Putting pen to paper is a powerful process for learning more about yourself, working towards important goals and recognising the progress you have made.
Whether it’s daily journalling or a quarterly life planning session, writing out your ideas, thoughts and feelings gives you greater clarity on where you are and where you want to be.
However, some people find writing very difficult – they might sit in front of a blank page unable to begin, or they might feel self-conscious and unable to express themselves through the written word.
Free writing
Free writing, also known as stream of consciousness writing, is an excellent technique that can enable you to better access your intuitive knowledge and understanding.
If you start to think about an idea or feeling before you write it down, you can begin to rationalise, or even censor, it. “I can’t have my dream [ lifestyle / home / business ], it’s simply impossible.” “I shouldn’t feel [whatever you're feeling], because it’s selfish / mean / crazy.” “I can’t do this [job / project / challenge], because I’m not good enough. This auto-censoring means you don’t even get the opportunity to acknowledge your feelings and desires, and consider what may be possible. Your mind is closed down.
Free writing bypasses this logical, critical part of your brain. It can provide amazing insight, creative solutions and new possibilities.
How to free write
The basic instruction for free writing is to put pen to paper and write!
- Keep your hand moving at all times.
- Don’t pause to think, to re-read, or to edit.
- Don’t worry about spelling or punctuation. Don’t even worry about forming whole sentences.
- It can help to set the timer so you’re not watching the clock. Start with just 10 or 15 minutes. Or set yourself a goal of two or three pages and don’t stop until you’ve finished.
Prompts for free writing the life you want
Write your life as a fairy tale
Begin, “Once upon a time there was a girl …” and go from there. Remember, don’t stop writing! Simply let the story flow from your pen. Nothing is too ridiculous. If you get stuck, quickly ask, “what happens next?” and write the first thing that comes to mind. Keep writing until you reach your fairy tale ending.
Have a conversation with your future self
Imagine the years have flown by and you are sitting with your future self, a completely content 70 year old woman. Ask yourself whatever you want to know, and write down the first response – no censoring! You could ask:
- What are you most proud of?
- Who are the important people in your life?
- What makes you happy?
- What do you regret?
Be completely open and curious. If you get stuck, asked your future self to tell you about their day from morning until night.
Reflection
You can do these exercises by yourself or with a small group of friends. When you’ve finished look at what you have written and ask:
- What are the common elements / themes in your writing?
- What surprises you?
- What does this tell you about the life you really want?
- What could you fine tune today to move closer to the life you want?
You might also want to put your writing away and come back to it with a fresh perspective in a few days.
Share your discoveries in the comments below.
Image by pedrosimoes7
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Hello
I’ve done this before, but not for ages. am going to start a new free writing book.
Janet, great to hear! We would love to hear what you discover!
It’s really scary. Turning off the censor (as well as the editor) is so hard to do. But I seem to recall hearing, ‘If I can think it, I can do it.’
The next scary thing is acknowledging the validty of those insights and starting to make them happen.
It cen be scary turning off the censor, I have also found it to be liberating and freeing too. This seems to override the fear barrier. Turn it off, feel free and write Desolie …..