An American Author and historian, David McCullough quotes, “Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard”.
When composing an inspiring piece of work, it’s important to organize your thoughts and think clearly. Many people, however, struggle to clear their minds. Nevertheless, where there is a will, there is a way.
Below, we’ll discuss how you can clear your mind and achieve a sense of serenity to write thoughts that inspire.
Is A Clear Mind Necessary For Skilled Writers?
Most non-writers believe that writers can simply brush their thoughts on a piece of paper effortlessly, but even the most skilled writers have a hard time writing.
When Wordsworth defined poetry as a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”, he suggested that a poem originates from “emotion recollected in tranquility”.
While you might ‘overflow’ with feelings, to put them in words, you need ‘tranquility.’
In other words, a notable and remarkable poet like Wordsworth draws inspiration from a calm state of mind. Thus, it’s pretty obvious that writing anything requires a quiet setting and a clear mind.
Why Write With A Clear Mind?
A clear mind inspires excellent writing, while fuzzy writing reflects blurred thoughts.
It is crucial to note that ‘writing’ encompasses more than just the order of words and arrangement of sentences. A great writer is also an avid reader. He reads not only books but also people. To voice the opinion of people in writing, an author must be clear in his head.
Every writer knows how important it is to establish a relationship with his readers. If the author’s thoughts are not comprehensible, how will the reader understand what the author conveys?
A thin line separates what an author wants to convey and what the reader understands. If the writer’s thoughts are unclear, he will not express them clearly in his writing. As such, the readers will misinterpret his ideas.
Furthermore, a reader is always drawn to easy-to-understand work that expresses the author’s thoughts translucently. So, what is the point of writing if no one is interested in reading it?
But how do you get an organized mind that produces clear writing? Let’s discuss that.
What Are Some Ways To Get A Clear Mind?
If you are currently overwhelmed by your thoughts, allow them to flow. Putting off annoying thoughts just because you want to work on a piece of writing can make them worse.
Additionally, you can follow a few simple tips for a clear mind in your daily life.
Eat Healthily
We’re probably not new to the proverb, You are what you eat.
To clear your head of the unnecessary thoughts that plague you, eating a nutrient-rich diet should be your top priority. Here are a few foods that you can include in your diet to get rid of brain fog.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Vegetable consumption helps combat fatigue since they are packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Kale, spinach, and collard greens are chock full of vitamin C and iron. Iron and vitamin C play a crucial role in maintaining functions related to the brain.
Fish
Fish promotes brain health, thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids. The two omega-3 fatty acids include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). DHA is present inside the brain and supports various critical functions of the brain.
Thus, consuming fatty fish helps your brain stay healthy.
Walnuts
Have you ever observed walnuts closely? They resemble the shape of a brain and for the right reasons.
According to a research study, walnuts preserve brain health as we age.
Drink Clean
According to this study, dehydration was the leading cause of brain fog in a group of patients.
Hence, drinking plenty of water is also a crucial part of eating a healthy diet. Ideally, you would prefer to drink filtered water.
So, if you are conscious about the quality of water you drink, here are the best water filter pitchers and dispensers.
If you don’t like the taste of water, you can add lemon, honey, or fruit slices to it. It’s best to avoid canned beverages and processed juices.
Exercise
Regular exercise protects brain memory and improves thinking skills.
If you want to get a clear mind to pour out just the right thoughts, physical activity is a must. Don’t fret, though. Physical activity doesn’t necessarily include heavy exercises.
You can begin with simple exercises like
- Walking
- Jogging
- Swimming
- Rope climbing
- Cycling
Tidy Up
Experts say that it’s not good to work where you sleep since you may get sleepy. Similarly, writing in an unorganized office or bedroom can mess up your thoughts.
So, how will you write with a cloudy head?
Before you prepare yourself to write the first draft, check where you are going to work. Is the place around you clean? If so, you can continue.
Otherwise, organize everything. It won’t take more than 10 minutes most likely.
Besides, make sure you’re not writing while sitting with a group of people. Solitude is equally essential for excellent writing.
Finally
It’s imperative to clear your mind before communicating your thoughts in a piece of writing. People try different tactics to achieve concentration; what takes you to clear your mind?
Whatever it is, a few tips mentioned above will complement your efforts and increase your concentration span.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that even the greatest writers exert effort to bring their craft to life. I’d like to close off with the words of a German novelist Franz Kafka, “I need solitude for my writing; not like a hermit – that wouldn’t be enough – but like a dead man.”
A clear mind and calm state are achieved in solitude. Are you still of the opinion that great writing is effortless?