Writing a friend or journaling has many benefits when facing stressful times.

I know for some, it is difficult. Flashbacks of grade school writing exercises of 5-minute speed drills paralyze the pen. The fear of spelling errors, incorrect functions, and less-than-perfect grades. We have spilled our hearts or thoughts and been judged for it.

But there is a cathartic benefit from writing, especially when you are under stress.

First, from all the thoughts in your brain, prioritize one enough to feel it is worth continuing to think on, even put on paper. There is so much floating around up there that it’s like reaching out your hand and grabbing one. And don’t be afraid; there is no right or wrong thought. They are all yours. Just find the one you want to go deeper with.

Second, write the thought down. Get it out of the mind and onto paper or computer. Try to put it in words, or just let the words flow wherever they want to. No one is going to grade your paper. No one is going to judge you. This is just for you.

Writing it down has a funny way of giving the thought value. Yes, you picked it out and found it worthy, for whatever reason, to take up space and time. Just writing the initial thought down can have a calming effect.

It also makes it real. Your thoughts and feelings are not a fantasy. They are not from someone else’s movie. They are yours, and they are happening in your life.

Third, describe your thought. Dig a little deeper. What does it feel like? What does it remind you of? Have you had it before? When? Why do you think you are thinking about this? Whatever comes to you, let it flow. Each supporting thought gives the initial thought validation. It didn’t come out of the blue, but it had a connection, a connection to yourself and others.

Keep going until you run out of energy or paper. There is no word count to get to or expectations from others. And remember, there is no grade. You can have a run-on sentence or three exclamation marks!!! No one is judging you for your thoughts. 

Then, fourth, ask yourself, “What does this thought have to do with today or the future? How do I feel? What have I learned?  Where do I go from here? What action should I take?” It doesn’t have to be momentous; it may be more subtle. Maybe just valuing the thought will be enough, giving it credibility. Maybe there is an action you need to take – what keeps you from taking that action? Taking this as far as it goes gives a certain amount of closure to our ramblings.

A friend with a brain tumor wrote me in a recent email, “Just placing this all on paper has helped me so much.” Getting those rambling thoughts on paper helped her. I was just the listening ear, the safe person, someone who would not judge or grade the paper.

So, let’s get writing!

Comment: What is your “thought” you want to think about more?