Stream of consciousness journaling is a great way to unload your heavy mind and prime yourself for any creative task. It’s a liberating feeling to write in this fashion as there’s no structure to it except that it’s purely unstructured. No journal prompts are necessary. There’s no beginning, middle, or end. It’s a sit-down-at-the-page-and-move-that-pen writing exercise.
Stream of consciousness writing captures whatever thoughts and feelings arrive in the present moment. It originated from literary criticism as a mode of exploring character development in the hopes of replicating a real mind in action, so-to-speak. But for personal journaling purposes, it’s often referred to as free writing and can be a great tool for self development.
In this style, there’s no focus on proper grammar or rhetoric. But it can help you overcome writer’s block or release pent up thoughts and feelings. It can lead you towards personal goals if you use it as fodder for creative pursuits and dream-life ideas. Thus, it’s a great mental primer for inspired life endeavors.
Let’s explore stream of consciousness writing and some tips for getting started.
How To Do Stream of Consciousness Writing
Doing this type of free-writing is easy but you have to get out of your own way. It’s tempting as we write in this style to think critically about what’s coming onto the page and to edit it. Don’t! You may find yourself referencing some old boyfriend you haven’t thought about in years and think, “how stupid,” or that you cut your toe on a nail. Not everything will make sense but it’s all food for thought and your subconscious mind bubbling up interesting inner life facts. Try to be a witness to it, carry a sense of curiosity, and to not interrupt or judge the process.
Here’s a few pointers to get started:
Write in Solitude
Find a time and a place where you can be alone and uninterrupted. This way you can really get ‘in the zone’ of writing and fully enter the process. You can create a positive ritual around it, such as lighting candles or playing soft music, or having your favorite hot drink playing wingman to encourage you. Just set the tone of “this is important me-time” and block out any distractions.
Stay in the Present Moment
Try not to think about what you have to do that day (but you can surely write about it if that’s coming up) or get side-tracked daydreaming (if you do, write that!). Breathe into the moment and put your focus on the task at hand. Use your senses to help you be here now. Feel the pen, hear the sound of writing, see the words coming out. You get the point!
Don’t Think About it, Just Write
This may be the biggest hurdle. Just let it happen without judging or editing. Things you say may surprise you. Cool! Food for thought later. Don’t sit and think about what to write, just keep going without stopping. Even if you’re just repeating, “I don’t know what to write,” keep going.
Don’t Focus on Paragraphs, Form, or Shifting Content
Write in one big word blob if you want. Don’t try to organize your thinking or how the words look on the page. Don’t try to make sentences fit together or sound cohesive. You’re not in high school English class. You’re like a 5 year old speaking in non-sequiturs or illogically spewing whatever comes to mind. Stream of consciousness writing is right-brained in the sense that it’s not necessarily logical. That’s part of the point and how it triggers creativity.
Don’t Force the Process
Sometimes when I do this type of journaling I’m barely breathing and writing as fast as I can, as though in some kind of mental race to be the best stream-of-consciousness writer. Don’t do this! If you need to pause, gather yourself, and re-center, do that. Let this be a totally giving process; one where you embrace the unique universe inside of you ready to tumble out, however sloppily, onto the page. No forcing, just being with it.
Set a Time Limit
Setting a time limit really helps with this process. Sometimes that’s a literal clock set for 30 minutes or it’s a page limit like to write for only 3 pages. In the profound book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron advises people to write for no less than 3 pages. This gives enough time for your brain to get “juiced up” and for the beans to really spill on what’s holding you back, or stressing you out, in your thoughts. But it prevents you from wandering off too far into the vast reaches of your mental landscape and getting overwhelmed.
Have a Detached Mindset
Here I don’t mean “don’t have emotions”. Surely, this practice can bring them up. But what I mean is, as in meditation, be a witness to whatever is coming up without judgment. You’re the observer of what’s arising out of you. No labels, no critiques. Let it be and let yourself be curious as to “who this is that’s having these thoughts and feelings.”
Take a Moment to Meditate Afterwards
Stream of consciousness writing can be an overwhelming experience for some, especially when starting out. All sorts of memories, unprocessed life events, and daily stressors can bubble to the surface and leave you feeling drained or overstimulated. Take 5-10 minutes afterwards to sit in silence and just focus on your breathing. Breathe deep into your belly and slowly out. Let your mind quiet and absorb all of that writing. Come back down to Earth and get ready for whatever you have to transition to next.
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Benefits of Stream of Consciousness Journaling
This is really a fantastic way to dive into your own mind and explore your thoughts and feelings. No filters, no judgments—just raw, unfiltered you on the page. It’s like taking a peek into your own psyche and discovering the hidden gems you didn’t even know were there. Plus, it’s a great emotional release valve. Stream of consciousness writing lets you pour it all out on paper, leaving you feeling lighter and more at peace.
This creative exercise can enhance your creativity by letting your thoughts flow freely and opening up new pathways in your brain. So, let’s chat about some of the benefits of this style of journaling. You might just be pleasantly surprised by what you uncover!
Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
Stream of consciousness writing allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a free-flowing manner. By writing without any filters or judgments, you can gain deeper insights into your own psyche and uncover subconscious thoughts and emotions. It can be a tool for self-discovery and self-reflection.
Allows for Emotional Release
Sometimes, we carry emotional burdens or stress that we may not even be fully aware of. Stream of consciousness writing provides a space for you to express and release these emotions. It can be a cathartic process that helps you let go of negative feelings and find emotional relief.
Unlocks Creativity and Gives New Ideas
Stream of consciousness writing encourages uninhibited expression. It can help unlock your imagination. By allowing your thoughts to move onto the page, you may discover new ideas, insights, or connections that can fuel your creative endeavors. You can always come back to your writings for ideas that came out that then turn into new projects or hopeful outlooks.
Develops Critical Thinking
When you write without constraints, as mentioned, your mind can generate a range of ideas and perspectives. Stream of consciousness writing can be a valuable problem-solving tool. By jotting down your thoughts, you may stumble upon novel solutions or gain fresh perspectives on challenges you’re facing.
Creates a Mind-Body Connection
Engaging in deep journal writing can be a form of mindfulness practice. By focusing your attention on the present moment and letting your thoughts flow naturally, you can cultivate a sense of awareness and presence. It can also deepen your connection to your own body and emotions.
Reduces Stress and Releases Worries
Writing can be a therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Free writing provides an outlet for expressing and processing difficult emotions, which can lead to a sense of relief and relaxation. It helps us process situations and triggers our unconscious to solve the problems we face.
Improves Writing Skills
Regular practice of this writing style can enhance your overall writing skills. It helps develop your ability to write fluidly, and without self-censorship. Over time, this can improve your writing fluency, creativity, and self-expression in other forms of writing as well.
How To Use Stream of Consciousness for Creative Pursuits
Stream of consciousness writing is a springboard into other creative pursuits or activities. Loosening up your thinking, getting out of your left, logical and orderly brain and into your right, abstract and artistic side stimulates the elan vital, or vital force.
The elan vital is a French word loosely meaning the orderly coming together of complex things in such a way as to stimulate energy. Henri Bergson, philosopher who coined the term, called it, “The intuitive perception of experience and the flow of inner time.” Thus, when we allow ourselves to freely write, we are accessing this inner life force that we then can take with us into our goals and life dreams.
In conclusion, incorporating stream of consciousness writing into your personal growth and self-care activities can enhance your creative pursuits. It will open up a gateway to self-discovery, innovation, and profound transformation, empowering you to unleash the untapped depths of your mind and create a rich tapestry of ideas and insights.