FREEWRITING is one of the most effective and easy forms of journaling. The idea is to write for a specified length of time (usually ten minutes), or to fill a specified number of pages, and not to stop until the timer’s sounded or the pages are full. What you write about is not important — only that you write and that you do it without stopping, without thinking, without evaluating or judging what you write.
The main benefit to freewriting as a journal writing method, is that you learn not to edit your words — or your thoughts. Sometimes previously repressed thoughts and emotions surface (you may be surprised at what you write), but then again you might write total incoherent nonsense for ten minutes. It doesn’t matter. Most of us have a compulsive habit of editing as we write, resulting in a repression of thoughts and emotions we consider unacceptable or “not good enough.”
When we freewrite, things are allowed to tumble out uncensored. Thus, freewriting clears the mind and emotions of clutter, relaxes some chaotic part of us, and allows us to then address important issues with a clear head. When used as a writing exercise, freewriting helps us find our natural rhythm and voice.
Freewriting can also help you to:
- Explore emotional issues on a deeper level. For example, let’s say that you find yourself unusually annoyed or upset by something, and you want to figure out what is at the bottom of that annoyance. Freewrite about it. Set a timer and just start writing: “Such and such annoys me and I’m not sure why. It could be because when I was little, my dad …” and so on.
– - Find subjects to write about. If you write (other than journaling), even just a blog, and aren’t sure what you want to write about, freewriting can help you find a topic. Think of a person, place, feeling, object, or event that is important to you and freewrite about it/him/her.
– - Accept yourself as you are. This may seem simplistic, but if you can learn to accept what you write without judgment, you can learn to accept the person behind the words without judgment, as well. For most of us, this is no small thing.
If you’ve never tried freewriting, perhaps because writing for ten minutes without stopping feels intimidating, or you think that it’s unproductive and a waste of time, I invite you to give it a try. During the next week, freewrite three times, for ten minutes each (no more — freewriting sessions are intentionally short). Then leave a comment here and let us know how you feel about the process.
If you freewrite on a regular basis, I invite you to add to this Journal Writing Tip conversation by sharing how you have benefited from the practice.
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Image Credit: Eemah
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I would say this is one of the best ways to get to the bottom of what you are feeling and why. It works and I am sometimes pleasantly surprised. I come out of it a little stronger, more knowledgeable and a bit kinder.
Freewriting has been one of the journaling techniques I use to help clear my head on what it is I might be feeling that day ever since I was little. I keep at least two different journals because of it. One journal is my main daily journal while the other is my freewriting journal. They both help me out when I need them. It’s also something that I was taught to do to help keep my feelings under control thanks to Go-Getters and other groups I’ve been to ever since I was a kid.
I did ten minutes of freewriting earlier this afternoon in a writing group. We used randomly drawn pictures from a huge pile of magazine clippings as prompts. My picture looked totally inane. I was tempted to put it back and redraw, but decided it must have a message for me and went ahead. I was right about the message. I was amazed to discover within the space of ten minutes that the surroundings I fantasize wanting may not be so satisfying should I be granted my wish. That goes a long way to explaining a lack of change in that direction …
A few others in the group were equally surprised at what they wrote. Several took their drafts home to polish into stories.
Sharon, I love using pictures as writing prompts. The idea of using random pictures from magazines is new to me, though, and would be a lot of fun to try (as well as challenging). I’ll try it this week and share my experience here.
Eden, thank you for your comment. I love the idea that you come out of freewriting stronger and kinder, in addition to more knowledgeable.
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Just wanted to say, this article very interesting, as someone who uses free writing to help gather ideas for projects. I hope you don’t mind, but I added a link to this post on my own blog about free writing, as I thought you had some interesting points, and would make for some good “further reading”.
Thank you, J.A. I always appreciate links to other writer’s blogs 🙂
I free write once a day, usually in my lunch break at work, and I have found that I am able to handle my workload and problems in the office with a much more level head. I’ve also discovered a lot about myself since I started doing this. Being a 20 year old woman and still trying to find my feet in the world is quite daunting so I’m glad to have found something that helps me calm down and get a better understanding of what’s in my head.
Mini.
Mini, thank you for commenting. You are very wise for a 20-year-old! Establishing a journal writing habit at this time in your life will hold you in good stead and help you get through the rough times. I’m happy that you’ve already discovered some of the benefits of journaling.
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Please help me to point out some limitations of free writing..
Hi Lohita, and thank you for joining the conversation! I’m not sure why you’d want to point out its limitations, but I can think of a couple. If you only freewrite and don’t engage in other journaling techniques, you may get bored with your writing practice. Also, you may find that you’re cycling around writing about the same things all the time without engaging your subconscious or digging deeper into meaningful topics. Freewriting can be hugely beneficial, AND it’s not the only way to journal or to benefit from journaling. I hope this answers your request 🙂
Thanks
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I am 48 years old. In high school my English teach had the entire class free write for 10 minutes at the beginning of the period. Initially it was very challenging, I did not like it and it appeared others felt similarly. It didn’t take long for free writing in English class to become an outlet for me, an outlet for emotions and an outlet for dreaming. I carried free writing into a regular journaling practice, lived and travelled alone on and off, and now I have 8 beautiful journals documenting my life before starting a family. At some point I will get back into journaling consistently but until then I am happy to bring this lovely tool to the curriculum of a mentoring program for underrepresented community members. P.S. it is super fun, engaging, and entertaining to read about yourself 20 years ago!!!
Hello Gillian, and thank you for your comments. Sorry for the delayed response – I was traveling off the grid and unable to respond until now. Yes, it can be very entertaining to read past journals, as well as instructive. :-). I’m glad you’re enjoying helping others through journaling.
Personally, I found for myself an interesting method for freewriting practice here https://productive.fish/blog/self-reflection/ There is a list of tips on how to self-reflect and it is helpful for me to combine writing and reflecting.
As someone who struggles to write, think, or even feel freely without editing, free writing has been a complete game-changer for me! It’s helped me to set aside my inhibitions as a writer and come up with creative ideas I didn’t know I had in me.
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