With embodied writing, we maintain a connection with our physical body as we write.
My career “secret sauce” is the ability to express my thoughts on paper and the satisfaction I get from listening to my tiny electric shredder churn through page after page of writing. Let me explain.
I’ve had my fair share of awkward workplace and career moments. There was the time in my early 20s when I wore heels to work for the first time, and one of the heels got stuck in the wet grass. In front of my colleagues, my foot kept walking while my shoe stayed behind in the mud.
Then there was the time I decided to resign from my first “proper” job to go on a six-week European vacation with my family because management only approved four weeks of leave. What I didn’t know was that while I was busy planning my pastizz and pizza-eating in Europe, I was on the verge of a promotion I’d been waiting four years for. Oops. (Everything worked out okay in the end, even though my initial reaction was to go to McDonald’s and eat a caramel sundae in the empty parking lot.)
And let’s not forget the time I quit my somewhat secure job for what I thought was my “dream role.” Sadly, it was not. If nothing else, I mastered the art of clock-watching in that position. Let’s just say management was not impressed, and I left with a bang less than six months into that position.
So, where does all that leave me…?
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The Magic of Embodied Writing
I could recount dozens more horrifying moments (I’m 36 now, so I’ve collected quite a few stories). Whenever disaster (or what seems like a disaster) strikes, I consult my trusted journal.
Over the years, I’ve come to understand why a practice called “embodied writing” helps me digest even the stickiest life situations. My initial musings tend to be on the angrier, more exasperated side. However, as I continue writing, I feel my body softening and new ideas naturally presenting themselves on the page. It’s not that the situation changes; my perception of the situation changes as I write.
Many things have come and gone throughout my lifetime, but the one constant in my personal life, career, and business is writing. The ability to have a low-cost tool available 24/7 to express whatever I need at the moment is priceless. There’s no censorship or concern about who may stumble across my deepest, darkest thoughts, as I shred most of my “finest” work.
I get it. Writing is hardly a revolutionary idea. But think about it. How under-utilized is writing? Sure, most of us do our fair share of churning out emails, sending work proposals, and writing as needed to perform our jobs, but consider the untapped potential at our fingertips.
What Is Embodied Writing?
What I teach in my business goes deeper than journaling, which can often become an out-of-body experience resembling nothing more than a brain dump. (That’s why so many people struggle to maintain a regular journaling or diary-writing habit, even though they are aware of the benefits.)
With embodied writing, we maintain a connection with our physical body as we write. As words are expressed, we ask questions like, “What’s happening in my body?” “Do I notice an accelerated heartbeat?” “Are my palms sweaty?” “As I write, do I notice the tension naturally shifting in my body?” We’re all unique, and everyone’s experience is different.
Throughout my 20s and 30s, I’ve tracked the many ways embodied writing positively impacts my career and business. Here are a few of the most useful benefits, in my humble opinion.
The Career Benefits of Embodied Writing
1. It helps manage stress.
Most workplaces are deadline-driven, and that is certainly the case for a communications professional like myself. I’m often juggling multiple tasks and having to think ahead to what’s next. Writing about what’s going on and reflecting on certain situations removes the worries from my mind, giving those thoughts somewhere else to live (on a piece of paper that is, more often than not, shredded). Writing is like having a best friend who never gets sick of hearing about all your workplace, business, and life woes.
2. It reveals patterns in your life that you might not otherwise notice.
Things look different on paper, even the most challenging or painful situations. With daily writing, I tend to store my entries and review them at the end of the week. I look for patterns: What consistently energizes me? What consistently drains me? Where am I out of alignment with my values and where I see myself in the future?
I find it much easier to break life down into digestible chunks rather than writing sporadically and asking myself the overwhelming “big life questions.”
At the end of the day, when our heads hit the pillow, we’re left with the remnants of whatever mental gymnastics are playing out in our minds. We can’t change anything in life until we become aware of it. It can be tough at times, but embodied writing allows you to examine the areas of your life you might not want to contemplate and then make the necessary changes.
3. It aids you in making important decisions.
We all have to make tough decisions from time to time. We all experience crossroads in life — the big moments when we have to choose one path or opt to embark on something else.
Whenever I am torn about a decision, I make a list of pros and cons. If I’m leaning toward the scarier option, I ask myself, “What’s the worst-case scenario?”
Seeing things on paper often changes everything. As author Michael A. Singer says, “You are not your thoughts; you are aware of your thoughts.” Writing helps us make the distinction between our endless thoughts and our inner observer much clearer, even if just a little bit.
Do you ever struggle to know what to say?
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4. It helps you consider different viewpoints.
The most successful businesses are typically those where people have differing perspectives and communication styles. Inevitably, this can lead to conflict, which can only be resolved by having solutions-focused conversations.
Embodied writing has always helped me consider different viewpoints and other people’s thoughts from alternative angles. Additionally, it definitely helps to script out some words when entering into what you anticipate may be a difficult discussion. Introverts are also typically better at communicating in writing because it allows us to take a more considered approach.
(If you’re an extroverted manager or colleague reading this, be open to adjusting your communication style where appropriate. And if you’re an introvert, be willing to let people know your communication preferences. Remember, it’s okay — and important—to ask for what you need to thrive!)
5. It’s essential for processing and providing feedback.
Have you ever been in a meeting where a colleague says something off-the-cuff about your work that feels like a punch to the gut? I have.
Constructive criticism and feedback help us grow and evolve, but it can be tough to both give and receive. I find it helpful to reflect on any comments that hit a little too close to home by writing them down. I see what is beneficial and leave whatever isn’t.
On the other hand, providing helpful feedback is an art. Before giving feedback, I write “be compassionate” on a sticky note and double-check what I am trying to achieve before opening my mouth.
6. It solves tricky problems.
There is something magical about combining journaling and walking. I’ve experienced several instances where I find myself going around in circles with particular issues. I’ll write something out, consider all angles, and then go on a quick walk (15 minutes does the trick) to let my thoughts rest.
Case in point, I can’t tell you how many times a game-changing idea will pop into my head during a walk. When I return, I go back to my writing, and the thoughts flow effortlessly. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is release the pressure and see what answer presents itself.
7. It helps you be more productive.
We all have the same number of hours in a day, but have you noticed how some people always seem to have more minutes in their 24 hours than anyone else?
When you journal and track how much time you’re spending on certain tasks and activities, you can review your list and assess whether they are worth your time or not. Sometimes, it’s far better to outsource or delegate tasks that take up time than to persist with something an expert could do with ease and in far less time.
A good example is bookkeeping for my business; there’s a reason I am a writer! If there’s one thing none of us can buy more of, regardless of how wealthy we are, it’s time — and writing can help you increase your productivity and efficiency.
How to Get Started
I could rave about how amazing embodied writing is until I’m retired, but like most things in life, the real power lies in lived experience. If you’re new to it and want to try it out, start small. I suggest 5 to 10 minutes daily because that’s achievable for most people. When you write doesn’t matter — before work, during your lunch break, between meetings, after work, before bed. Writing should accommodate your lifestyle, not vice versa. Here are a few writing prompts to get you started:
- What on my to-do list can wait until tomorrow?
- What is within my control, and what isn’t?
- What have I done today that is a step toward one of my short-term goals?
- What have I done today that is a step toward one of my long-term goals?
- Will this matter in a day, a month, or a year?
Interested in writing for healing, and general health and well-being? Learn more about my Storytelling for the Soul membership here or watch my free embodied writing for healing training here. 
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