I love morning pages because they help me clear the noise in my head and make sense of my feelings.
Even though I don’t do it to the extent that I used to, I still journal one page most mornings because it doesn’t take up too much time and it helps me sort through my thoughts & emotions.
If you’re a beginner to morning pages, I’ll give you an easy 101 on what they are, how they help, and how you can start your own practice.
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Morning Pages 101: An Easy Guide To Get Clear & Unstuck.
What Are Morning Pages?
Morning pages were started by Julia Cameron, the author of the book, The Artist’s Way. In the book, she described how she created morning pages, which are three pages of writing without filtering yourself, every morning.
The process of writing without judgment or structure helped her overcome her creative blocks by showing up imperfect and unpolished.
With morning pages, there’s no one looking over your shoulder to see if you’re following the rules. It’s just you, showing up authentically, on three unfiltered, messy pages.
How To Do Morning Pages.
The beauty of morning pages is how simple & flexible it is. You only need a notebook, a pen, and a little quiet time.
You don’t even have to do it in the morning or have a notebook and pen. If mornings are too hard, you can pick a time of day where you can sit down quietly and write for three pages.
If all you have to write with is your electronic device, that’s perfectly fine, too. But there really is nothing like the feeling of a pen and paper in your hands when you’re writing.
My 3 Simple Rules For Writing Morning Pages:
- Write for 3 pages non-stop.
- Don’t filter or judge your writing.
- Let your thoughts & emotions spill freely on the pages.
Why You Should Try Morning Pages.
Morning pages are a great way to get your day started. They not only help you release your thoughts & get unstuck, they help your mind feel more focused & clear.
Also, they’re great for overcoming creative blocks by sifting through your mesh of thoughts & feelings and allowing your creativity to rise.
They can help you recall and keep a record of moments and events in your life, even the small ones.
They can even help you understand recurring patterns in your life, to see how they influence you, so you can change the trajectory of your life if you choose.
How Morning Pages Changed Me.
I started morning pages because I felt so lost, even though I had the roles of wife, mom, and dental hygienist.
When I first started, I wasn’t sure if I would stick with it because the program in the book is 12 weeks long. But I was determined to do it because I felt stuck, as well as anxious & overwhelmed.
In the beginning, my writing felt pointless, messy, and meaningless. But over time, I noticed something shifting.
My mind became clearer, I had more direction & focus, and life just felt a little bit lighter.
Morning pages gave me a space to untangle my random thoughts, be honest with myself, and do things that aligned with the real me.
I stopped writing 3 pages after the 12 weeks were over, but I still write one page in my journal almost every morning.
How I Do Morning Pages Now.
These days, my morning pages are part of my cozy morning ritual. I get up before anyone else is awake so the whole house is quiet and I feel like I have it all to myself.
I start writing without judging myself. Even if I have to write, “I don’t know what to write”, I will write it out because the wheels in my mind will start turning and the words start flowing out.
I don’t stop until I fill out a whole page. This whole exercise takes about 5 minutes and it’s enough to help me clear my head and get out whatever needs to come out, so I can start the day feeling fresher & more focused.
An Easy Way To Structure Your Morning Pages.
Julia Cameron’s book is actually structured with journal prompts and themes. I adopted a simpler way to structure morning pages that you can use to get yourself started.
First, I grab my pen and notebook and begin writing what day of the week it is and the date, at the very top.
Then, I skip a line for my title, which I will write and highlight later on when I’m done. It’s an easy way for me to reference my pages when I need to go back and read them.
You can even go the extra mile and write numbers at the bottom of your pages if you want to index them and keep them organized.
When you’re finished writing, skim over what you just wrote (or go at your own pace if you like), create a title, and either circle, box, or highlight the title so you can find your journal entry easier later on if you need to.
52 Weekly Morning Page Themes For More Clarity And Connection.
Here are simple themes that I came up with to help you feel more clear and connected to the real you.
You can use them as a theme for the entire week, or as a single journal entry to jumpstart your weekly journaling.
- What makes my life feel joyful?
- What are my biggest dreams & desires?
- What feels like a luxury to me?
- What makes me laugh & smile?
- What is my purpose?
- What are my favorite things to do?
- What is most important to me?
- What can I do without or let go of?
- What activities make me feel happy?
- What accomplishments am I proud of?
- How do I like to pamper myself?
- What are my strongest & weakest qualities?
- What are my favorite childhood memories?
- What are some challenges I overcame in life?
- What would make me feel strong and powerful?
- What feels like excitement & adventure?
- What would I say to my younger self?
- What kind of relationships do I want to have?
- What does it mean to believe in myself?
- What am I saying yes to when I really mean no?
- What does it mean to live my best life?
- What makes me feel like my soul is soaring?
- What is stopping me from fulfilling xyz?
- Who do I admire and why?
- What do I want to learn right now?
- In what ways am I following my calling?
- What are some skills or lessons that I want to teach to someone?
- What do I wish I was doing more of?
- What lights me up inside?
- What is time well spent?
- When were times that I felt truly seen & accepted?
- What do I do for fun?
- What inspires me?
- How can I treat myself to something that is free or low cost?
- Who are the people that I trust and why?
- Who are the people in my life that I want to deepen my relationship with?
- What are my dream jobs and why?
- What are my heart’s deepest desires?
- What makes me feel clear when I slow down and listen to myself?
- How can I bring more ease and softness into my days?
- What do I notice about myself when I give my thoughts space to breathe?
- How do I feel most connected to who I truly am?
- In what ways can I show myself kindness today?
- What matters most to me when I quiet the noise around me?
- How can I honor the person I am becoming?
- How can I welcome more peace into my everyday life?
- How can I feel more at home within myself?
- What feels true for me when I allow myself to simply be?
- What is unfolding within me right now?
- How can I welcome more lightness into my daily life?
- What parts of me are asking to be seen and heard right now?
- What would my ideal day/week/month/year/life look like?
Last Thoughts On Morning Pages.
Morning pages are a simple and powerful tool to help you get clear and unstuck. They can help you sort through your thoughts, express your emotions, and overcome blocks to creativity. They can even help you connect with, understand, and accept the real you.
Give morning pages a try and let this quiet habit change everything for you, too.
More Ways To Get Clear & Unstuck.
Morning pages and journal prompts are not the only way to get clear and unstuck. If you want to get creative, notebook style, check out 35 creative ways to fill an empty notebook.
If you’re just starting a self-discovery journey, read How to start a self-discovery journey with 5 powerful questions.
Will you give morning pages a try? Let me know what you think!
