Sarah Guirguis Since the beginning of time, writing has been a special, sacred outlet for people’s emotions, thoughts and dreams. Something about it is so beautifully therapeutic that even trauma patients are encouraged to write out their hurt if they can’t process what they are going through with a counsellor. In her article ‘Why I Write’, Joan Didion phrased it very well when she said, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means”.
While you might not have any deep issues to work on, through creative journaling, you get a unique chance to reconnect with yourself in a world where it has become so easy to lose sight of who you are, what you love and what you stand for. It also allows you to build uphill momentum where you can remain inspired and eager about life. If you would like to venture, you can try ‘free writing’ or use some of these prompts to get you started.
What’s on your heart these days?
Notice we didn’t ask, “What’s on your mind?” – this question goes a bit deeper than that. It’s not about your to-do list or any obligatory relational duties you have already committed to. This is a chance to explore what you actually want to do and the people you actually want to be around and connect with.
What have you been daydreaming about?
Going to Paris? Some downtime? A mountain adventure? Writing a book? Whatever it is, write about it. The more you reason through it, the more likely you will actually go for it. This is like a follow-up question to the first one since it happens to be on the same note of self discovery.
What have you been worried about?
Coming face-to-face with your fears is the best way to beat them. Sometimes they are not rational and writing about them helps us see that they lack any validity. Sometimes we don’t even know the root cause of our worry until we process how we feel. If you haven’t been able to talk about them with anyone, writing can be an ideal simulation for vulnerability.
Who inspires you? Why?
What about them inspires you? What do you hope to learn from them? This is a great way to honor and see the gold in the people around you. If no one comes to mind, you might want to consider making some new friends because surrounding yourself with the right people is about as important as having chocolate chips in a chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Name five things you really love to do. How do they make you feel?
Know the little things that make you happy, that have the potential to brighten your day. This becomes very helpful in practicing self-care and communicating your needs to your loved ones. This way, they also know how to take care of you when you’re down and need a pick-me-up. While you’re at it, you can also write down the things you want to do less.
What causes are you passionate about?
There are so many things to stand for in this day and age. It’s sad that there are too many ‘general activists’ who object to pretty much everything but very few people who actually make a change. Point out the causes you really care about, study and learn about the people affected, and then figure out how to serve in that field. At our core, we all want to add value to society somehow but it’s better to hone in your attention on one thing at a time than to never actually contribute anything at the end of the day.
Looking back at your childhood, is there a memory that stands out to you?
The moments ingrained in our memories with our parents, siblings and/or childhood friends growing up might have played a significant role in who we are today even though we don’t realize it. Whether happy or sad, it’s good to reflect on them. If happy, you get to keep and cherish the moments by writing them down for future you to look back on. If sad or painful, you get to open up an old wound, re-sterilize it and allow it to heal. In the latter case, it is never too late.
Which areas in your life are you most discouraged about?
For some people, the answer is clear and simple because they are aware of these areas and are constantly trying to find a way around them. I encourage you to think about this with a fresh lens because sometimes we have leftover disappointments in our subconscious, as well. They will start popping up in your head one by one, and as you write them down, try to process how you can approach these areas with a healthier mindset.
What are the values you want to live by?
Big question, huh? Without vision, we lose our identity. What are the pillars you want to build your character on? Gentleness? Honesty? Perseverance? Make your list and reflect, but also, don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like you’re not living them out right now. Allow yourself the grace to grow.
Where are you happiest? Describe that place.
Where do you feel most at home? What about that place makes you feel that way? When and with whom do you want to visit? What I love about simple questions like this is that they are invitations to keep dreaming, instead of allowing routine to limit your creative mind that was always meant to let you soar.
