I believe in the power of writing things down, or typing things out, whichever is your preference. There's something about seeing your thoughts laid out before your eyes that makes your brain feel lighter. Patterns can be identified and solutions may jump off the page. You can simply stop worrying about remembering it because it's captured elsewhere. Even non-writers can enjoy these feelings, because no one grades personal writing. There's no formula to follow, and no one else ever has to know it exists. It's simply for you. This article from Fast Company describes writing stuff down as a way to relax by "closing the loops".
Write Down What Sucks
One of the most powerful forms of writing I do for myself is the "stuff that sucks" list. I started doing it in 2015 when things were overwhelming. I hated my job didn't pay me enough, I felt out of sorts in every direction, and everything seemed hard. So I started writing a bulleted list which I simply titled "stuff that sucks!!!!"
Some of the stuff that sucked on my very first list ran the gamut of importance. From talking to a resume counselor, to never having enough clean plasticware to put my lunch in, I wrote it down.
Every so often, at least once a month, I came back and wrote another stuff that sucks list with zero regard for the previous lists. Once I was done, I'd go back to the other months and see what was resolved. Or if I had an idea to fix something that sucked, I'd make a note, or sometimes a detailed plan to fix whatever sucked. I didn't make the stuff that sucked list a chore or another thing that would suck. I just felt myself gravitating towards it when I needed to pour my brain out. It became therapy by typing.
The Power of Time
After a year, I noticed the stuff that sucked list was shrinking. In mid-2016 I got a new job with a real grown-up salary, and things just seemed a little less sucky. It wasn't just about the money, but in some ways it was. Of course, that job brought other hassles, like a long commute, so there's always a trade-off. There were still things on the list, but I went to it less. Over the years, as things sucked again in waves, I would go back to the list and it was like wrapping my mind in a warm blanket. It felt good to tell my list all of my woes without anyone offering advice, solutions, or their own similar tales.
I felt compelled to share this story of my stuff that sucks list because I once again feel the need to record a list in that format. Things have been strange for well over a year now, but the strangeness of being thrust back into the world is it's own level of suck. So out comes my list, and it's interesting to see how my past problems compare to my current ones. Not in a competitive way, but in the way that life changes over the years in ways you do not notice until it's in front of your eyes.
Action Item
Start your own list. I use a Google Drive document to capture mine, and make sure to date each new entry so you can keep your lists separate. Some people like to use the Notes app on their phones since they always have their phones on them. Others still prefer the old fashioned pen and paper route. If you do go this way, I recommend a bound journal to keep your thoughts in one place.
Write in your list as often as you want. If you have a hard time remembering, set a digital appointment to remind you once a week for a while. You'll either want to go to your list more often, or find yourself needing it less as you begin to see patterns and solutions come to life before your eyes. You'll eventually find that things do suck a lot less, in waves. Then things may get hard again, but this time you'll know just how to capture those feelings.
