Youth Incorporated Magazine

There are quite a few myths that surround those who are forever inclined to pen down their thoughts and make a profession out of it. Many people are so caught up with these myths that they fail to see the benefits writers have to offer not just to the world, but to themselves and to those who surround them. The psychological and social benefits of writing are aplenty. Whether you are an amateur at the art or a professional, writing is a crucial part of human evolution and understanding. By just indulging in the act of writing, you breathe life into part of human nature that no other creature has access to – a conscious.

When a person’s conscious comes to life, their view of the world changes making their thoughts independent, while staying open to the world around them. A mature writer has greater control over their conscious. Just because some independent thoughts of a writer break the barriers of pre-existing social ideals doesn’t mean that writers are mavericks or crazy. They merely present, with their words, a world where alternate ideologies and varied opinions are brought to life.

Let’s take a look at a few myths while exploring the psychological benefits of being a writer.

• Writers are bad at Human Interaction

This myth is busted the moment you set your eyes on journalists who have the expert knack to wheedle information from anyone. “What about those novel writers?” you may ask; but many journalists become authors of best-selling novels as well. In short, anyone can write. You don’t have to live in seclusion to be a good writer.

It is actually advisable for everyone to experiment with writing at least once. Writing brings clarity to thoughts and stimulates excessive reason, logic and a foresight of possibilities. Perhaps this is why some mature writers are not loquacious but stay observant.

• Writers have poor Family Lives

This is a pretty common myth that I hear. Truth be told, writing is not your standard nine-to-five job. Most writing domains require on the spot assignments based on trends and current events while other writers need to gratify their sudden urge to pen down a plot or write a story that has come as a result of sudden inspiration. However, these limitations do not attribute to poor family lives or a bad work-life balance. Just as in the case of any other professional, a writer may also take time to figure out the perfect way to balance work and family. A frustrating work-life balance is not the result of any profession, but is a result of inadequate planning, understanding or communication between family members.

On the flip side, writers are least likely to be dissatisfied with their profession as they are (usually) the boss of their own content and minds.

• Writers are prone to depression or Psychological disorders

Studies have shown a link between creativity and some form of psychological anomaly. “Aha!” one might think, “there you go. Writers are crazy!”But no, it is the number of times a writer has to defend his/her sanity that is truly insane.

However, there is nothing surprising about having a person who is struggling with psychological issues become a renowned writer. Writing is actually a way to deal with various psychological issues including depression. Those who suffer internal trauma often choose creative outlets to express their inner thoughts and make sense of the world through their eyes. In fact, it is writing that helps alleviate distress. Writing does not make one insane nor are all writers writing to free their distress.

Just as in the case of all humans and professionals, writers can’t be put in a box. Each writer is unique. If you want to truly understand any writer, ask them why they write.