As the finest creation of the Creator, there is one remarkable gift that humans often overlook: intuition and the ability to think. Human beings are endowed with far more than just a physical body. In fact, according to various health studies, the human brain contains a structure known as the cerebrum, surrounded by approximately 86 billion interconnected neurons. These neural networks enable us to think, learn, remember, create, and regulate emotions in our daily lives, supporting both our intellectual and emotional capacities.

Every second, we continuously build thoughts, awareness, and new memories that ultimately give rise to consciousness, reason, and wisdom. Through this process, we discover ourselves and develop an understanding of how the world operates.

Although human memory is remarkably powerful, the growing presence of technological distractions and the increasing demands of modern life often require us to perform multiple tasks within limited periods of time. As a result, some of the information we once absorbed may gradually fade away, replaced by new streams of incoming information.

We certainly recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) can simplify many tasks—even to the point of reading our emails for us each day. Yet one important aspect is often overlooked: the creating process is the fun part. Therefore, while we are given the opportunity to read (iqra) and explore the world, we must also document it through various forms of creation, one of which is writing.

A study conducted by psychologist James Pennebaker and published by the American Psychological Association in 2014 found that writing—particularly expressive writing—can enhance personal well-being, reduce stress, and open new emotional experiences for both writers and readers.

This occurs because when we write, our brains are naturally compelled to organize narratives that align with our emotional intensity. In doing so, writing fosters self-understanding, which serves as the first step toward understanding the world around us. Narrative is the mechanism through which humans make sense of themselves and create collective identities capable of inspiring change.

Another valuable dimension of writing lies in its ability to enrich academic relevance, strengthen focus, and sharpen critical thinking. In other words, writing serves as a powerful engine for uncovering gaps in knowledge.

Beyond the benefits already mentioned, the academic sphere inevitably contains unanswered questions and unresolved issues commonly referred to as research gaps. These gaps do not always emerge from flawed methodologies or insufficient data. Sometimes, they arise simply because the wording, perspective, or framing of a discussion has not yet fully connected with the topic at hand. There is perhaps no more effective way to identify a research gap than by sitting down and forcing oneself to write.

Writing is a tangible form of thinking. It is not merely the act of expressing ideas, but also the process of curating information and discovering insights that were previously overlooked. Furthermore, beyond helping researchers address existing gaps, the spontaneous thoughts and word choices that emerge during writing often become the foundation for future studies and discussions.

The most valuable research gaps are rarely discovered by reading dozens of journals alone. More often, they emerge when researchers attempt to write about what they have read and suddenly realize that something is missing—or that a voice has yet to be heard. In this context, writing is not merely a tool for recording knowledge; it is a method of thinking that generates new knowledge.

Returning to the extraordinary richness of the human mind and its vast network of neurons, those who dedicate themselves to expressing ideas in forms that are not only accurate but also accessible to the public are among the hidden gems of the modern era. Beginning with a single word, a single sentence, or a single paragraph, we can contribute to a body of knowledge that is not only substantial but also enduring. After all, any journey left undocumented—or any insight lacking a unique perspective—becomes knowledge that dies with its creator.

“Writing is the only real magic; words on a page can change a person’s mind.”

— Terry Pratchett

Source of References:

Speaking of Psychology: Expressive writing can help your mental health, with James Pennebaker, PhD

Menulis untuk kesehatan mental: Mengajarkan esai jadi cara baru melawan ketergantungan pada AI - TheConversationID