The Art Of Brain Dumping

Bold and scribbled words with no excuses for grammatical mistakes fill the pages of my half-written journals. I sometimes leave one journal behind or can not find it, so I start another. I find a hidden notebook from 2010, but years later, I continue to scratch out non-sensical blurbs of thoughts, feelings, and untamed emotions.

Are you like me? Do you have hundreds of notebooks and journals that remind you of a half-witted teenager complaining about her overbearing mother? Do you find frantic, if not funny, excerpts of ranting among your past journals?

Welcome to the magical world of brain dumping. Believe it or not, I never knew this had a name. Someone in one of my art therapy groups referred to this as she held up her staple-free notebook.

I soon learned that brain dumping is slang for quickly writing down all your thoughts and ideas without any filter or organization. It’s a way to get all your ideas out of your head and onto paper or a digital document, so you can see them all in one place and start to make sense of them. Or not.

I suppose it’s the equivalent of “venting” but using the art of writing. I bet most of us on this site have done this for a while!

Journal this, journal that!

There are many approaches and goals of journaling (aka- brain dumping”). For me, I have an incessant need to “get it all out” without complaining to the world. (Ok, maybe my husband). As a therapist, I recommend keeping a journal for my clients/patients because it helps them have a safe and ready-to-go outlet for self-expression.

Another journal technique is scripting. This is a more formalized way to focus on your goals.

Some people enjoy recalling their day in a journal. Others may use it for inspiration and ideas. I use it for almost anything I must purge about!

Benefits of brain dumping

1. Many people find brain dumping to be a helpful way to clear their minds and reduce stress. This is especially true if you already are a writer, for sure. It works even better if I have some soft instrumental music on. If you can put yourself in a relaxed state and imagine the stress pouring out onto the pages, that is even better!
2. It can also be a valuable tool for brainstorming or problem-solving. You can write anything from absurd ideas to fully imagined dreams. All of it without judgment. Now, doesn’t that feel good? Sometimes, I look back, read those entries, and shake my head, “Yep, I remember that.”
3. Boost your creativity by writing a “story” of all your worries. Some of us may feel like we are in a rut creatively. Make yourself the character in your life and add fun twists to the tale.
4. Tell someone off! That’s “write.” I have done this, and let me tell you…. it works! Emotions run high with some family members. You want to scream and shake them up but know this will lead to more turmoil. Write them a letter in your journal-just make sure they don’t find it. Or you can write it in code!

Morning pages

A wonderful artist and creative named Julia Cameron wrote a superb book called The Artist’s Way. One of her strategies is to write each morning with the intention of uncensored flow. Morning pages are strictly stream-of-consciousness writing and are limited to three pages, preferably hand-written, without reading back what you’ve written. This kind of “brain dumping” is truly an uncensored way to let go of inner thoughts and feelings without anything stopping you from changing the words or content.

Managing anxiety

Writing can be a powerful tool for relieving anxiety. Putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper can help you process and make sense of them. Start by setting aside some time each day to write, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can write about anything on your mind, whether something specific is causing you stress or a general feeling of unease. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling — this is for your eyes only. Try to focus on the present moment and let your thoughts flow freely. You may feel a sense of release and calm after a few minutes of writing. Give it a try and see if it helps you manage your anxiety.

Final Thoughts

Brain dumping, morning pages, and general journaling are tools that got many of us to start writing beyond our notebooks. The creative process for me has always been an introspective endeavor. When distracted, we must clear the way for that creativity.

I hope you have enjoyed this piece, and if you have any comments, please share. I encourage you to subscribe for more creative insights!