Does writing down your thoughts and emotions really help in clearing the mind?

[Anonymous]

[NathanDavis]

personally, yes... it did help me a whole WHOLE lot during my childhood and my early teens which is when I did it the most

and it was of great help in a few ways too, first... it was a way to release, to vent, to let out a bit or a lot of those thoughts, emotions and feelings, as some people say it can be cathartic

second... introspection, really looking at yourself and through yourself, inner focus can be very beneficial if you do it properly, writing down about these things as honest and openly as possible does help a lot with introspection, to get to really know yourself

third... perspective, because sometimes you might go back to re-read what you wrote time ago and as they also say, time is wise... and you can borrow from that wisdom sometimes, and sometimes this even starts to happen as you're writing down, you might gain a new perspective or approach as you go and let it out, and this can be very important, very helpful to always consider the same situation but, from a different point of view in whichever way this can manifest, for example if you're upset... we're always going to think and feel a bit differently about the same thing, based on whether we're still very upset about or less upset about it

[AmandaYVR]

I've thought about this a ton over the years and basically my answer for myself is no. I really do not think it does. In fact, I think it does the opposite, quite often, entrenches me in the problems and thinking.

I think I've finally isolated one fact, though. Writing them down, to someone else, a specific person, and knowing that they will actually read it (and hopefully care) - there is value in that. Support, sympathy, empathy, and sometimes a bit of advice, and certainly wisdom, are all positive. You feel less alone in your misery. I can't intellectually convince myself out of emotions by reminding myself of various ways that other people are suffering more, have it worse, etc etc, but sometimes one of the things about feeling bad is forgetting not many people truly do have an easy life, with no pain, no suffering. Sometimes, for instance, if it's not money that's the issue, it's loneliness, or stability, or being able to trust in others' intentions. That's just one example. For me, I just wish that I could share the details of my thoughts, and life, without actually having to write them, or say them. It's quite painful, and difficult, to summarize and explain. I actually loathe that process. But it might be necessary to form and maintain close bonds with people. If you give that up, never do it, those bonds and connections die.

In terms of writing the thoughts down just for my own benefit - no. Absolutely not. Because whenever I read it back it sounds like self-pity, and that makes me want to wretch.

[Jamie05rhs]

Aww.

[sage2021]

Yes, I believe writing is very cathartic, and it does make you feel better.
Keeping a nice journal with the type of person you like, and a pen you feel comfortable with helps too. Or you can do it on a computer. I like hand written better.

When my ex-husband and I broke up, I started writing. And guess what? My writing's came out in poetry form. Pretty cool huh?

Good luck with your writing's. Let us know if it's helping you okay?
Sage 🌹

[Asker]

Thanks!

[sage2021]

**correction**
*person should be **paper!
Stupid phone!!!

[Chazmatazz269]

Definitely. It’s also a great way to administer self advice. After you’ve assimilated the emotional part of an experience, if you’ve written it down, you can go back and read what you wrote. This will help to manage thoughts on the matter more clearly, practically and somewhat objectively. Furthermore, once you’ve been journaling or diarying for a while, you can kind of go back in time. See where you’ve grown and changed and where you maybe need more focus. Unless you’re a serial killer with lots to hide, there’s no downside to journaling. I think everyone should do it. Especially if they struggle to fall asleep because their “mind is racing”. A few minutes of pen to paper will likely make a ton of difference.

[OlderAndWiser]

At my age, I no longer need to do that, but wrting was very useful and cathartic for me when I was younger.

[soulbabe]

I'm someone who lives with a lot of stress and anxiety from a toxic with trama

And can honestly say writing it down how or what I'm going through really helps me.

There have been times when I was on my knees crying and started writing and I'd feel like I could get off the ground at least.

You will find you can convay much more of what your feeling on paper than what you could trying to say it

[Asker]

This is really helpful💯.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I started writing when I was little because I didn't want to talk about my stuff, and just kept doing that through the years. I think it's very healthy, now I realize it's a very good way to organize your thoughts, since when we think we may get overwhelmed with everything just flowing inside our heads, instead, in paper the flow of thoughts is more controlled and that's why it's so helpful. Writing helps you learn about yourself, vent, and find solutions. When we have problems, and we think we "don't" have the answer, we actually always have the answers to our problems, the thing is we don't talk to ourselves enough. When writing I've found the answers to why I feel, think, acted in certain way, controlling the flow of thoughts is amazing.

[Little_Bumblebee]

It does for me.
Oft when I have strong feelings, especially negative, they start to mush together and I cannot figure out what I'm even thinking and ot gets hard for me to process or know what I'm feeling and thinking in a constructive matter. It all just throws itself in my face in a way

[mobiusforniner]

Yes. Actually, I write all the time. Its surprisingly good therapy. Improves memory, creates emotional confirmation, serves as a record for your own reference. I've been doing it since i was an early teen and my vocabulary and writing skill has significantly improved as result. So, lots of positives

[Kori1236]

Yup, but I only do that when I don’t have anyone to vent to and bounce things off of.

[Asker]

Venting is more beneficial than writing.👍

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Yes, it's because it forces you to recognize, process and acknowledge your emotions. Then you can start reflecting on them and that's where I believe growth lies.

[Steamnir]

Yes but when u over react in writing it damages u more

[sixsixsix]

I write down my issues and when ever I need to get something off my chest because I don't really have friends to talk to because I pushed them all away because of a narcissistic relationship and the wife is heartless and has most people we know completely fooled so if i try to vent to anybody they call and tell her what I say and all that good stuff... so my suggestion is fly into arena lol

[Izzy_3991]

I believe it does. Seeing it in writing seems to help me make a plan or find a solution 😃

[SeriouslyFunny00]

Personally, yes. This method helped me a lot. Journaling my thoughts made me feel like I'm releasing them out my mind. It felt good.

[menina]

I can't say it does because I've never tried to do that. I have other methods to clear my mind.

[Tatabita]

Usually it does. Writing down things u need to remember before sleeping, (don't need to them in mind) can help u fall asleep faster or sleep well.

[lightbulb27]

does for me when my head is clogged with stuff to remember. i've done that and very helpful. might depend on how you are thinking and writing.

[Sonorous]

I notice it helps with organization & memory. Which are both very useful when wanting to "clear the mind."

[dustybiker]

Do it before sleep, you will sleep. If it’s written down you no longer have to remember it. It’ll be there in the am.

[Sour-rose]

Yup. Just write that shi down and soon things will probably become clear

[Marklaw12]

Depends on the individuals.

I wear my thoughts and emotions on my heart and it doesn't affect my mood cos I forget about them the next day. It doesn't impact my life choices.

[exitseven]

yes, sometimes it helps. GaG has been helpful like that.

[Andres77]

It helps me understand just a little more what I’m actually feeling.

[Legion696969]

No, only regularly meditation like Qi Gong by Master Chunyi Lin.

[Psychotic_Buddhist]

Meditation solves a lot of life's problems if you're analytical enough to get to the core issue each time

[Legion696969]

Yes, aim for lessening of thinking, I conciousness three fingers depth behind one, s navel. Obviously I'm not I fully admit to doing it all the time.

[TheeTrybrid]

It most definitely helps me , especially of something is bothering me so much

[Noahzaid]

Never helped me.

[Amarah0]

It works for me but might not for others

[horsedikred]

Please don't make me laugh

[Anonymous]

Sometimes yeah