Ever heard of morning pages?

Morning Pages are something Julia Cameron wrote about in her book The Artist’s Way way back in the 90s. She recommends this practice where you write down three pages of whatever pops into your head first thing in the morning. It's like a brain dump on paper, and you don't worry about grammar, punctuation, spelling, or making it sound fancy – just let it flow.

“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–
they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about
anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes
only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and
synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put
three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.”

~ Julia Cameron

 

Here's how ya do it…

  • Timing is important: Do this right when you wake up. Your brain's still in that groggy, unfiltered state that's perfect for this.

  • Pen and paper, not keyboard: Grab an old-school pen and paper. There's something about the physical act of writing that makes it more personal. Writing by hand is just different somehow.

  • Fill three pages: Yup, that's the goal. Fill em up! Just get your thoughts out.

  • No censorship: Seriously, let it all out. Even if it sounds like a crazy rant, that's the point…just write!

  • Eyes-only content: This is your personal dump zone. It’s not meant to be read, reread, or seen by anyone else. You can always burn it sometime down the road.

Morning Pages can really be a positive influence on your mental health. It can offer

  • Stress Relief: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be an emotional release. It's a safe space to unload worries, anxieties, and stresses, which can provide a sense of relief

  • Clears your mental mess: It's like hitting the reset button for your brain. All that mental clutter/chatter gets out of your head and onto the paper. It’s a like a super useful brain dump

  • Stay in the Now: It's like a morning mindfulness exercise. Instead of letting your mind race to tomorrow's to-do list, you're right there on the paper, dealing with today and being mindful!

  • Emotional Dumping Ground: Feelings, good or bad, need an exit strategy. Morning Pages give them a place to land, helping you make sense of the emotional roller coaster. Knowing nobody will read this allows us the freedom to write literally anything we need/want to

  • Increased Self-Awareness: Regularly engaging in Morning Pages can help you become more aware of your thoughts, patterns, and emotions. Self-awareness is a key element of good mental health

  • Problem Solving: When you jot down your concerns and challenges, you may find that solutions and insights naturally emerge. It's a way of working through problems on paper, which can be less overwhelming than keeping everything in your head. It's like brainstorming on paper, and sometimes the solutions just pop up. It's like magic, but with ink!

  • Gratitude and Positivity: Morning Pages can also be a space to express gratitude and positive thoughts. Focusing on the positive aspects of your life, even in the midst of challenges, can contribute to a more optimistic mindset….and sometimes getting all the negative stuff out of the way makes for easier access to the good stuff

  • Creative Juices Flowing: Remember when you were a kid and could imagine anything? Morning Pages help you tap back into that creativity. Just unfiltered writing, which taps into your creative side.

  • Routine and Structure: Establishing a morning routine that includes Morning Pages can provide a sense of structure and stability. Predictable routines can be comforting and contribute to overall mental well-being

  • Get stuff done: Starting the day with a clear head? It's like putting on mental armour. You'll tackle the day like a champ 

Give it a shot; you might end up loving it or thinking it's a bit meh. Give it a shot, and if it doesn't vibe with you, that's cool too. As always, the goal is to find what works for you.