Why Write?

Do you know why writing was invented in the first place? If yes, hold that thought. If no, also hold that thought. I’ll answer it here because understanding its origins helps us see why we should all write more.

There are two main reasons why I believe everyone should write. These reasons are interconnected but also distinct, often serving different purposes.

1. Writing Helps You Remember

We are all creative and inquisitive in our own ways. Throughout the day, we generate countless thoughts, ideas, questions, and realizations—but life moves fast, and we forget. Even our dreams slip away if we don’t capture them. You’ve probably had a great idea, only to forget it hours later. Maybe you planned a productive evening, but by the time you got home, you only completed two out of five tasks because you simply forgot the rest.

Life happens, and it happens fast. Every day, a million thoughts cross your mind. You’ll hear something insightful in a conversation, get inspired by a moment, or come up with an idea worth exploring—but if you don’t write it down, there’s a good chance it will slip away. Think about all the times you’ve gone to the store knowing exactly what you needed, only to return home and realize you forgot something important. A simple list could have prevented that.

Or consider when a friend says something profound. You tell yourself you’ll remember it, but the next day, when you try to share it with someone else, the exact words escape you. Had you written it down, even if you didn’t reference it directly, the act of writing might have helped reinforce it in your memory.

2. Writing Clears Your Mind

Let’s get a little nerdy for a second. Think of your brain like a computer or smartphone. The best devices process a lot of information quickly, but they need sufficient memory and storage. Over time, as you save photos, music, and documents, your device slows down. Eventually, you either delete unnecessary files or move them to external storage or the cloud so your device can run smoothly again.

Now, apply that same logic to your brain. Writing is your external storage. It allows you to offload thoughts, ideas, and plans so your mental “processor” can function at its best. When you write things down, you’re not only preserving information—you’re also making space for new ideas to emerge. Instead of constantly trying to remember old ideas while generating new ones, your brain can work more efficiently.

Writing also helps refine your thoughts. When you put an idea on paper, you can see potential flaws, improve your approach, and build on it more effectively. It transforms abstract thoughts into tangible plans, giving you a clearer vision of what’s possible.

The Purpose of Writing: Then and Now

To answer the trivia question from the beginning—writing was invented for this very reason. Thousands of years ago, humans realized they couldn’t rely on memory alone to keep track of everything—debts, events, important knowledge—so they created writing as a way to store information. Of course, the reasons for writing evolved over time, but at its core, it has always been about capturing knowledge and making life more efficient.

Conclusion

Write often. Whether it’s with pen and paper or your phone’s Notes app, make writing a habit. It helps you remember, it helps you think, and it helps you grow. You’d be surprised how much of a difference it can make.