I would say this frequently to my parents in my teen years. 

My teen brain followed the simple logic: If it has nothing to do with studies or academics or if it is not assigned as homework, why in the world should I even bother to write it down? Why? And is not the whole idea of cramming up the details of Renaissance and Reformation; of displacement reactions (bleh) and all the sins, cos’s, and tans of the world; of the human reproductive system; of the real and virtual images caused by mirrors and let me not begin with Shakespeare and all those paryayvachi words – enough as practice in writing?!

No? Really?? Mom and Dad, you are delusional I tell you!

My parents would just resign in helplessness and feel satisfied that I was at least putting pen to paper for my studies. 

After a few years, in an independent incident, when I had my first crush and was petrified to tell my folks – I chose to use my pocket money which was a mere 15 bucks at that time (yes ‘ONLY’ 15 bucks for the month. Stop the gasps please. It was around 1994) to buy a journal. It was a pretty journal, that had a brass-coloured lock. It had a beautiful pink butterfly with mauve-colored wings with a little gold dust sprayed over it. It was so pretty! Oh! The dreams I wrote in that journal, of cute scenarios I would picture myself in with my crush. Pictures of how we would hold hands and walk together around the jogging track while discussing our favorite MTV video and the latest song that played on it. How we would go to MG Road Pune and share an ice cream. How we would celebrate Valentine’s Day and give each other roses and let the whole class know that we were meant for each other forever and ever.  And then how one day we would get married!! Hahaha, looking back at these memories makes me smile with love at my young self. 

One day my mom found this journal, and after a forced scolding she made me sit down and understand the similarity between what I was already doing and what she had been suggesting all along. She showed me how the habit of writing had helped me imagine scenarios albeit with a boy – something she did not approve of. 

Nevertheless, it involved the practice of writing. 

Writing – a practice that allows you to put your thoughts to paper. In doing so, you think before writing to make sense of what you are writing. This allows for your thoughts to line up and take up time and space in your head before spilling out on paper. 

When my mom made me understand the concept of writing in this way, it hit home! I have lost count of the number of journals and diaries I have filled up in my four-plus decades on this planet. Today I do not waste my time on thinking too much, I choose to write it down and park it for some time. By evening, the issue that made me write about it in the first place, sorts itself out. 

Here’s how writing can help you too:

1. List your tasks: Forgetting assignments? Never again! Write them down, and you’ll always know what’s next.
2. Get ahead on your college application essay: Start small—write 50 words a day. It won’t seem so big when the time comes.
3. Vent and relieve stress: Sometimes, you just need to get things off your chest. Writing can help you vent without stressing about talking to someone.
4. Plan your goals: Write down your goals and break them into smaller steps. It’s easier to work towards them when you can see a clear path.

Of course, writing can mean a hundred things to a hundred different people. What it means to you; you will only know when you put pen to paper. 

Maybe it means creative writing for you. Maybe you write to create stories or poetry. Even for that, you will have to write tons of stuff to arrive at your final draft, which again will get revised so many times right?

What if you are the kind that writes only for yourself? If that is the case, you’ll see how just by writing regularly, you will discover so much about yourself through the years. Your writing will show you how you have evolved over the years. You will see patterns that keep repeating and things that you want to retain, and others that you need to let go. 

Even if you’re not into writing, give it a shot for a week! It can help you understand your thoughts and feelings—both the ones you share and the ones you keep to yourself. When you read it later, you’ll see how it clears your mind and might even help solve your problems. 

In my experience, writing just like exercising has proved to be one of the most powerful practices. Years pass and I look back at the progress I have made over the years to become so much better at so many things. It could not have been possible without data. This data for personal evolution lies in documenting your thoughts through writing regularly as a practice. 

I would urge all of you youngsters to begin early. Habits formed earlier on in life allow for space to do larger and bigger things in life! 

Kanika Kush, TeenBook’s Parent Expert, offers teens a fun and relatable glimpse into the parent perspective, helping us understand what’s going on in their parents’ minds as they navigate the teen years together. Check out her YouTube  page here. 

Editor’s Note: Say hello to our new column on TeenBook, where we flip the script and give parents the mic! While TeenBook is all about helping Indian teens figure out life, this space is for parents to spill the tea, share their insights, and offer advice as they try to keep up with their teens and survive the wild ride of adolescence. It’s the parent POV you didn’t know you needed!