Hobby Hole: Writing poetry

Be it a life-changing dilemma or viewing a lovely sunset, writing poetry has the power to set you free.

In today’s time, we find ourselves surrounded with a lot of stimulation, especially as students who are aspiring to be the future generation. From catching up on notes from the last economics lecture to contemplating whether or not partying on Friday is a good idea, it can be a little overwhelming for our minds to get rid of such incessant thoughts. While it’s not always possible to talk to someone, writing down a few meaningless words is never a bad choice!

The idea is not to publish an excerpt worthy of challenging “The Daffodils” by William Wordsworth but to let go of a thought that has been on your mind for a considerable amount of time. Write it down, set yourself free, and be happy!

Here are three steps anyone can take to start putting their thoughts down in the form of short poems and poetry:

1. Calm down

Try not to think about anything for a second and take a deep breath. It’s alright! In moments of extreme stimulation or fear, our minds turn to fight or flight mode. We either tend to run away from the problem or fight it without any second thoughts. Try to figure out what it is that is making you overwhelmed. Maybe it is working two jobs while taking a full course load. Maybe it is hitting the gym twice a day without helping yourself with healthy, nutritious meals, or perhaps it is about a person you cannot stop thinking about. Whatever it is, find a place where you can give yourself a moment of silence and calm down.

2. Find something to write on

Once you have given yourself the chance to slow down, try to find somewhere to put your thoughts down. It can be a blank sheet of paper, maybe a notebook, the Notes app on your phone, or even your laptop (Word is perfect!). 

3. Let it all go!

Finally, start writing. You have now lightened your mood and it is the best time to let it all go. The end result of your work might be a sad poem or it can also be a cheerful rhyme. Whatever you write, translate your thoughts into a poem and make a few meaningless lines. Write freely and without any obligations. Play with words. Try and rhyme the lines. Make it fun. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be as silly as: 

“She is simple and sweet / A little shy without any greed / Dances on her own beats and worries incessantly”

This is an excerpt from one of my poems. I wrote this in a text reply to a close friend who was worrying about her assignments. I wanted to help her and was thinking about ways to support her. 

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In a student’s life full of assignments, work, and lots of drama, poetry can act as a medium to slow things down and take a moment to reflect before worrying about whether the next economics final will be curved or not.