Writing to think
Lessons from Shane Parrish at Farnam Street blog
I recently came across an article by Shane Parrish called “Writing to Think”. It’s brilliant!
Writing, as it turns out, isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about shaping our thoughts and learning to think clearly.
Let me walk you through some of the ideas that stood out to me and why I think they matter.
Shane starts by sharing,
“The reason they teach writing to kids in school is: not to generate endless essays but to create a space to practice reasoning.”
This makes so much sense, doesn’t it?
Writing isn’t about hitting word counts or crafting a perfect essay. It’s about figuring things out.
Every time we write, we’re practicing how to think critically and logically. Think of it as a workout for your brain.
And like any workout, the more you do it, the stronger you get.
“Writing forces you to: slow down, focus your attention, and think deeply.”
In a world that’s always rushing, writing is like hitting the pause button. It slows everything down and gives you the space to really think.
For me, writing has been a way to clear the mental clutter and uncover insights I didn’t even know I had.
It’s such a simple act, but it’s powerful.
If you’ve been feeling scattered, try writing—even just a few sentences.
“Writing is the process by which you realize that you do not understand what you are talking about. Of course, you can learn a lot about something without writing about it. However, writing about something acts as a test to see how well you understand it.”
Have you ever thought you understood something until you tried to explain it?
That’s what writing does.
It’s like a spotlight that reveals where your understanding is solid and where it’s not. Every time I write about a tricky idea, I find myself learning even more about it.
It’s a humbling but rewarding process.
“Perhaps the best reason to write is that it offers a vehicle for discovering deeper insights. Writing forces you to take a complicated and ill-defined problem and compress it into something more manageable. This ‘compression’ is useful. Not only does it help you remember your ideas, but it helps you develop new ones.”
This one’s my favorite.
Writing takes the messy, complicated stuff in your head and turns it into something clear and actionable.
When I’m stuck on a problem, writing often brings solutions I hadn’t seen before. It’s like magic.
And the best part?
It’s a skill anyone can use.
Paul Graham puts it this way:
‘A good writer doesn’t just think, and then write down what he thought, as a sort of transcript. A good writer will almost always discover new things in the process of writing.’
Writing isn’t just recording thoughts; it’s creating them.
Every time I write, I discover ideas I didn’t know I had. It’s why I say: don’t wait until your thoughts feel “complete” to start writing.
Just start.
The process will take you places you didn’t expect.
“One of the ways we learn to think for ourselves is to write out our thoughts. When your invisible thoughts become visible, you are forced to wrestle with them in reality and not your imagination.”
This is so true.
Our minds can be a chaotic place, full of half-formed ideas. Writing brings those thoughts out into the open, where we can make sense of them.
For me, this practice has been transformative.
It’s helped me think more clearly and act with more confidence. If you ever feel stuck, try writing.
It’s like talking to yourself—only smarter.
So here’s the deal:
Writing isn’t just a skill; it’s a superpower.
It’s a tool for thinking, learning, and growing.
Whether it’s a journal entry, a quick note, or even a messy draft, just start writing.
I promise, your future self will thank you for it.