How writing can calm the mind
Writing can calm the mind and untangle overlapping thoughts. My brain functions in the same way a noisy party does; there are lots of conversations happening at once. I listen to all of them, and focus on none of them which leaves me overwhelmed and exhausted.
What was I saying?
As you can imagine, this can be tiring for me and everyone else. My husband gets frustrated when I begin talking to him halfway through a story or sentence. Sometimes, I feel hurt when he hasn’t joined in or given me an appropriate response. Then I focus and see the confused look on his face.
I have found the way to quiet and organise my thoughts is to focus and write them down.
A to-do list to help organise mind chaos
To start with, I write a to-do list in my time management book. But my list is what I like to call inclusive. Some items on my list are so insignificant that other people wouldn’t bother to write them down, but I must or I will forget.
My friend Rachel told me about her ta-da! list. This includes all that she has achieved that day. Psychologically, this makes perfect sense. It can help you feel motivated for mundane tasks, and there is satisfaction in striking items from the list.
I have started to include ta-da items on my to-do list, and, I must admit, it is very satisfying.
Hardcopy diaries don’t need to be charged to work
As well as a to-do list, I keep a diary. I admire the many who use diaries on their phones with colour-coded calendars. All the families’ activities are organised and can be accessed within three taps.
However, I like pen and paper. It makes me feel physically calmer and in control when I write things down. I feel it helps me remember more easily. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
My diary is a gorgeous purple perfect-bound book with gold embossed print. It has individual tabs for each month and soothes me with its clear, calm typeface.
My diary is a record of work I have completed, appointments and includes impending deadlines for clients. I’m not a total luddite as I also have a working document on my laptop.
Writing to manage obtrusive thoughts
If I need to focus my mind, I write. Writing down my thoughts and ideas helps me get them out of my head. This is a technique recommended for improving mental health for a long time.
In my previous life as a teacher, I always kept a notebook beside my bed.
When I woke in the night, I reached for my notebook and a scalpel-sharp HB pencil. It’s just not the same writing with a soft point.
Then I’d scribble away like Veronica Sawyer from Heathers in her monocle until the tornado of my mind was lulled into quiet. My heartbeat slowed and I would sink back into my pillows.
On waking, I read through my spider-like scrawl to decipher what had been so urgent that it had interrupted my sleep – again. Often, I was updating records, planning a parent call, or thinking of a child whose issues needed more attention.
Teaching is a wonderful job, but the admin can be overwhelming. Especially when everything you do is classed as urgent. Writing helped relieve the worries in my mind and allowed me to feel calmer.
Writing as a form of meditation
Freewriting is great for capturing fragments of dreams before they slip from your consciousness. That’s why you write first thing in the morning.
This takes longer to get into as a habit and relies on being strict with yourself about getting up in the morning. Apparently, it takes 100 hours of repeating something before it becomes fixed. I’m not there yet, but when I do manage to write in the morning my mind feels clearer.
Occasionally, these fragments can be reviewed and spun into stories.
Journaling
Since I became ill last year, journaling has been part of my recovery. In March, a friend suggested I document all the hospital visits and operations I’d had. This was as a record and a permanent reminder that I’m far more resilient than I thought. Who knows it could become my answer to the misery memoir, but with a lighter touch!
Expressive journaling can be very therapeutic.
At my lowest, I found writing really helped to make sense of what I was going through. I was reading a lot of Marian Keyes at the time, and I’m sure some of my entries are derivative of her confessional style. If you’re going to imitate anyone, Keyes is a good place to start.
Playing with words
And words. Words are everything. I enjoy how some words feel in my mouth when I form them. I love seeing the effect they have on other people. Sometimes, I use them to shock or offend. Often I use them to try to get people to laugh.
It’s a hang-up of being the middle child. Make them laugh, so they’ll hear you. Sometimes it works; other times it doesn’t.
What to eradicate from writing
Like most writers, I could benefit from a good editor. As with many of us, I tend to overwrite.
I’m a fan of True Crime podcasts, and from this I have learnt that killers familiar with their victims tend to overkill. I do this with my writing. Now and then when I’m trying to impress someone or I’m nervous I use a word to convince them I’m clever. What I notice about good writing is how economical it can be.
Good writers understand the point of writing is communication with the reader. If you can be understood without confusion, you’ve succeeded.
Most of my writing is just for me and that’s fine.
Writing can help calm your mind. Try it and see.
