You are never too old to give poetry writing a try. Whether you are new to the practice or returning to it after a long hiatus, there is a lot you can get by turning poetry writing into a regular habit. Here are some of the reasons why you should give this ancient practice a try.

1 – Poetry is accessible

Of all the writing forms, poetry is among the most accessible. While scholars have determined various rules and guidelines for good poetry based on centuries of historic precedent, you don’t need to know any of it to get started. All you need is something to write it, and a feeling or idea you want to imprint into the page. You can study the theory later.

The brevity of most poems also helps make this an accessible art form. You can write a poem wherever you are, whenever you catch a break, be it on your phone during your commute, on the back of a napkin after you have your afternoon coffee. You are never truly too busy to write a poem.

2 – Writing helps you relax

Putting your thoughts and emotions into paper can be a great way to help you release some tension and relax. It might be just what you need when you are trying to deal with complicated emotions, or it can work as a brief escape from dreary days and the pressures of everyday life.

3 – Poems can be shared

There are, of course, many other ways to relax. But poetry — and writing in general — has the advantage of creating something tangible. A poem that you can keep to yourself or share. And sharing a particularly insightful poem can be a good way to communicate how you think and feel to the important people in your life.

Sharing your poetry can also have a positive impact on the lives of other people. After all, people react to art differently, and a verse you didn’t think much of may end up being exactly what someone else needed at that moment to have a brighter day. This is one of the reasons why artists like Dijon Bowden see poetry and art as something that can change the world for the better.

4 – Poems can capture emotions

Just like a picture can capture a moment in time, a poem can be used to capture a snapshot of your emotional state. It’s a good way to preserve feelings and emotions for the future, so you can remember how you felt on a given special occasion. Thanks to that, poems often work well as part of journals. Many great works of poetry originate from the personal journals of various writers.

5 – Learn to express yourself

One of the consequences of sitting down to write is that you are forced to translate thoughts and ideas into words. That’s a process that seems trivial but is not. Think back and you will probably remember many instances where you knew something was bothering you, but couldn’t quite put it into words. Or when you failed to communicate your thoughts and emotions properly when talking to someone.

Expressing yourself through poetry helps learn more about the art of expressing yourself. And knowing how to better translate thoughts and feelings into words can be handy in a wide range of situations, both in your professional and personal life. It can even help you better understand yourself.