In case you are unfamiliar with morning pages, it is a term coined by Julia Cameron, from her book โThe Artistโs Way.โ Julia Cameron describes them as:ย
... three pages of longhand (handwritten), stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning.
โThere is no wrong way to do morning pagesโthey are not high art. They are not even โwritingโ. They are about anything and everything that crosses your mindโand they are for your eyes only. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the pageโฆNothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included.โ
For those of us who do morning pages, it can also be described as a private sanctuary where you gather yourself, albeit on paper, before the start of your day.
How to get the most out of your morning pages
Get up earlier. Make your morning pages part of your morning routine. Morning pages can take anything from 20 to 40 minutes, so itโs best to wake up earlier than you normally would.
Donโt worry about your handwriting. No one is going to read your writing, so it doesnโt need to be perfect. It doesnโt need to be tidy.
Donโt worry about grammar or spelling. If you misspell, donโt go back to fix it. Just keep the pen going.
Donโt worry about needing to complete your thoughts. If you are writing about subject A, and subject B pops into your head, donโt feel the need to complete subject A before you start with subject B. You can change gears whenever you want.
If the weather allows, write outside or open a window. When you get in touch with nature, this can take your morning pages to a new level.ย
Donโt check your phone, messages, or the internet before you start your morning pages. You donโt want mental distractions before you even get started.
Create a ritual out of your morning pages. Curate a morning ritual that is calming, simple, and relaxing. Perhaps make a cup of coffee before you head out to the deck to sit and write your morning pages.
Use nice suppliesโyou are worth it! Use a great pen that flows easily and write in a nice book. If the pen and book are not nice, you may not be motivated to write.
Listen to ad-free ambient music. Ambient music can help you focus on the task at hand, but make sure it is ad-freeโads can be very distracting.
Donโt allow interruptions. Taking 30 minutes to write is not an indulgence. Youโre not being selfish. Take the time you need for yourself. Interrupting your stream of thought is not conducive to effective writing.ย
Silence your phone.
If you are not a morning person, write at a different time, like nighttime. Writing at night can help get worries and anxieties out of your head, and help you sleep better.
Donโt sensor yourself. The morning pages are not meant for anyone but you, so write as if itโs for your eyes only. If you donโt allow yourself to vent in your morning pages, those thoughts will remain trapped in your head.ย
Destroy your morning pages if you are worried about someone else reading them.
Allow yourself room for mistakes. It may take time to get into the habit of writing daily. Forgive yourself if you miss a day or two.
