Thoughts on the Page: How to Write Honestly to Yourself

Often we image others reading what we write – whether it's friends, colleagues, or even anonymous readers. But there's another type of writing that is solely for yourself. This writing is not a social media post or an article being published, but something entirely personal, written at your eye level without censorship, without masks, and without the need to impress anyone.

Why Write to Ourselves?

A Tool for Personal Growth and Psychological Healing

When we write to ourselves, we allow a true space for our emotions and thoughts, without filters or the opinions of others. It's a space for us to express ourselves in the freest way, sharing our fears, hopes, aspirations, and sometimes even our deepest pain.

This type of writing grants us no need to hide anything, no concerns about how things are perceived or who will have access. It gives us the chance to get to know ourselves better, to understand what’s happening inside us, and to find the way to keep moving forward. This process of connecting internally strengthens us emotionally and helps us cope with whatever comes our way.

When we lay bare our emotions on the page, we are releasing them from the heart, making room for new things. It allows us to converse with ourselves honestly and directly, understand places of pain or anxiety, and sometimes find solutions or new perspectives we hadn’t considered before. In moments of frustration or confusion, writing becomes a refuge that lets us touch our innermost places, nurture ourselves, and grow. We don’t need to judge ourselves while writing, but simply release what's inside, and let the emotions guide us.

A Tool for Spiritual Progress

Writing to ourselves is an important tool not only for expressing emotions but also for working on our traits and personal development. When we write our thoughts and feelings, we can see more clearly the behaviors we want to improve, the traits we wish to correct, and reflect on how we conduct ourselves. By noticing how we've reacted in certain situations or on times that we've managed to control our negative traits, we can learn from our experiences and see how to improve and create positive change.

How Do We Start Writing?

1. Forget the Readers – There Aren't Any

When writing for others, there are expectations, but when writing for ourselves, there are no rules. There is no need to craft perfect sentences; you can abbreviate and scribble notes in the margins.

2. Use Your Private Language

Whether it’s slang you like, abbreviations you understand, or even small symbols and drawings that illustrate things for you – don’t try to write the way you were taught in school. If you like jotting down half a sentence and you know what you meant – go for it.

3. Don’t Edit Yourself

If a thought pops into your head, write it as it is. There's no need to rephrase, delete, or organize. Sometimes, what seems like disarray, best expresses what’s going on with you.

4. Write Fast – Before Your Mind Starts Censoring

Our mind is conditioned to edit as we write. Bypass this stage and write everything that comes out first, and only then take a look. If you start debating every word, you’ll lose authenticity.

5. Write in a Place Where There is Privacy

If you worry someone will find what you wrote, you won’t write freely. Choose a place where no one can accidentally find it: a hidden notebook, a password-protected file, or a private app that only you can access.

6. Allow Yourself to Be Completely Real

Writing for yourself is the only place where you don’t have to lie to yourself. If you're angry – write it. If you have fears – give them space. The goal isn’t to produce a "smart list" but to put your truth on the page just as it is.

7. Remember: It’s for You

One of the most liberating things is remembering that there’s no need to impress, justify, or persuade. It’s not going anywhere, it’s not for publication, and it doesn’t matter how it looks – it's all yours.

When you truly write for yourself, you may discover things about yourself you didn’t know before. Try it!