Most people hate to write. Comparing themselves to some renowned writer of the early twentieth century, they feel that their writing is undeveloped, insignificant, or just plain ridiculous.
Before tossing your newly-written manuscripts in the trash, consider these three benefits of writing.
1. Writing boosts your imagination.
Have you ever had trouble coming up with ideas for a project? Have you ever had trouble writing a speech? In general, have you ever had trouble “putting the pieces together?’
Writers usually have less trouble coming up with unique or innovative ways to handle assignments in day-to-day life. Ideas that they’ve put on paper are still fresh in their mind when applying their thinking to daily happenings.
Consider writing as exercise for the brain. By writing everyday or even once a week, you’re giving your brain practice for bigger and better essays and stories to come.
2. Writing relieves stress.
As much as we may wish for our feelings of anguish, guilt, depression, or anxiety to fade away on their own, the world doesn't work this way. Ever heard of talking your feelings out? However, what do you do when no one's there to listen to your rants? Resort to writing, another effective form of communication and stress relief.
A study conducted by the psychology department at the University of Texas at Austin found that students who devoted as little as 15 minutes a day to writing about traumatic experiences reported less health problems. In comparison, those who decided to bottle up their emotions found themselves visiting the university’s health center more often.
While improving your health, writing your emotions out on paper is more likely to solve pressing problems than keeping them to yourself. Writing out your issues on paper gives you some sort of a blueprint to refer to when deciding what course of action to take. In comparison, sorting out your problems step-by-step in your brain makes you more likely to forget an important detail or become frustrated.
When the problems of life become too much for you, take out a piece of paper and write. A page of writing a day may keep your depression away.
3. It boosts your confidence.
This reason may require a bit of convincing, but hear me out.
When writing, most people compare their stories to other well-known novels, halt their ideas completely, and prevent stories from ever developing into something new.
Sure, you may not be able to pop out five volumes of Les Miserables on your own, but looking at your own finished product should be able to give you some sort of satisfaction. Instead of viewing your stories as failures, look at them as beautiful products of your brain’s activities. Having the ability to come up with ideas singlehandedly is an impressive feat! Be proud of whatever you write. Your writings are special treasures that can only be produced by your mind and your mind only.
Before deciding to stop writing once and for all, consider writing’s important benefits. I promise you that writing does more good than it does harm. So, take out your pen and let your imagination run wild.
