How does writing impact your personal development?
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From the first inscriptions on clay tablets in 3000 BC to the blogs and online articles we know today, the act of writing has come a long way! The change has taken place both in form and in function. Initially, it was a utilitarian invention intended to keep track of who owed what to whom. The idea of using writing to transmit stories, knowledge, or emotions was unimaginable, even unnecessary. But once alphabets came into play, everything changed. Today, learning to read and write has become a marker of education as well as a tool for emancipation, opening the doors to philosophy, science, history, and literature. More than just a means of communication or a record of collective memory, it is a central element of the learning process. Through this article, we will examine how writing can boost your well-being and help you grow. So, pens at the ready—let’s go!
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Writing and how it is perceived
Before discussing the impact of writing on individual development, let us look at what we may think about it.
Writing is time-consuming.
The emergence of voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, among others, and the use of voice recognition features seem to point to a latent need to save time—a need that writing does not always meet. Is writing more time-consuming than speech? Quite possibly! It does indeed require dedicating more time than speaking, yet we still very often choose this mode of communication. So what drives us to put our ideas down on paper or send texts and emails when a simple call or glance might be enough?
Writing requires effort.
Writing requires meticulous organization of thoughts, planning the message as a whole, and special attention to the recipient’s needs and expectations. In short, it mobilizes several complex skills simultaneously, making writing a demanding mental exercise. But this perception of writing as effort has not always been the norm. In Antiquity, for example, the act of writing was often associated with a failing memory or a lack of cognitive abilities, as Aude Guéneau, founder of the writing app Plume, intended for children and which we will discuss in more detail later in the article, pointed out to us.
Writing means hiding.
In this respect, writing has the particularity of offering a protective veil to its author. Indeed, it can give them the courage to say what they would not dare to say face-to-face. It can actually serve as a refuge, a space where they can express their thoughts and emotions without the immediate judgment that direct interaction might bring.
Writing means revealing oneself.
Paradoxically, the act of writing can also be associated with an act of openness—a window into the soul, to put it more poetically. Every word chosen, every sentence crafted, every idea shared represents a part of ourselves that we allow to be seen.
The benefits of writing
If writing is at once an expenditure of time, an exercise in reflection, a veil behind which to hide, but also a way of revealing oneself, what encourages us to pick up a pen, type on a keyboard, and devote precious minutes of our lives to this act? Why an interest in writing? This is what we will explore through the advantages writing can bring to individual development.
Learning better
Writing is, first and foremost, an exceptional educational tool. It is no coincidence that in primary, secondary, and higher education, pupils and students are invited to take notes from their lessons on paper or devices. Writing is said to improve information retention and facilitate understanding of complex concepts. By putting ideas into words, we integrate concepts more durably into our memory. When we interviewed Aude Guéneau, founder of Plume, she highlighted the epistemic dimension of writing—that is, its capacity to help us learn—which is especially present in children. But in writing, it is important to distinguish handwriting on paper from writing on devices. One of Mueller and Oppenheimer’s studies, published in 2014, compared information retention when students took notes on a computer versus by hand. They concluded that students who took notes by hand had better information retention and a better understanding of concepts, even though taking notes by hand was slower.
Organizing your ideas
Whether for a professional project or a personal decision, writing helps organize thoughts in a logical and coherent way. Drafting an outline, for example, can help establish priorities and identify concrete steps to reach a goal. Moreover, writing has the advantage of being able to be associated with symbols, drawings, or diagrams. Mind Mapping—these mental maps that visually represent ideas—are perfect examples showing that writing contributes to organizing one’s ideas.
Taking a step back
Writing is an opportunity to reflect and gain perspective on life situations. Indeed, committing one’s thoughts to paper forces the individual to slow down, assess circumstances, and see the world from another angle. Imagine an argument with a friend: rather than reacting in the heat of the moment, writing a letter to express what one thinks and feels (which one is free to send or not) can allow its author to analyze events and emotions clearly. Here, writing offers a pause, time to formulate thoughts, to shed light on solutions that immediate agitation had obscured.
Developing creativity
When we write, we explore unexpected territories of imagination. Writing broadens our ideas, nourishes them, and makes us more inventive. Think of the times when you write about a specific topic and suddenly you are struck by one idea—or several—that arise and are not necessarily related to what you are writing.
Releasing emotions
Finally, writing can serve as catharsis. We think of diaries, poetry, or even simply writing a letter that is never sent. Putting words to deeply rooted emotions or ideas can be liberating for the individual and bring a sense of relief. Writing, particularly about traumatic or difficult experiences, can be an effective way to bring a certain calm and even contribute to the healing process. Some methods, such as expressive writing, are even used in psychotherapy to help resolve emotional problems.
Developing the pleasure of writing
Beyond the benefits mentioned above, writing can prove to be a source of pleasure and personal satisfaction. The question is how to move from the stage where writing is a necessity to the stage where it becomes a true pleasure. We are sharing methods to cultivate a taste for writing.
By reading
Reading is a first step toward loving writing. It helps improve concentration, develop a broader vocabulary, nourish imagination, strengthen empathy, and expand understanding of the world. And to some extent, it can make you want to be on the other side and write in turn!
By choosing a theme and a form you like
It is easier to develop a desire to write when dealing with subjects we are passionate about. Think of cover letters. When we genuinely like the position, it shows in our writing. We are more precise, more sincere, more original, and we do not even notice the time passing. We are actually experiencing Fraisse’s law: it argues that because we take pleasure in carrying out a task, time seems to stand still. While we think two minutes have passed, in reality thirty minutes have gone by. So if you want to start writing long-form content, begin with a subject you love. Beyond choosing a theme you enjoy, the form should suit you as well. There is a multitude of styles and genres. Some will prefer the diary format, others the shorter format of social media posts, and others still the musicality of sentences in poetry. What matters is not so much the length or the image conveyed by writing forms, but the satisfaction they can bring you.
By staying yourself
Authors can inspire you and help you begin your writing project. Of course, this is not about copying them but about finding the writing style that suits you. In the same way that everyone has their personality, everyone has their own writing style, their editorial line. Think of the messages you receive from your loved ones. Because you know them very well, you would be perfectly capable of recognizing the sender even if their name were hidden. Speech habits are reflected in our writing.
By starting with short pieces of writing
If the idea of writing long content feels too intimidating, why not start with shorter stories? The Kaizen method, which promotes continuous improvement through small steps, can be an excellent way to get started. To write a 300-page novel, you first have to begin with one page!
By encouraging rather than penalizing mistakes
Pointing out spelling, grammar, conjugation, or syntax mistakes is in principle done with a benevolent intent to improve, but it can generate anxiety in the recipient and ultimately make them no longer want to write. What a shame that the fear of making mistakes and being penalized can discourage people. Above all, we should encourage those embarking on a writing project, congratulate them on their ideas, and separate form from content.
By forgetting self-censorship
Very good writers (whether they know it or not) may censor their own ideas and limit their writing out of fear of others’ judgment. “What I think does not represent public opinion,” “What I think is not politically correct.” Self-censorship still hinders too many aspiring writers whose ideas deserve to be known.
By offering writing workshops
To develop a taste for writing, there are also specific programs that can guide you through writing processes. The Plume writing app, for example, designed for children aged 7 to 14, invites younger users to create their own stories through a structured and interactive framework. The pride of sharing their creation with family, friends, or teachers boosts them in their writing project and makes writing an enjoyable activity for them.
By interacting with people who love writing
Talking with people who have stars in their eyes when they speak to you about writing could be contagious and give you a taste for writing. Indeed, these inspiring individuals can share valuable insights about their creative process, their successes and failures, and make you realize that, in the end, you too are capable of writing.
By developing the pleasure of writing from childhood
Instilling a love of writing from a very young age can have positive effects throughout life. Habits formed early are often the ones that last.
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If writing is a means of communication and an aid to collective memory, it is also a lever for our personal development. Despite the time constraints and cognitive effort it may require, it offers tangible benefits ranging from memorization to emotional release. More than an art or a skill, it is a tool for emancipation and well-being. In Seven training courses, for example, writing time is deliberately set aside for participants so they can put their ideas on paper, memorize what they have just learned, clear their minds, play with their imagination, or put words to what they are experiencing. The most beautiful part of all this? Writing is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, level of education, or profession. There is no exclusive entry point and no selective criteria. You simply have to pick up a pen or keyboard and let your thoughts flow.
