The Art of Intentional Journaling
Writing has always been a struggle for me. However, I recently stumbled upon a method that has unlocked a floodgate of ideas. Whether you're a blogger, content creator, or someone grappling with writer's block, this approach might offer a breakthrough.
My Journey of Struggle:
As a YouTuber for the past seven years, I've often struggled to articulate my thoughts clearly. I used to rush into recording videos with only a few scattered points, resulting in murky content. Avoiding writing became a habit since it wasn't my forte, and who enjoys focusing on a weakness?
A Necessary Break:
Realizing the need for a fresh perspective, I took a deliberate hiatus. During this break, I refrained from pressuring myself to write. Returning with renewed vigor, I approached writing differently this time.
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Intentional Journaling
Rather than viewing writing as a daunting task of crafting outlines or scripts, I embraced it as intentional journaling. There was no pressure to produce a polished draft; instead, I focused on capturing my thoughts authentically. Write or do nothing.
Have you ever noticed how tired your dog gets after a walk? Whether it's short or long It’s not because they had some killer work, it’s because their brains worked so much in that short time sniffing, recognizing, categorizing, and meeting new dogs and people. The mental stimulation is through the roof.
It’s either working to produce or overstimulated with social media, notifications or some or simply the need to constantly produce. Imagine only having two choices at a park, sit on the grass or go down the slide. They both seem like great options, and decisions become less exhausting since you only have two. The Write or do nothing option limits distractions for a period in your day allowing you the space and time to focus.
Deep Work:
That’s the significance behind adding some deep work principles to this routine. It gives us the space to allow ourselves to deeply think about issues, problems and creative endeavors without thinking of the end production.
An Author’s Schedule
Seeking inspiration, I delved into videos on writing routines and stumbled upon a YouTuber experimenting with famous authors' schedules. Intrigued, I decided to adopt a modified version of one author's routine. Find an inspiring place to write. Give yourself two choices: write or do nothing. That’s it for 4 hours.
Pomodoro method
Additionally, I implemented the Pomodoro technique, working in focused 25-minute intervals with short 5-minute breaks in between. These breaks are perfect for changing laundry, and checking texts if you have other responsibilities. I usually only answer if they are quick responses or an emergency. Everything in between will just have to wait until my Deep Work is complete. Capturing ideas with my Second Brain
Morning Pages
Drawing from "The Artist's Way," I adopted the practice of "Pages," where I'd write three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts without censoring myself.
Embracing the Process:
Through this journey, I discovered the joy of handwriting with a pen and the liberation of letting my thoughts roam freely on paper.
Understanding what Writers block means to me and how to combat it. The key is that most authors never actually start with a blank page. That’s how you avoid writers block even if you’re not a writer or feel like you might run out of ideas. With this you can come up with endless topics.
Conclusion:
Implementing intentional journaling and experimenting with different writing techniques has completely transformed my approach to writing. It's no longer a daunting task but a liberating journey of self-expression and creativity. If you struggle with writing, consider trying intentional journaling—it might just be the key to unleashing your fierce creativity!
Stay Fierce,
Ashlee