I’m participating in the #BarAThon – a blogging Challenge which involves blogging on every alternate day from Jun 17 – Jun 30, 2017. For each of the seven days, bloggers are free to choose either a theme (‘Seven’) or one of the seven prompts based on Book Titles for each day. Going with the theme—I’ve chosen Seven Reasons Why People Write.
Each time someone mentions the word “writer,” we almost always imagine a quirky recluse, hunched over a desk in some cabin, with mounds of crumpled paper strewn about, or, furiously tapping away on a keyboard, tossing one great masterpiece after another, with gusto!
Recognition as a writer sounds great and yet, many write because of an inner calling. For someone like me, who loved drawing doodles and scribbling in notebooks as a child, writing has always been a source of joy and freedom; one that has taken me on many a flight to fantasy, far far away from the predictability of our mundane lives.
As a child, although my parents never took any special interest in my writing abilities, I do recall my English teachers often encouraging me whenever I wrote something nice. During the growing up years, there were numerous examples of people who wrote— they were successful people in the world, who wrote in private, away from the public eye. Many great leaders and statesmen also wrote as a way to re-evaluate their thoughts during the day, while others used their writing as a key way to refining their thoughts.
Once I got started on writing, it was addictive. I’ve written for pleasure and in pain, to sort unresolved issues or to chide myself, when things went awry; through teenage angst and even beyond; as a young adult, learning and growing, while I was trying to find my place in this world. Wherever I went, my diary accompanied me. In fact, writing has always been an extension of my thoughts. I’ve written often and almost every day, through good days and bad ones, through the passing phases of life, through the known battles and unforeseen ones, heartbreaks and failures alike.
In many ways, writing became another tool for thinking, expression, and creativity for me. After a hiatus of a decade, I returned to writing again. My blog, for instance, took shape from my obvious love for writing; the joy of stringing words and documenting experiences and curating passing thoughts and memories was immensely gratifying.
If you ask me now, I’d say that my reasons to write have been many. Writing has always helped me put things into perspective, taking me away on breath-taking adventures, into a fantastic world of imagination, where there existed a parallel reality. Writing has brought me in touch with my inner world of introspection.
There are as many reasons to write, as there are people in this world. However, if we were, to sum up, the most notable would be the following:
1. Writing makes us aware of our thoughts, helps us to focus and to regenerate ideas. The act of writing helps us clarify things, and communicate our thoughts with the world at large. Besides, it also helps us de-stress, unburden things weighing on our mind, and makes way for brainstorming to take place, that leads to solutions.
2. Writing helps give vent to pent-up anger by releasing it harmlessly into the world and pulling our emotional state back to a good baseline. The act of releasing those innermost thoughts is cathartic and ensures us a good night’s sleep.
3. Writing in a gratitude journal about the good things in life makes us happy and count our blessings for things that we often take for granted.
4. Writing is akin to meditation when we permit ourselves to follow the stream of consciousness method by letting our words flow unhindered from the mind straight onto paper or the computer. Free writing exercise is a great way to start.
5. Writing about achieving future goals and dreams gives us a clear target for the future and makes us happier and healthier.
6. Regular writing helps flesh out our thoughts in the mind, without that constant ‘tip of the tongue’ feeling that can sap away our confidence when we speak.
7. A very important part of dealing with trauma is writing about it. Writing that way can be a greatly therapeutic in allowing us to come to terms with our loss, our personal tragedies. Used in this way, writing has been proven to be very effective in the process of healing too.
The above list, as you can see, is merely indicative of the wide-ranging benefits that writing promises to be. Be it is a simple note or a laborious work of fiction, it does not really matter what we write, as long as we are writing. Writing lends us a voice to express our innermost thoughts and beliefs in the best possible way, making us brave, strong and empowered.
It is a process that is fascinating and taxing at its best, mercurial and effervescent at times, often a pain and a pleasure both, one moment appearing to be a trusted confidante and a jealous lover at another. That is the real essence of writing, as I see it.
Tell me, what does writing mean to you? What are YOUR reasons for writing?
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You may read my other posts for the series here:
#Barathon Day 1 – The Fault is in the Stares.
#Barathon Day 2 – Life of Pie.
#Barathon Day 3 – Seven Favourite Film Scores.
#Barathon Day 4 –Seven Memorable Skywatch Shots.
#Barathon Day 5 – Seven Easy Pick-me-Ups
I have been planning to write a post on a similar topic to figure out Why I started writing! I am one who has started writing recently, and realised that I actually love it. I concur with all your points. I would add brings out the creativity in us.
Your posts are lovely, Namratha, even though you say you’re a recent entrant in this arena. I totally agree about the creativity angle to writing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the post!
Writing is therapeutic, Esha. I can call it your ode to writing which is weaved in pure bliss and divine form. Beautiful would be an understatement.
How wonderfully summed up Esha 😊 Writing is liberating, writing is catharsis to my parched soul!
Another great post from you😊
http://natashamusing.com/2017/06/suns-lovers-barathon/
For venting out anger, increasing awareness levels, expressing gratitude, for meditating, for organising the boxed thoughts, I write for all these reasons and some more. I write as if I am writing my memoir as a parent and the learning I keep acquiring in the process.
Thanks for putting my reasons out there so succinctly! I find writing really relaxing. The best thing is that no one tells me to shut up!
I guess writing for me started with a different angle – to give context to the pictures. I wish I could write more. 😃
Keep writing and they say things will fall in place. Write whatever appeals to you and see where it leads! All the best!
Thanks for the good wishes, Esha! Sure I’ll 😊
I agree with all your points.. For me writing is therapeutic.Also it preserves the real me.
Agreed, Suja. No wonder so many of us find peace of mind by writing down our thoughts!
Couldn’t agree more Di…
Glad to hear that Tina! 😊
I love writing since it’s an extension of my inner feelings and thoughts. It’s my breath.
So good to see you too agree on that! Think that is why we all found solace in writing!
Completely agree with you. Writing helps me vent and that too without the worry of hurting someone else.
Absolutely, Neha. I particularly agree with the last bit you said “without hurting someone” and yet we live in a time when people’s egos are so fragile that they take offence at the smallest things we say sometimes!
I agree with your points, Esha. Writing is a liberation for me too. It gives a voice to my thoughts, feelings and emotions. This is what I wrote about #writing… 🙂
I write to reveal the real me
Lurking from behind words.
I write to break the glass ceilings
I write to grow the flowers
What a beautiful thought expressed in your rhyme, Maniparna! Your voice finds eloquence in the words you choose to reach out to the world! So glad to know our thoughts on writing are similar. Thank you so much for stopping by at Soul Talk. 🙂
Thanks so much…it’s always a pleasure reading your blog… 🙂
Writing for sure is therapeutic… It’s like you go into a trance surrounded by only your thoughts. I love journals and writing all the positive things. Keeps me positive 🙂 loved your points on writing… And hope it encourages others to write to.
I like your description of the trance-like state when it comes to writing! Haven’t thought of it this way earlier!! Journaling is a must for everyone I think! Thanks son much for the encouraging words, Raj! I hope someone finds them useful. 🙂
I couldnt agree more with your reasons Esha- writing has indeed been very therapeutic for me too and the Gratitude journal is a boon!! Well expressed my friend!!
Thank you Shalz! Glad it works that way for you too! Can’t believe we’re left with just one last day for the #Barathon! Slipped by really fast it seems!!
Superb article 👍👍
Thank you so much, Chetna!
I agree with you!!
Thank you very much Prakash!
Welcome.. Would love to know ur feedback on my posts!!! If it is fine to u
Sure. Will hop over and check it out!