I’ve been reading Julia Cameron’s Write for Life, author of the bestseller The Artist’s Way. Both books emphasize the power of habitually writing “Morning Pages.”
“Morning Pages” are stream-of-consciousness journals you pen before you begin your day while enjoying your coffee or tea. Ms. Cameron suggests you journal three handwritten pages daily about anything that comes to mind to find clarity, build your writing muscle, and enhance your creativity.
How to Write Funny by Scott Dikkers suggests completing “Pages” daily using your keyboard for 30 minutes.
I also prefer typing to writing. Handwriting slows me down, which I suspect is why I am choosing to ignore the recommendation.
I have trouble reading my own handwriting. I would not expect anyone else to attempt it.
However, Ms. Cameron suggests that handwriting connects with one’s thoughts and emotions on a deeper level, enhances creativity, and reduces stress. With a pen and paper, a spiritual element is present that is drowned out when you are pounding the keyboard.
I love the idea of “Morning Pages” and agree with all its benefits, whether accomplished by hand or computer. If nothing else, it is a way to write when I don’t know what to write about. You make it up as you go along, and no one will read it but you.
With “Morning Pages,” you sit your butt in the chair, keep your fingers moving and resist the temptation to edit as you go along. Even when you are finished, you are discouraged from ever reading what you have spent the time to write.
Apparently, critiquing yourself doesn’t free your mind.
Writing keeps me sane, so I must stick to my routines.
Two days a week, as part of my writing group (join us!), we spend an hour “Writing Together,” which means we get on a Zoom call, quickly say hello, and start clicking away at our individual projects.
Here is the thing about habits like writing: it is so easy to break them! A change in my schedule, such as an early appointment, other obligations, or unexpected priorities, would force me to start over from scratch after a couple of days.
After all, no one will be hurt if I don’t write today. It won’t take long for my track record to fail me.
My gratitude journal is an example. I filled four pages, and now it has laid untouched for the entire month. I forgot all about it.
I still have gratitude; I just don’t write it down.
I am self-aware enough to know that if I don’t consistently hold myself accountable, a few days without writing may turn into a week.
I need to schedule and give myself reasons to keep going. Although each writing session is often only thirty minutes or an hour, with my ADD and constant distractions, I can still struggle.
And yet, how many hours fly by with little notice? Minutes tick by while watching a TV show, eating meals, reading, going on a walk, scrolling on Facebook, or doing household chores.
It is funny how difficult it is to begin something that I actually love doing.
When I write first thing in the morning, it is before I have time to convince myself that there is something “more important” that I have to do. The writing is freeing, and I feel accomplished, starting the day on a positive note.
Sometimes, the writing is more like a journal, tracking my activities and moods; other days, I describe various places I’ve been. The morning writing lightens me rather than adding more weight and reflection.
“Morning Pages” is not the kind of writing that drains you and makes you feel you are finished for the day.
With a consistent morning habit, there would be no need to exert energy; it would just happen. Still, I know it will take some time to add another habit that requires more than five minutes to my morning routine because that is my “best” time of day. I already have a busy schedule, but it can be done.
A similar habit of posting an article online every Friday has become part of my routine. I have been consistent for 30 weeks. That is crucial; I don’t want to break my streak, which is my motivation.
On the days I have written “Morning Pages,” I notice the benefit, even if it is the afternoon or evening. I find clarity. It is somewhat meditative, forcing words from your mind, pounding them out, keeping your fingers moving, and allowing the space for more ideas to come in.
Whenever I am consistent with the “Pages” practice, I can write faster on other projects, with fewer interruptions, a clearer vision of my objective, and less searching time.
It is worth getting up earlier for the daily practice. I get it.
Is it possible that I am trying to convince myself or you? The truth is it’s a little of both.
How often have I known what I should do and can give a list of reasons why, but I am still not consistent? For instance, I can keep that gratitude journal, avoid after-dinner snacks, get in my daily walk, eat fewer carbs, drink more water, get more rest, and countless other suggestions that the benefits far outweigh any effort spent.
So, I’ll keep at it. Some days, I will do “Morning Pages,” and sometimes it will be the “Evening Pages.” Other days, it will be “Blank Pages,” but like anything else, if I keep at it, eventually, it will happen more often than not.
I want “Morning Pages” to be my new habit, which is a good start.
My goal is that the consistency of “stream-of-consciousness journal writing” will free my mind so that writing chapters for my book or weekly posts will flow more effortlessly, saving me time and frustration.
Perhaps one habit will link to another and remind me to write a sentence or two in my gratitude journal, and then, who knows? Perhaps yoga as well? The possibilities are endless.
It will all be worth the effort, I am sure.
Do you have a daily journaling/ “Morning Pages” routine? If so, do you generally sit down to write simultaneously every day? What benefits do you notice?
I’d love to hear!
Your positive experiences with the practice would encourage me to set my alarm earlier each day to make it happen.
Thanks for reading!
Keep smiling!
xx
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