Writing

I started writing in Coolmine. I had to write my life story, and that's where I learned about reflection. It taught me what I do, why I do it, and how I can change the things I want to change.

It was one of my hardest habits to start

At the start I couldn't write about myself, because I didn't understand myself. I didn't know who I was.

It took time. And to this day I'm still exploring, because at times I'm my own worst enemy. Writing is one of the ways I keep understanding.

My nightly practice

Like meditation and walking, writing is a daily necessity for me. I write at night, before or after my breathwork, and it clears my mind so I sleep better.

Here's what I write about:

• How my day went.
• Anything that made me angry or hurt.
• Why I really felt that way.

That last part is the key. When I get angry, I write it down and then ask myself why. Then I reflect on the real reason behind it, because the thing that made me angry is rarely the whole story.

Meditation and writing go hand in hand

Sometimes I meditate and whatever comes up, I write it down. Then I reflect on it.

Both habits help me see what's going on inside my mind and body. Meditation lets things surface, and writing helps me make sense of them.

What it gives me

Writing helps me identify my feelings and understand myself. It also lets me express myself, which I couldn't always do. Getting it out of my head and onto the page stops it spinning around in there.

If you want to start

You don't need to be a writer, and you don't need to know yourself yet. Not knowing is the reason to begin.

• Write at the same time each night.
• Write about your day, and about anything that upset you.
• Ask yourself why, then keep asking until you reach the real reason.

You won't understand yourself overnight. But page by page, you'll start to.