You Are Not Alone
How 750 Words works a bit like therapy for me
Disclosure: The creator of 750Words is an advisor to Better Humans and a frequent contributor. He was not involved in writing or selecting this article.
My plan for August was to publish on Medium every day. So as part of that, I thought I would catch two birds with one stone and take part in the August 750 Words challenge. I would write 750 words and morph them into a Medium piece. Easy. Done. Bahahahahahaha (yep, three days in and I’m finding that thought hilarious — ah the beauty of what we don’t know when we start).s.
As part of my plan, I decided I would switch over the the fabbo new version of 750words.com — you know, start as you mean to go on and all that.
I hadn’t been a big user previously, I was actually reminded that I had a account by taking part in a Coach.me challenge — where I found well over 20K words already written that might be put to better use than left, unloved, to go mouldy and sad.
As I rediscovered, the premise of 750 Words is that you blurt out all your inner angst onto paper (the screen) each day, leaving you free to go on with your day. It doesn’t take long — only about 15–30 mins and you just dump onto the page — exactly as you would in a paper journal (except that my hand doesn’t write since the accident, except verrrrry slooooowly and carefully — kill me now!). But I’d signed up and well, I like ticking off my goals.
A revelation — new features of the reworked app
The truly amazing thing about the new version though, is that not only do you get a place to park your mind crap for the day, but 750 Words’s algorithm now tells you a lot about your writing (and yourself).
On Monday/Tuesday I was angry and sad (see image above). To have that reflected back at me, was oddly comforting in that I was at a juncture in life where I was feeling truly lost and now, I felt like I had a fellow traveller for the road; a friend alongside. Suddenly, although I was travelling my scary treacherous life path, I was no longer alone. Big breath out.
The new version also reflects what you’re mostly thinking about — is it work, improvement, family, money, health, play, etc, and what your mindset was whilst writing. For example today, I was introverted, uncertain, positive (hooray!), and feeling (rather than thinking — like the previous two angry sad days). The new app will also highlight what your time orientation is — past, present or future, what primary sense you’re using — for me this morning it was touch (it was about feelings remember) where as previously when I’m stuck in my head it’s been about sight. And then there’s a reference to the piece’s relationship to people. Is it just talking about you (as in I) or us/we, you (known others) or they (people in general).
Plus there’s the fun word cloud at the bottom just for extra awesomeness.
And I discovered that if you hashtag something, it too will show up as a kind of highlight, complete with the content it’s been used in. It surprised me at first, but I can think of a number of ways that will be useful into the future.
A lot of people don’t re-read their morning pages, once it’s out, it’s done, maybe that’s you. And if so, the new features might not be too exciting for you.
However, for me, it’s rather changed my day. It’s the first thing I do to start my day (following a quick 10 min meditation). And I’ve put it on my habits goals list to complete daily. The $5 monthly contribution (or $50US for annual) is motivating enough to get my fingers to the keyboard too. (If you sign up for the new version of 750words as a beta tester, there’s a 20% discount — but make sure you’re on the new version.)
The takeaway?
Suddenly 750 Words isn’t just a Julia Cameron-esque morning words writing/brain-purging tool for me anymore, it’s more like good therapy or a friend quietly listening intently, then reflecting back to me what I said. That has been a truly powerful thing.
Oh, and as an extra bonus, I’ve found that somewhere in all the angst there’s usually a new medium story hiding, waiting for further reveal.
I really appreciate you reading my work. I’d love it if you clapped it too. It lets more people see it — maybe even someone who desperately needs it to get their life back on track.
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