What do you think?
Rate this book
The Joy of Writing Things Down: The Everyday Zen of Putting Pen to Paper
'A treasure trove of uplifting and accessible practices, to organise your mind and give shape to your day.' Suzy Reading, author of The Little Book of Self-Care
'Easy to read, deeply inspiring and oh so wise, it was the perfect antidote to my in-box overwhelm.' Susannah Conway, author of This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart
---
Whether it's a speedy note-to-self, a simple shopping list or a carefully penned thank-you note, putting words on paper is a daily habit - and can also bring us great joy and calm.
In this book you'll discover practical ways to turn the ordinary ritual of jotting things down into a remarkable source of peace, focus and confidence. Learn to take pleasure in your correspondence, find fresh delight in your diary writing and put renewed heart in your humble to-do list.
Dr Megan C Hayes has spent her academic career exploring the links between writing, identity and happiness - and she is on a mission to encourage us all to pick up a pen and reap the wellbeing benefits in writing.
'Easy to read, deeply inspiring and oh so wise, it was the perfect antidote to my in-box overwhelm.' Susannah Conway, author of This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart
---
Whether it's a speedy note-to-self, a simple shopping list or a carefully penned thank-you note, putting words on paper is a daily habit - and can also bring us great joy and calm.
In this book you'll discover practical ways to turn the ordinary ritual of jotting things down into a remarkable source of peace, focus and confidence. Learn to take pleasure in your correspondence, find fresh delight in your diary writing and put renewed heart in your humble to-do list.
Dr Megan C Hayes has spent her academic career exploring the links between writing, identity and happiness - and she is on a mission to encourage us all to pick up a pen and reap the wellbeing benefits in writing.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
10 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 18, 2022
This book should have been called, "I bought an awesome notebook - now what do I do with it?" And if this is indeed your question, then this is the book for you!
I was hoping this would be more about then Zen and less about the List of What to Write. It had small glimmers of what I was looking for, but this wasn't the book for me. If you are buying a journal for a friend for their birthday, and they don't already journal, I recommend this simple, quick-to-read book as inspiration and motivation to start writing:
*Lists
*Correspondence
*Notes to Self
*Journals & Diaries
*Goals & Plans
I was hoping this would be more about then Zen and less about the List of What to Write. It had small glimmers of what I was looking for, but this wasn't the book for me. If you are buying a journal for a friend for their birthday, and they don't already journal, I recommend this simple, quick-to-read book as inspiration and motivation to start writing:
*Lists
*Correspondence
*Notes to Self
*Journals & Diaries
*Goals & Plans
February 2, 2025
A darling book! I read it in small spurts and was encouraged along the way. I don’t write as much as I want to, but this book enriches the intention & experience of writing.
January 7, 2023
Perfect first book of a new year! So many journaling ideas and studies on why journaling is such a great tool. Even though I already know alot of methods and have been writing for years- this book provided alot of new inspiration.
July 17, 2023
I really enjoyed the practical suggestions the book gave to infuse everyday writing with joy. From to-do lists to emails and instant messages, to letters, and different types of journaling, you’ll find inspiration for any type of writing you do.
September 24, 2021
After hearing about this book through Susannah Conway's Book Journal Love Online Course I had to have this book by Megan Hayes. I plan to return again and again to this one for new prompts, new ways of writing and being kinder to myself on the rougher days. I plan to pick up a few more of her books, Stay Tuned!
November 12, 2023
A good summary of the different ways to write things down.
According to Hayes, journaling = psychology + Zen Buddhism
With loads of lovely ideas for writing, journaling, and just plain putting pen to paper.
3.5 stars rounded up.
According to Hayes, journaling = psychology + Zen Buddhism
With loads of lovely ideas for writing, journaling, and just plain putting pen to paper.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews