Author: Arthur Rios

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Every writing experience differs from one person to another. That is because there are a variety of genres and approach. Some of the writers create content with detailed information, while others tend to blog. Some writers want to make their content simple, while some wish to it academically related. But the common thing about these bloggers or writers is their experience on hidden traps.

What people do not know is that blogging can be very lonely. Perhaps that is due to the times that writers are all by themselves. They sit in front of their computer or laptop all day while having deep thoughts about the things around. These people get obsessed about creating a better article content that helps and informs people. In unfortunate instances, these bloggers obsessed with the wrong things. With that, let us talk about what mistakes that bloggers often unnoticingly do.

Writing Without Research

Blogging is a form of writing that talks to people directly. It states experience and feelings in content. It often focuses on public engagement, as well. But given its not-so-strict- approach, some bloggers miss out an essential requirement when writing – research. Not because blogging is writing that typical tells and says anything, it does not mean writers should create content that gets based on false information. Since blogging aims to share information through engaging content, it still requires details that are perhaps true and near people’s expectations.

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Not Considering Their Readers

Most times, writers white because they try and express themselves. They want people to understand their ideas and thoughts. However, what some of these bloggers often forget is the purpose of their content. Some writers do not consider their readers and only care about their page views. Meaning, these people create a dull, unrelated, and misleading content that entirely wants nothing but exposure. It is still a way of branding, though. But this type of method that some bloggers do to get the public’s attention rips their chance of becoming a better blogger instead.

Blogging Without A Niche

Sure, there a lot of article contents out there that bloggers can write. They can blog about food, travel, hotels, business, and all the stuff that interests them. But the thing is, bloggers often create a mistake in writing because they disregard the importance of having a niche. They usually write about twenty to thirty articles that do not seem relatable. With those entire different niches, these writers get bombarded with a lot of resources that soon make them feel overwhelmed. As a result, they somehow lose focus.

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Yes, blogging is an art. It is a way for writers to express themselves and point out opinions they have. However, there are specific considerations that bloggers should understand. Not because writing is fun and easy, it should get done improperly. So for those bloggers out there who want to create inspiring and engaging content make sure you do not focus on these common mistakes.…

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Art can take many forms, all of which are therapeutic in so many ways. For me, something that makes you happy and keeps you from thinking about your problems certainly affects your mental health positively. Writing, for example, is therapy for the mind and soul. It is a powerful weapon that enables one to release negativity through the words that he jots down. It allows one to face his challenges while instilling some coping skills to solve these challenges.

“Moving your worries from your head to paper is a great stress reducer,” says Ryan Howes, a clinical psychologist. “Part of the stress is worrying that you’ll forget what you’re worried about. Writing it out helps you forget momentarily, he said. It also can improve your sleep,” he adds.

Read on and understand how writing therapy works and what it does for us.

The Mechanics

What is the concept behind writing therapy? It is simply to write what you feel and what you think about things with no hesitation and no prejudice. You don’t have to determine whether it’s appropriate or not, polite or rude. Don’t be ashamed or scared either. Don’t set rules for yourself. Just go ahead and sit, stand, or lie on your belly and get your pen and paper.

The important concept to remember is to write using your heart, not your mind.

Contrary to what some people think, there is quite a bit of difference between writing therapy and journaling. When you say journaling, your goal is to effectively document events and the emotions associated with these events. You can also use journaling the same way as writing therapy but it is not limited only to the therapy itself.

On the other hand, when you write for the purpose of therapy, the focus is on the trauma or the reason for the pain that you feel. You write about why you are hurt. Like journaling, writing therapy is also primarily for you and your satisfaction. It doesn’t need to be validated by others – even by you. You actually don’t have to read what you write, as its purpose is only to feel relieved and lighter. You don’t have to worry so much about grammar, sentence structure, and errors, among others.

“It’s about being the witness to ourselves and for ourselves. We can hold the larger context together by having a simultaneous perspective of being in the moment, being the wise self or observing ego, and knowing that you have the strength and resilience to get through it. It’s the concrete manifestation, the ink on paper or pixels on screen, which provides a tangible reality that we can relate and come back to.” – Kathleen Adams, LPC. 

Ways To Write Therapeutically

There are two ways to make writing a therapeutic art form. The first is the typical description of writing therapy, and the second one is based on personal experience.

• Don’t Force It. You know you want to write about the pain and suffering, but you can’t find the words or you don’t feel like writing yet. You don’t need to force yourself to write something. You can wait until your pen finds the paper but you just have to keep trying. Today might not be the day, but tomorrow might. While you’re waiting, you’ll also grow stronger, more patient, and apparently more resilient.

• Write Now. This second one I learned through my many attempts of resolving my problems through writing therapy. I did the first suggestion and it did work but the process was slow for me. When I encouraged myself to write anything and everything I felt that day, despite the fact that I didn’t want to write because I couldn’t confront the truth with my words, I inserted some phrases that used the third person. I used ‘she’ and ‘her’ instead of ‘I’ and ‘me.’ This really helped me a lot.

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Before we move on, let me just remind you that one doesn’t have to be a great writer or to have a lengthy writing experience. Just let yourself be guided by your emotions, what you’ve been through, and practically anything you want to put down on paper.

Benefits – What It Does

1. Improves Emotional Health. Just as you want to take care of your physical health, you should also do well to protect your emotional health. Writing therapy prevents you from bottling your emotions and keeping you depressed and frustrated because you have not released the negativity. Writing down your pain reduces your sadness and softens your heart. You will grow more hope in you and will soon look forward to better days.

According to Cynthia McKay, a psychotherapist, “Expressing yourself in a journal can bring your thoughts and feelings to the surface. Many people are surprised by what they write,” she says. “You may discover you’re worried about something you didn’t know was upsetting you until you wrote it down.”

2. Promotes Discipline. Committing to doing therapeutic writing daily for a mere 15 to 20 minutes establishes some kind of routine that will help you instill discipline and avoid procrastination. If you think of it as a task and responsibility, you will initially be forced to get up and write what you can without feeling it. But after a few days, you’ll realize how much it has helped you and then you’ll make it a habit to release everything that’s in your heart and mind before even starting your day.

3. Be Honest But Try To Be Positive. Yes, writing therapy somehow requires you to be honest about what you put on paper, because after all, it’s about how you feel, right? What I mean is, you don’t have to literally write everything you feel the negative way. Instead of saying, “I don’t know how long I can stand the pain,” you can write, “I know I’m in pain right now, but I am hopeful that things will be all right.” You don’t have to write, “This day just sucks,” although it’s how you honestly feel. Rather, you can say, “Well, there are days worst than this.”

Takeaway

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I have tried different kinds of art for therapeutic purposes, and I’d say that writing therapy has indeed helped me move on. It has opened my eyes to my strengths and weakness, and to the fact that no one is spared from negativity. But know that whoever you are, you are armed with a lot of weapons, and among the strongest ones that will save you might just be a pen and a paper!

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Many people write to express their feelings and emotions. For some people, it is a hobby to jot down all the things that enter their mind as well as talk about what they are going through. At the same time, there are also some individuals who write because it is a significant part of their career. Unfortunately, there are times when the said professional suffers from a writer’s block. If you are suffering from this, make sure to read this article as I will share some tips that I got from the 2015 Lansing rally of writers conference.

Take A Break

Whenever you encounter a writer’s block or a moment when you are lost with what to write, the best option that you can do is to rest for a while. Do not be afraid to take a break from your regular activities and try something new. It is an excellent way to recharge your brain.

Write Randomly

If you have no idea on what to write on your essay or article, another option that you can do is to try freestyle writing. All you have to do is write down anything that enters your mind. Let your thoughts flow until you find one that makes sense and can inspire you to write again.

Exercise Regularly

As a writer, it is essential for you to have an active lifestyle. Take note that it can be dangerous for your health if you will keep on facing your laptop and sit all day. Sometimes, you have to get moving to activate your brain cells and inspire you to become more productive.

Keep in mind that having a writer’s block is only normal. This phase is only temporary. You can soon get back to writing as long as you know how to follow the tips mentioned above.

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Have you heard of the saying, “Children didn’t just come out of an instruction manual?” Indeed, almost every parent can attest to this. Raising a child is not an easy task, especially during the years without the Internet. However, as 2019 unfolds, and technology and social media are becoming such a helpful tool for parents, perhaps we can agree that we can raise our kids the right way by learning from an instruction manual – by way of family blogs, articles, and testimonials.…

The life of a writer who is deeply invested in the craft revolves around it on a normal basis. You are eating, for instance, but you need a notepad ready in the event an idea comes to mind. You may be part of a life-changing conversation, yet you have to stop the other person mid-sentence because you don’t want to forget the words and emotions that you can use later for the literary piece. Worse, you take zero vacation and merely work 365 days a year.

Although your dedication is commendable, this kind of passion for writing is a bit too extreme and, frankly speaking, quite concerning. You can be creative without forgetting your social life. You can write amazing articles or books without letting it interfere with your daily activities. However, if you make your craft the focal point of your world – no matter how excellent you are at it – you may feel burnt out and stressed faster than anyone.

“Burnout is more than just feeling worn out, says psychologist Christina Maslach. “The condition has three components: overwhelming exhaustion, cynicism and detachment, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. People kind of switch to doing the bare minimum instead of doing their very best,” Maslach adds.

The ideal thing for you to do at the moment is to learn how to prioritize your mental wellness despite your busy writing schedule.

Be Physically Healthy

You ought to know that your physical health is important when you have a taxing job. It is not merely because having a frail body can keep you from fulfilling your role in the company or staying in front of the computer eight hours a day. In reality, that can affect your mental health too in a negative way. Thus, you should eat more organic foods and make time for fitness daily.

Karen Vaughn, LPC, writes, “Mental health and physical health are very closely connected. Mental health plays a major role in your ability to maintain good physical health. Mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, affect your ability to participate in healthy behaviors. This can result in problems with physical health, such as chronic diseases, and can decrease a person’s ability to participate in treatment and recovery.”

Connect With Amazing People

Do you notice how we did not simply suggest that you build a connection with people unless they are amazing? The reason is that that may give you an idea to try to communicate with anyone without thinking if they can be a great influence on you or not. When your mental wellness is already in jeopardy due to your busy schedule, you don’t deserve to deal with toxic individuals.

Know When To Unplug

No matter how invested you are in your writing job, there are undoubtedly ways for you to realize when to unplug. For instance, you have been staring at the computer screen for hours, but you have only managed to write two lines. Alternatively, while you may be able to create several paragraphs, you feel like it’s not your best work; that’s why you end up deleting everything. Instead of pushing yourself to write some more and inviting stress to take over, it may be better to step away from your station and merely go back when your creative flow returns.

Meditate

Moreover, considering you are honestly not the type to go out and mingle with people, you can find mental stability as well through meditation. The practice of searching for your inner balance and aligning your heart and mind to the center of the universe allows peace and contentment to wash over your stress and worries. Beyond external connection, after all, it matters to have an excellent relationship with yourself.

For Dana Anderson, LPC, meditation is “walking into the present moment with full awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and physicality.” She adds, “Through learning mindfulness techniques and meditation people can participate in their own healing process. It is extremely empowering and provides a path to deeper inner peace and well-being.”

Final Thoughts

Your mental wellness is as important as the deadlines that you need to meet at work. The more you take your psychological health for granted and only focus on the job, the more you unconsciously encourage depressive and anxious thoughts to poison your mind and cause you to develop a mental disorder. Remember that there’s no cure for most conditions like that, so your writing days can be more peaceful…

If you are an avid book reader, like me, this is a good avenue to start a blog. Blog on the books that you read and share your thoughts about the plot of the story, the characters and how they influenced you, the events that took place, and many other aspects of the book. The following are my suggested areas of discussions on how to write a book review though blogging. One note before we get into that… keep in mind that if you’re looking for self help books, keep in mind that in some instances speaking with a licensed professional might be the best course of action.…