Writing for Wellness
On an ordinary day, we accomplish hundreds if not thousands of tasks. Many are automated and habitual – we barely think about brushing our teeth or putting on clean clothes. Others, however, require focused attention, such as the endless debate about what to have for dinner. Regardless of the type, our lives are filled with numerous tasks to accomplish – most of us racing to complete as many as possible on any given day.
One such task that often goes unnoticed is the pencil-to-paper act of writing. While this may seem like an odd task to draw attention to, it only takes a moment of reflection to realize just how much writing occurs every day. From grocery and to-do lists to completing forms, signing paperwork, and capturing reminders on napkins, the truth is that technology has not yet replaced all forms of writing (to my 10-year-old’s dismay). In fact, many of us still find that writing occurs in some form with regularity – whether we wish it to or not.
Despite our familiarity with writing, and even the frequency of use, deliberate and intentional use of writing is much less commonplace. Our tendency is to view it as a task to assist with daily life rather than one that could enhance daily living. Yet, expressive writing has been shown to generate growth in mental resilience – a protective factor that allows us to be better prepared and able to tackle the normal challenges of life. For this reason, it can benefit us immensely to explore the use of writing – even shift it from a simple, mundane daily task to an intentional practice for supporting wellness and wellbeing.
So, what might a practice of wellness writing look like?
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a “writer” to write. It is not necessary to follow a specific format or be able to compose a perfect story or poem. It does not require a scripted length or proficient grammar and punctuation. Just the act of arranging words on paper can be effective for developing new understandings of ourselves and our driving motivations. Through deliberate and intentional writing, we can uncover our deepest hopes and dreams – we can bring our unique visions of wellness into focus.
Curious to give it a try? Consider one of these strategies to tackle a wellness writing exploration:
Write for self-reflection – This can be as simple as reflecting on who you are, who you are becoming, or even a reflection on personal growth. When we write for self-reflection, we are writing to understand and explore our own selves; we are writing to better define where we are and where we hope to go.
Write to process – Whether exploring life events or thoughts and emotions held, writing to process is a way to help calm the chatter that occurs in our minds and allows us to cultivate observations of our experiences. This helps us better establish mind-body-spirit connections that can lead us to new insights about a topic at hand.
Write for creativity – When we write for creativity, we become the best storyteller of our own lives. This type of writing allows for creative exploration of a story you envision or a reality you would like to create. It is through writing for creativity that we generate frames of possibility – we see our world from new perspectives through the story we unfold.
Write to envision – Bringing a vision into written words is a powerful practice that can support bringing a vision into life. By breathing what we envision into written hopes and dreams, we actively take charge of our life experience and choose the next steps forward that align with the vision of our design.
While wellness writing may not be an official type of writing in the way of essays, poems, and carefully constructed stories, it is an intentional and deliberate way of using a very commonplace task. Through writing for wellness, as opposed to daily task accomplishment, we can begin to explore the deeper feelings, emotions, and thoughts we carry inside and use them to generate new perspectives, identities, and pathways for moving forward. It is through even the simplest wellness writing that we can do more than check an item off our to-do list – we can craft and build the wellness we desire.
How will you explore the practice of writing to enhance your wellness this month?
