8 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started Morning Pages
that would have fired me up and let me know I wasn’t alone in the journey
Morning pages are the brainchild of Julia Cameron and the idea is relatively simple- to write 3 standard 8.5x11" pages of freewrite per day. These pages can be about anything: random thoughts that come up, a project you want to think more deeply about, soul searching, or commentary on daily life- it’s all fair game.
In my journey, I’ve realized that morning pages center me. They get things out of my heart and head before I start the day. They also help me to stay focused on what matters most. They are a good cleanse upon first waking up and can set the table for the rest of the day. They relax and soothe- like meditation- and they also can help you find answers you’re searching for- by asking your inner self.
There are a lot of benefits for morning pages, but no one really takes the time to explain what makes them stick as a habit. It’s like a homework assignment for your brain first thing in the morning. So, I had to start coming up with my own reasons to do it and tips to make it work for me.
Keep Your Notebook By the Bed
If you place the things needed to complete the habit close by, you’ll be more likely to think “I’m just going to get this done and over” than to spend 10 minutes searching for a notebook and another 40 writing. That 10 minutes can throw you off-kilter or serve as time to actually be doing the thing.
It’s Okay to Listen to Music or Non-Distracting Videos
When I work on my morning pages, I usually either listen to music or youtube videos on my phone. The key here is to make sure you can use it as background noise instead of needing to focus. I tend to listen on and off to whatever I’m playing and often have to go back to rewatch because writing is my priority. However, little things like a youtube video and burning a candle while I write make the experience just a little more enjoyable for me. Once you start with morning pages, you may start looking for your own hacks as well.
Not Everyone Writes at the Same Pace, Allow Yourself Grace When It Takes Longer
When I started to look into tips to make my experience more enjoyable, I was reading different articles on what would help make the experience better. In every one of those articles without fail, the writer would proclaim that they could get their morning pages down in 15–30 minutes flat.
That is not my pace. Sometimes it takes me 45–50 minutes to get 3 pages down. I’ve had experiences where it only takes 35 minutes, but they are the exception, not the rule.
There is no measuring stick or prize for finishing first. Take your time, enjoy your work and you’ll get there. But block off more time than others might state that it takes them to get it done.
How Much More Centered My Day is When I Write
There are certain things that everyone does as part of their morning routine that they feel the absence or presence of as the day unfolds. Many friends have told me that if they don’t spend time praying and reading their bible, their day has a completely different outcome. For some, this is meditation. If they don’t clear their minds first thing, they miss out on feeling relaxed later.
I can honestly say that morning pages are like this for me. They center my mind and help me relax. They get some of the worries and concerns out before the day begins. While I can’t say that I’ve written anything revolutionary in the past 3 months, that I know of, they help me analyze, daydream and find what it is that I really want.
That There is Nothing Wrong with Having a Lead
Long before I found the morning pages, I was a big fan of timed writing with a particular subject. I would have a short topic like “blue” and start writing down whatever came to mind. Morning pages are like that.
While it is mentioned in Artist’s Way that it’s okay to list a few questions before sleeping that will become clearer with a good night’s sleep- nothing else is mentioned about having a starting place. Even with a starting place, you can still do a stream of consciousness. The only thing that would be different is that you have a direction that you can still dive into or jump off from when you choose.
Morning Pages are Meant to Be a One Time Use Per Day
It’s forbidden to go back into the morning pages for the first 8 weeks. To be honest, I’ve been using the system on and off since November and I have never gone back to reread. That doesn’t mean that I won’t eventually go back and see what’s in those notebooks. However, it’s just something that has not appealed to me yet.
The morning pages are a great place to relive the previous day, get set mentally for the next day, and dream into what the future holds. They center us by their writing and can even reveal the truth hidden inside. However, they are also a tool that does not have an immediate use for reflection once written.
A Lot of Things Change and Become More Clear Due to Pages
This is something I have yet to experience in my own life. However, I’ve heard of youtube channels being started because of what occurred during this time. I’ve read about people who made major life changes after working with pages. My own life becomes less hectic but I can’t say that major change has occurred due to me putting words down for morning pages.
That Some Days the Writing Won’t Come to 3 Pages and that’s Okay
Disclaimer: this is me talking from my own personal experience and not as part of the endorsed plan. Some days we just don’t have it in us: either the time or the energy to put into 3 pages. It’s better to get something on the page than nothing.
They Also Work to Clear Mind Before Sleep
Although they are called morning pages and the intent is to use them in the morning, they are good for clearing your mind before sleeping as well. They are a good way to get any anxiety, frustration, or stress out of the way to help you rest better.
Conclusion
Morning pages are a fantastic and centering way to begin your day. They also help to kick off the creative process and get into the act of reflection and writing. They are a perfect tool if you want your day to be more clear and focused. They have the ability to create change and help to see things that get missed.
Everything written above is from my own experience with using the morning pages. I have written less, skipped days, and failed the project but these are things that have helped me along the way.
