When I first discovered Natalie Goldberg’s wisdom, it was like a door opening up to a whole new level of creative freedom. Her words, “The aim of writing practice is to burn through to first thoughts, to the place where energy is unobstructed by social politeness or the internal censor, to the place where you are writing what your mind actually sees and feels, not what it thinks it should see and feel,” resonated deeply with me.
My writing used to be held back by this annoying inner critic, always telling me my thoughts weren’t good enough and my feelings were too intense to express. This censor in my head always shut down my thoughts before they could see the light of day!
Social politeness made me feel like I had to conform instead of being myself.
Burning Through To First Thoughts
Goldberg’s approach to writing practice made me see things differently. It let me ignore all the barriers and just dive into my thoughts, writing without pauses or overthinking. The point of this practice is to capture my first thoughts, those raw, unfiltered glimpses of my inner world that often got lost in all the self-doubt and societal pressures.
Besides my Morning Pages and journaling, I’ve been trying to add Goldberg’s techniques to my daily routine. Each morning, I’m setting aside time for free writing. But unlike the Morning Pages, I’m writing on some specific topics – memories of my past. I just let the pen do its thing, my hand moving on its own. It was pure chaos and craziness at the start. Words just came pouring out, some making no sense, others really deep.
Turns out, I had this untapped source of creativity and emotions locked away.
The more I practice, the more I can access these first thoughts, these pure streams of consciousness that reveal what I truly saw and felt. I realized writing like this is so freeing. It lets me face my deepest fears, joys, and doubts without worrying about being judged.
So, one morning while I was writing, I started thinking about this childhood memory that I totally forgot about. Memories of a day filled with sun, laughter, and freedom flooded back to me, reminding me of the time I spent playing in my grandparents’ backyard. It was a genuine, unfiltered initial thought. Its simplicity made it profoundly moving.
I can see how Natalie Goldberg’s teachings are influencing my writing journey. Writing connects us with our authentic truths. I’m finding my unique voice that speaks from my experiences and emotions. I’m embracing vulnerability and authenticity in my writing and conversations.
As always, this is an ongoing exercise in growth.
If you’re stuck in your writing, try this practice. Let your thoughts flow freely, without judgment. Write based on your actual perceptions and emotions, not on what you believe you should perceive and feel. Your initial thoughts can be surprisingly powerful and clear.
Let me know how it goes?
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