I was that nerdy child in the 90s who used to sit down and write while other kids used to do their childish banters. My inclination to writing started by accident and stayed by choice. I was a notorious kid and was a nightmare to my teachers and the caretakers at home. I was made to start writing as a way of getting the spark back.
Soon my family and I realized how addictive this distraction was. It was doing more good than bad. I was more organized and focused compared to other kids my age. I was creative and made stories about mythical Indian demons and gods. Oh, that sparkle I saw in my friend’s eyes when they heard those stories were out of the world!
And then “Life Happened “to me, for obvious reasons. Some good reasons and some not so good. I grew up, went to college for graduation and masters. Meanwhile, the only writing I did was my assignments and essays. And then Job happened, and the writing got limited to just memos and MOMs.
Today I work with a company I had dreamed off during college. Things are good! Like most adults today I am stuck in the monotony of life. I have a sense of disorientation in my soul lately. Not that I am complaining (I am, to myself) but life is indeed a bit dull. I have the job I wanted, and it pays well too. I am traveling places, meeting new people and seeing the guy of my dreams. You might think what’s missing then? I miss that sparkle; I miss that joy of having things sorted and planned out in advance.
I might have missed that Sparkle as an innocent forgetful child. Or did the sparkle leave me because I had taken it for granted? By now you must understand that “Sparkle” means my habit of writing. Probably my sense of disorientation was born from the lost connection with myself. I know that feeling because I compare it to how connected and confident I was as a child. Writing as a habit, made sure that my thoughts were super organized. As a child, I knew what I wanted in life and what my priorities were. Now as an adult, I am confused thinking what my quarterly goals should be about.
I started writing again last summer, for my good. It was a desperate attempt to regain my lost connection to myself. I needed some serious motivation to bring in the right changes in my life. And believe me, when I say this, I already feel so much lighter. All I do now as a habit is write more often in my journal or even on sticky notes. Even these small habits have managed to organize my life and increase my productivity to impressive levels. The habit of writing is a powerful tool; you will have to use it for yourself to feel its gain. Writing is a great way to keep learning about self.
I keep these tips in mind for keeping myself motivated and productive:
Have the right platform to write, as per your convenience
I write in a handcrafted journal; its papers are so beautiful that they make me want to write more often. If you are someone who loves to illustrate while writing, it pays to keep the right pens handy.
Have a comfortable spot, decide on a time and make it a habit
Having a particular spot helped me make my writing feel more private. Every time I see that corner of my house I am reminded to write. Having a particular time allotted for your writing trains your brain to make it a habit. It certainly does take time, but you will love the ritual you make with yourself gradually. I did, and I love it.
Getting the spark back … avoid distractions
Before and after you make your writing ritual, stay away from distractions during it. I turn off my gadgets when I am writing. The spot you select should be comfortable and be devoid of major distractions. In just a couple of months, even my dogs have understood not to bother me when I am in my spot doing my thing.
Be open and transparent when you write
I have realized as adults we judge ourselves too along with the people around us. Stop doing that; it harms you that you can’t imagine. Understand that you are writing for yourself and not to impress an editor here. Write about your goals and thoughts as openly as possible.
Writing down your goals and motivations is a must
Writing on Paper is a strong tool, that more people need to use. There’s a correlation between the brain and eyes. You tend to remember your points more clearly when you see them being written by yourself on a paper.
You are writing to de-stress
As you carry on with your great habit, it becomes important to remember this point. We write down or jot down points that we want to remember. This helps you to clear your mind. It is only with a clear and composed mind that you get new ideas. Try to make yourself a clean slate after every writing session. This will motivate you to try out new things and make new goals.
The bottom line
It is okay if you lost that sparkle for a while, that happens to a lot of us. It’s more important to realize its importance and get it back at the right time. Because losing that sparkle is a lot like losing yourself. It’s high time more people see how powerful writing is in making people productive and motivated in life.