Free-Writing: A Gentle Writing Exercise for the Weekend
- Anna Borowski
- May 16
- 2 min read
I'm a big fan of free-writing. It can really help us to listen inwards, bypass our inner critic and allow thoughts, feelings and symbols to come to the surface without judgement. It can open a channel to the unconscious where we can find insights and clues from our inner world that are asking to be seen and noted.
Free-writing isn't about fixing or analysing, it's about learning to trust what appears on the page and staying open to what arises.
To get started, all you need is paper, a pen and an open mind. You certainly don't need to be a writer to do this.
Creating a Peaceful Set-Up
You might like to take your ritual outside as I did. It was a warm, sunny day and I sat in my garden with a cold drink and the hum of bees collecting pollen from the flowers in the background.
For your set-up, you might like to use:
A candle or incense
Your favourite drink
Something symbolic like a flower, a crystal or a photo
Your favourite pen and some stickers or washi tape to decorate the page with
The Free-Writing Ritual
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Place your pen on the page and begin writing. Don't stop until the timer sounds. No crossing out. No correcting. Just keep the words flowing even if all you write is "I don't know what to write". The aim is to bypass your inner critic and make space for the quieter voice within you.
You don't need to pay attention to grammar and spelling or sentence structure. This is about release and expression.
Prompts to Start You Off
You can write completely freely or, if you need a starting point, you can try one of these prompts:
Right now I need...
A part of me that is asking to be heard is...
I'm holding on to...
I'd like to make space for...
After Your Writing
When the timer signals the end, pause. Notice how you feel. Do you want to keep going? Do you want to read back over it? Would you like to close the page and leave the words as they are?
If you read over it, you might like to highlight or underline any sentences that feel important or maybe you'd like to create some doodles around the page?
Remember your words do not have to make sense to anyone else. You're doing this for you. Let yourself write what wants to be written.
A Note About the Bees
As I sat with my journal today, I noticed a small bee on the cover and another etched on the side of my glass. The bees seems to pop up when I need them; a buzzing symbol of creativity, productivity and intuition. They remind us to pay attention to what nourishes us and to move gently but with purpose. So if you see a bee today, let it remind you that your words matter and you are part of something really quite beautiful.
Download your free 10 Minutes of Free-Writing creative prompt here.

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