Description evolves best from observation. Observation offers a way of watching your inner experiences reflected back in outer phenomena. Instead of writing “I felt gloomy,” you could write: “The clouds pressed in, prematurely darkening the bleak sky.” By strengthening your powers of observation you’ll be able to transform your plethora of confusing emotions into the balanced equanimity that comes with clear thinking.

Describe what you see out your window in minute detail. Do this at approximately the same time each day. Try to evoke a different mood on different days (gloomy, cheerful, excited…) just from the description itself – don’t mention any personal emotion.Describe what you see out your window in minute detail. Do this at approximately the same time each day. Try to evoke a different mood on different days (gloomy, cheerful, excited…) just from the description itself – don’t mention any personal emotion.

Describe a rainy afternoon without using the word rain or saying anything about how you feel.

Look in the mirror and describe yourself as though you were someone else – in the third person. Do this several times, at different times of the day: you might find you discover seven different people.

Using details and interesting, unusual adjectives, describe a single room in your home from the point of view of someone who is considering purchasing the house and does not know you.