Writing Mimesis:

Initially, when I first start writing without any interruption, I find my thoughts a bit scattered, and I struggle with clarity. This is because my mind is still trying to adjust to the topic, find the right words, and organize ideas.

However, when I take a break to copy a passage from a text I adore and find challenging, it works as a refreshing pause, temporarily diverting my focus from my own writing. This allows my mind to engage with high-quality writing, exposing me to new ideas, sentence structures, and vocabulary.

When I return to my writing prompt after this brief interlude, I notice a marked improvement in the quality of my thoughts and expression. The act of copying a well-crafted passage seems to prime my creative juices. My sentences become more eloquent, my ideas more coherent, and my vocabulary richer. It’s as if I have absorbed some of the literary skills from the text I have just transcribed.

In my reflection, I feel that exposing yourself to well-written text and copying it down to the finest details forces you to analyze it, developing a more advanced mindset that helps you write in a more sophisticated manner.

Writing following Hormesis/stress:

The first ten minutes of writing the prompt were spent brainstorming ideas and crafting sentences, but I could already feel mental fatigue creeping in. My thoughts were becoming disjointed, and my writing lacked the usual clarity and flow.

Then came the break for an intense workout and a refreshing cold shower. The physical exertion and the shock of cold water woke me up, boosting my senses. I returned to my writing desk feeling a bit motivated with a more clear mindset.

During the second ten-minute writing session, I noticed a stark difference in the quality of my thoughts and writing. The mental fog that had descended earlier had lifted. My ideas flowed more smoothly, and I was able to express myself with greater coherence and precision. The workout and cold shower had sharpened my focus.

However, it’s worth noting that, while I was writing I felt physical fatigue setting in. While my mental acuity improved immediately after the workout and shower, I found myself experiencing occasional moments of tiredness and blanking out. It seems that the initial burst of energy has given way to a bit of post-exercise exhaustion.

In my reflection, I am still better off than I was before the break, with my writing benefiting from the boost in mental clarity.