- Toby Sinclair
5 Mindful Writing Exercises for your Self-Care Toolkit
Updated: Aug 3, 2020
“Write hard and clear about what hurts.” Ernest Hemingway

Our thoughts can often be all consuming. We can feel locked in by our internal dialogue, unable to escape.
Writing is a great way to process your thoughts, relax your mind and gain clarity. A 2011 study published in the journal of science found that students who journalled were better able to ease their anxieties.
Benefits also include:
Boosting self-esteem
Creating “Me” time
Relieves stress and anxiety
Increasing creativity
Letting go of thoughts
As simple as it sounds, writing can be incredibly daunting. What should I write? How should I write it? And our inner critic asks, is it good enough?
Mindful writing has been in my self-care toolkit since 2018. I’ve incorporated into my daily and weekly routines alongside meditation. I can speak first hand of the benefits listed above, especially the ability to let thoughts go by writing them down.
I have developed several different writing exercises which i’m sharing here so you can add mindful writing to your self-care toolkit.
5 Mindful Writing Exercises
Become more present
Examine a difficult relationship
Explore Your Identity
Relax physical pain
Increase Emotional Awareness