’s easier to get in touch with your feelings and really connect with yourself. Give these tips a try, and you’ll see it in action for yourself.