So, Why Should I Actually Write It Down?

All throughout our teenage years, we spend the majority of our time trying to find ourselves, trying to create an identity. With the help of social media, this process has become quite easy and convenient, as everyone can find someone they can relate to. It might be some motivational influencer, some spiritual guru, or they might find themselves being attracted to the place that everyone initially goes to at this age, TED Talks. However, there are two sides of the same coin. As much as it has become easy for us to access the resources and find the best fit for us, at the end of the day it takes efforts and time to form an opinion on the overwhelming amount of information that these platforms have to offer.

That being said, I remember when I was in that phase. I saw almost all TED Talk speakers repeating the basic few principles, one of them being “write it down”. I have always stood out in terms of my writing, but I despised it. Because every time I wrote, it was for an assignment or for a project. The pressure was on. I wrote well, but it didn’t make me happy, it didn’t bring me enough joy for me to spend time to write when there was no deadline or assignment to submit. So, it got to the point where the moment any video mentioned this phrase, I would turn it off and move to the next one. For me, writing was a tedious task that I had no reason to commit to during my free time.

However, soon enough (by soon I mean years later), I realized there is a reason behind “writing it down”. A reason that I heard over and over again from a gazillion YouTube videos. But to me it was like playing a note in the wrong key, until now, when I adjusted the tunes, refocused, and found a whole new perspective.

Now, if someone asks, “Why should I write it down?”. Here is my response to them. You should write it down because you can refer back to it. Your thoughts are manifested into action through the act of writing. You can look back and see how stupid or how unrealistically smart you were. For example, as a socially awkward person, I am more relaxed while texting someone than having a face-to-face conversation. The reason being, after I write what I want to write, I can read it back, make amends, make my thoughts and words clear enough for the other person to understand, and then respond. In the same way, all those people tell you to write your dreams down so you can go back and make amends.

Furthermore, you are offering yourself with something tangible to work with, something that is basically a step-by-step guide for you to follow. Once you have something tangible, you subconsciously feel like the task is doable. It encourages you to take it or leave it before it’s too late. By writing it down, you use your own words to create a success manual for yourself. Then, all there is left to do is read it thoroughly, make the necessary changes, and finally use the manual to take off.

About the Author

Nitya Menghani is a twenty-year-old Gen Z, who has lived her whole life in Shenzhen, trying to navigate through the twists and turns of a young adult life as an expat in the city. She is an aspiring businesswoman eager to create an impact and is currently pursuing a business management degree. Other than that, she has also freelanced as a social media assistant manager, sales and customer service intern, and AI digital designer. Her writing is inspired by the complex thoughts and conversations that stem from the ordinary moments of life. She hopes that by writing them down, she can perhaps help herself and others navigate through them too.

Nitya can be contacted via WeChat on the following QR.