Written by Tammy Machmali
Many years ago, during my college days, I embarked on a journey of practicing Morning Pages. Little did I know how profoundly it would impact my life. This daily ritual became a lifeline for me, helping me navigate the tumultuous sea of thoughts and mind chatter that often overwhelmed me.
As I faithfully put pen to paper each morning, I began to experience a remarkable transformation. Morning Pages became my sanctuary, a place where I could release the chaos of my mind and gain the precious gift of clarity. It was as if a fog had lifted, allowing me to see with greater focus and purpose.
Over time, I found myself naturally gravitating towards what truly mattered in my life. The noise of non-urgent and unimportant matters gradually faded into the background. Morning Pages has given me the ability to align with my deepest needs and aspirations.
In my journey, this practice became my guiding star, directing me toward a life filled with purpose and contentment. It's truly remarkable how the act of putting pen to paper each morning can initiate such profound transformations. Morning Pages have stood by my side as a loyal friend, accompanying me on this incredible path of self-discovery and personal growth.
What are morning pages?
Morning Pages is a creative writing practice popularized by Julia Cameron in her book "The Artist's Way." It involves writing three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing every morning. The goal is to clear your mind, unlock creativity, and gain insights.
Picture this: you start your morning by filling three pages in your journal, a ritual designed to sweep away the initial whirlwind of thoughts. It's like a gentle breeze that clears the clutter, creating a canvas for creativity and laser-focused thinking. Those relentless personal problems, stressors, and anxieties—often referred to as the "monkey mind"—lose their grip. As you grant yourself the freedom to pour your thoughts onto the pages, you begin to see the world with fresh eyes, concentrating on what truly matters.
The Benefits of Morning pages
Morning Pages are important for several reasons:
Clearing Mental Clutter: Morning Pages serve as a mental "dumping ground." By writing down your stream of consciousness, you can release and clear out the clutter of thoughts, worries, and distractions that may be occupying your mind. This can provide a sense of relief and mental space to focus on your day.
Stress Reduction: The act of writing out your thoughts and emotions can be therapeutic. It allows you to express and process your feelings, reducing stress and anxiety. Morning Pages can serve as a form of emotional release and self-care.
Enhancing Creativity: Morning Pages can unlock your creativity. When you let your thoughts flow freely without judgment or self-censorship, you may uncover new ideas, insights, and creative solutions to problems. It's a tool for tapping into your inner creativity.
Problem Solving: Writing about challenges or dilemmas in your Morning Pages can help you gain clarity and perspective. It's a way to brainstorm and explore potential solutions or next steps.
Self-Discovery: Morning Pages can be a valuable tool for self-discovery and self-reflection. As you write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you may gain deeper insights into your beliefs, values, and goals.
Building Self-Discipline: Making Morning Pages a daily habit helps build self-discipline and consistency. It encourages you to set aside time each morning for reflection and self-expression, which can spill over into other areas of your life.
Boosting Confidence: Over time, the act of consistently completing your Morning Pages can boost your confidence in your ability to follow through with daily practice. This sense of accomplishment can have a positive ripple effect on other areas of your life.
Enhancing Mindfulness: Writing Morning Pages encourages you to be present and mindful in the moment. You become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which can improve your overall mindfulness and awareness.
Cultivating Gratitude: Some people use Morning Pages as an opportunity to express gratitude. Starting your day by writing down things you're thankful for can shift your focus toward positivity and appreciation.
Self-Care: Morning Pages are a form of self-care. Taking time each morning to check in with yourself, process your thoughts, and nurture your creative side can contribute to your overall well-being.
How to Start Doing Morning Pages
Here's step by step how to do Morning Pages:
Materials Needed:
A notebook or journal (typically, Morning Pages are done by hand)
A pen or pencil
Steps:
Set Aside Time: Choose a consistent time in the morning for your Morning Pages. It's often recommended to do them as soon as you wake up, before your mind gets cluttered with daily tasks and distractions.
Find a Quiet Space: Select a quiet, comfortable space where you won't be disturbed during your writing time.
Start Writing: Begin writing longhand in your journal. Aim to write three full pages, which is roughly equivalent to 750 words. Don't worry about your handwriting, grammar, or spelling. The idea is to write without self-censorship.
Write Whatever Comes to Mind: Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it seems trivial or unimportant. You can start by writing about how you feel, what you dreamt about, or any thoughts that are bothering you. It's perfectly fine to write "I don't know what to write" repeatedly if that's what comes up.
Keep Writing: Don't stop until you've filled three pages. If you get stuck, write whatever is on your mind, even if it's "I don't know what to write" until the flow of thoughts resumes.
Don't Edit or Judge: This is crucial. Morning Pages are a place for unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Don't edit, critique, or judge what you're writing. The goal is to bypass your inner critic and access your authentic thoughts and feelings.
No Specific Purpose: Morning Pages don't need to have a specific purpose or goal. They are a tool for daily reflection and creative expression. Some days, you may uncover insights or ideas, while other days, it might feel like you're just clearing mental clutter. Both are valuable.
Be Consistent: Try to make Morning Pages a daily practice. Consistency helps build the habit and reap the full benefits.
Review (Optional): You can choose to review your Morning Pages later, but it's not necessary. The primary benefit comes from the act of writing itself.
Let Go: After completing your Morning Pages, consider them done for the day. Don't dwell on what you've written or feel obligated to act on anything that came up. The idea is to release thoughts, not necessarily act on them immediately.
What to Do with Old Morning Pages
In accordance with the perspective of Julia Cameron, the author of "The Artist's Way," it can be viewed that Morning Pages share similarities with meditation. Similar to how meditation isn't typically repeated, there's no necessity to revisit our Morning Pages. In a lighthearted vein, I often jest, "First, give the pages their ceremonial farewell, then consider their content." Some individuals have chosen to dispose of their Morning Pages through methods like burning, shredding, or burying them, as a symbolic act of release.
Morning Pages are important because they offer a structured and consistent way to clear your mind, reduce stress, enhance creativity, and promote self-discovery. They can be a valuable tool for personal growth and mental well-being. While the experiences may vary, I encourage you to start – it's a practice worth exploring to see how it can impact your daily routine and overall well-being. So, give it a try and discover the transformative potential of Morning Pages in your life.
As you journey through these words, consider this your personal invitation—a call to action. I encourage you to embrace the practice of Morning Pages and make it a cherished part of your daily routine. Who knows, it might just become the catalyst for a journey toward a happier, more creative, and deeply fulfilled version of yourself.
Thank you for investing your precious time in reading this blog. It's my sincerest hope that you've discovered valuable insights here, just as many others have. If you have questions or thoughts to share, don't hesitate to reach out. Your journey of inner exploration and transformation awaits, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.
My sincere hope is that you discover meaningful insights within these words, as many others have. If you have any questions or thoughts, please don't hesitate to contact me. Your journey of inner exploration and transformation awaits.
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