The 15-Min Brain Dump Writing Technique
September always seems a time for new starts – a new season, children going back to school and Summer most definitely over. But a new start can also bring new challenges. You may have spent the Summer enjoying the holidays, maybe taking some time out from the hustle and bustle to recharge those batteries, then suddenly Autumn appears and we have to get all those eggs in one basket again. Our mental health can suffer, especially if organisation is not a strong point.
A great way to start organising your life, and your thoughts, ideas, tasks and to do lists is by utilising the idea of the 15 minute brain dump. If, like me, you still work best with lists and the tangible feel of pen and paper, then this is the ideal way to make some sense of all that you have to do, but getting it all in one place. You simply take some time out (the suggested 15 minutes) to get all your lists and ideas out of your head and onto paper. The idea is that this then declutters our thoughts and reset our habits, hopefully helping us to achieve a more balanced life.
Pen Heaven, the online gift emporium, have set out some ways to help you achieve the triumphant and productive ‘brain dump’ that will actually help you transform your life. Pen Heaven is the perfect destination to pick up the tools for your brain dump, from beautiful leather bound notepads that can be personalised with your initials, to elegant fountain pens that bring back the art of the written word.
Pen Heaven’s tips for the perfect brain dump session:-
- Find a quiet and distraction-free environment: Choose a serene spot where you can comfortably focus without interruptions. This could be a cozy corner in your home or a favourite local café.
- Set aside dedicated time regularly: Allocate a specific period, be it 10 minutes or half an hour, solely for the purpose of Brain Dumping. Make it a non-negotiable commitment to yourself and remember consistency is key to maintaining a fresh and organised mind.
- Gather your tools and embrace creativity: Have a notebook, journal, and pen(s) readily available. The choice of medium is entirely personal—select whatever works best for you. Feel free to sketch, draw, or use colours if that helps you express your thoughts better.
- Write freely and without judgment: Let your thoughts flow naturally onto the page. Don’t worry about coherence or structure at this stage. Just let it all out without self-censorship.
- Organise and categorise: Once your thoughts are captured, review and group them into different categories such as work, personal, health, or relationships. This will help bring clarity and identify areas that require immediate attention.
- Prioritise and action: With your thoughts now organised, identify the top three tasks in each category that will significantly impact your overall well-being. Create a plan of action to address these tasks and set achievable goals.
- Practice self-compassion: Remember, perfection is not the goal. Embrace the imperfections and give yourself grace as you navigate through this process.
Beautiful Tools for the perfect brain dump session
Writing for a Better State of Mind