10 Comments

Hi Tanya I always begin all my writing workshops with free writing. The science PhD students are the most reluctant yet all scientific breakthroughs have been arrived at through lateral thinking, creativity and playful thought. There is evidence that writing with a pen on paper uses a different part of your brain than using a device - tapping into memory and the subconscious. I also always give them a prompt with an emotion word, such as feel, which gives them permission to channel emotional rather than rationality. Sending sunshine ☀️

Expand full comment

Totally agree with you. 👌

Expand full comment

I love the surprise discovery element with this form of journaling, I'll often start off with one thing on my mind and it will trail onto another - it definitely feels like a form of release, similar to that post therapy feeling where you have more clarity and self compassion

Expand full comment

Love free-writing. Always used on my freshman comp classes, and morning pages done regularly are life changers.

Expand full comment

I agree. Although I had to change my morning pages to “Anytime Pages” which then became “Rage on a Page”. I owe a lot to JC 🙏👌💫

Expand full comment

Free writing is such a powerful, yet simple, technique. I love all of your points, especially the surprise discoveries. These never cease to amaze me. Thanks for a great article. 💜

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for commenting Phoebe. Thrilled you enjoyed reading my Substack. I think I could free write all day long given half the chance 😂

Expand full comment

Thank you for this, Tanya! Just what I needed 🗝️📝

Expand full comment

My pleasure. Thank YOU for connecting 🙏

Expand full comment

Yes Jodie I totally resonate with your comments. So many insights to be gained from one free writing session. Hope you have a wonderful weekend 😎

Expand full comment