Like a fulfilling yoga practice, it doesn’t matter if you’re “good” at writing. The act of writing can help us feel whole and infinite. Whether you’re a journaler aspiring to rediscover writing more regularly or you’ve never used words as a tool for mindfulness before, writing is an empowering tool to reconnect with your inner light.

In fact, creative writing has been shown to raise self-esteem, elevate self-understanding and improve immune function, as well as overall well-being. Creative writing has the ability to take our thoughts from the ethers of our mind and bring them to a physical place where we can analyze and adjust them appropriately.

Writing has the ability to heal, to renew. By writing, we engage with our thoughts more mindfully and discover new things about ourselves through self-awareness. It can feel like a relief, getting an experience or even a to-do list down on a page — as if we’ve unpacked a few bags that have been weighing us down.

I’ve been writing consistently since I’ve been able to hold a pencil, yet I’m not immune to writing slumps either. I’ve sat and stared at a blank page with angst many times. Yet, I do find my way back. I can’t promise that these tips will work for you, only that they do work for me, and therefore, have at least some percentage of success. I encourage you to explore your own variations of these, and please let me know if any interesting discoveries show themselves to you in doing so.

Read

Nearly every great writer who has written on rediscovering writing says to read as voraciously as you write. The consensus on the topic is varied; some believe you should read the genre that you want to write in and others think that variety is the key to creative success. Either way, reading opens the doors of our creative mind and creates space for inspiration to slip through.

Stream of Consciousness Writing

“Let it suck,” is a term that I offer up to many of my friends and clients. Get it down on the page, even if you only keep one sentence or one key word in the final draft. One way to do this is to write whatever you’re thinking on the subject; this is called stream of consciousness writing. Just start: “I am sitting outside and I don’t know what to write, only that I want to be writing. I hear the dog waking up. He probably wants me to feed him. I remember when he was a puppy … ” A boring account of your morning may turn into an emotional appreciation of time or the relationship between you and your dog or who knows what else!

Writing Prompts Rediscover Writing

The writer’s oldest friend. Don’t know what to write about? There is an infinite amount of writing prompts available to you on the internet. Look up “writing prompt + [your favorite hobby]” and see what comes up. Some prompts can be emailed to you daily, some are one great list and others may be in a book of prompts.

“Time Travel” 

The practice of time travel involves digging up all of your past writing — from school essays to journals, poems or anything else — and re-reading them. Perspective is everything. You may experience you rediscover writing from a completely new point of view or with gratitude for your past self. Be open to reading between the lines, too. You’ll be surprised what comes up!

Change It Up Rediscover Writing

Change genre, perspective, writing location, state of mind — break the mold. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to keep up with your gratitude journal habit or if you’re ready to finally finish your novel, get those floodgates open! See things with fresh eyes by changing part of the equation.

Writing can bestow a host of wonderful benefits to your mind, body and spirit. These tips will help you get back on track and in touch with your divine muse within. Writing can be an effective tool for meditation, decision making, dream-board building and venting our troubles. The trick is to keep it consistent. Even studies on therapeutic writing agree that it is our writing and reflections over time that have the power for true, lasting change. So, use the prompts, experiment with your routines and styles, play on the page.

Whether you’re new to writing for joy or you’re ready to rediscover your writing practice, there is no better time than now to begin. Rediscover writing

Originally published in Summer + Fall 2022 issue.