An In-Depth Guide to Morning Pages: Everything you need to know
“I love the smell of possibility in the morning!”
For the longest time, I had overlooked the importance of starting the day right. Now, however, I am obsessed with morning routines and making people around me start a morning routine!
One of the most amazing morning routine rituals that I have discovered is....(Drumroll Please!)...MORNING PAGES!
Where did the concept of Morning Pages come from?
Julia Cameron writes about the practice of writing 'morning pages' in her book - "The Artist's Way".
I, however, came across this practice in a blog post I was reading (Can't seem to remember which one though:().
It seemed like an interesting idea and so, I went to Pinterest and read all the posts on morning pages that I could find. (Well, not all...but hyperbole works!)
What are Morning Pages?
Morning Pages are, as Julia Cameron says, "Three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning."
It is the practice wherein you offload your thoughts onto 3 pages of a journal or notebook, first thing in the morning - it's as simple as that!
What I learnt from reading all the articles on Morning Pages is that like any other practice, even in the morning pages practice people apply variations according to the individual preferences and you can mould it into what comes with your flow, but '3 pages of writing done first thing in the morning' is the common theme.
"Three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning."
Why write morning pages/why make the effort?
Because....one word: GAME-CHANGER!
(Side note: I am loving the word "game-changer" recently, so you might see me using it so very often!)
So, like I was saying, it is a game-changer! It transforms your perspective and declutters your mind little by little and makes sure you get into the day with clarity and intention.
1. Not just for creatives!
This practice is super helpful and productive for all, not just people in the creative field. I am a medical student and it has immensely benefitted me.
2. Clarity like never before!
It helps you get clear on your goals, aspirations and the 'Big Picture' stuff. It gives you a safe space to analyze any big things that you want to do in your life that can seem 'crazy' and it can help you get clear about these 'crazy' aspirations (it's 'crazy' only because we tend to think that it is; the limitation is in our mind and this practice can make it feel more real so that you can make it the reality for you!) and about the goals that you have always had, but never sat and analyzed.
It transforms your perspective and declutters your mind little by little and makes sure you get into the day with clarity and intention.
3. Appreciation of the Little Things
Aside from giving clarity on the BIG picture, it serves to encourage us to notice the little things in life, like the appreciation of a new, rose in the garden or the smell of the morning breeze that you never really considered before! It presents added opportunities to bring awareness and mindfulness to the present.
4. Focus enhancer
When you begin your day by decluttering your mind, there is so much to be gained! It helps you get focused on your goals or intention for the day and helps you jump into the day with a fresh and clear mind.
5. Mental Health check
All forms of journalling are said to be beneficial for good mental health or what I like to call 'Mental Health Maintenence' and so does the 'morning pages' practice. It makes sure you make time to reflect and ground yourself as well as stay in touch with your emotions and your self-care needs.
It presents added opportunities to bring awareness and mindfulness to the present.
It makes sure you make time to reflect and ground yourself as well as stay in touch with your emotions and your self-care needs.
How to do Morning Pages?
As I've mentioned before, there are a few variations that are adopted by different individuals, but there is a common theme to most of them.
So, let's see how you can begin your morning pages practice and start the transformative process!
1. Grab your favourite notebook/diary/journal
If you need any extra motivation to start (after a list of the 'why's I don't think you will, but still), grab a notebook dedicated to your practice and make sure it's something that makes you want to write.
2. Make the commitment for the next morning
Pretty self-explanatory step - Commit and show up for it!
Wake up earlier or make space in your current morning routine; do the work and show up!
3. Fix up your favourite beverage (Tea/Coffee/Lemon water)
Come next morning, fix up your preferred drink and out of the options above or even just plain water. (Please do not choose a drink that is unhealthy for you - no coke, no soda, no alcohol! This is not a rule mentioned, but it's super important to show up for your physical health too!)
4. WRITE!
Now, grab your drink, your pen, your notebook and start writing! It does not need to make sense and you do not have to go back and read it again. In fact, for the first few months, it is best if you do not go back and read it. Just write whatever comes to your mind and do not judge yourself.
My mom always asks me what it is that I write. She is also an avid personal growth content consumer and she said she hears everyone talk about journaling. Personally, however, she said she never understands what to write. So, it is totally normal to feel that way and all you have to do is commit to it and then it'll be like a stream (flowy, I mean;))
You may write about things around you, random thoughts that pop up, dialogues that come to your mind, some song playing in your head, what you want to do in your day, your plans for the day or week or even that you have no idea what to write!
5. Repeat! Every Single Day!
On my first day, I wrote - "I have no idea what to write!" - I did that for real!
Now, I can tell you this; I look forward to writing every single day and it makes me happy!
It's one of those things that I'm so very glad that I found and I'm even happier and so proud of myself for sticking to it!
So, commit to start and do this every single day. (I take Sundays off and you can choose one day like that too, but every single day apart from that)
You'll see the difference; you'll start seeing that it makes you feel happier and more content.
On my first day, I wrote - "I have no idea what to write!" - I did that for real!
Now, I can tell you this; I look forward to writing every single day and it makes me happy!
Some variations of this practice include using prompts, but my experience is that what comes naturally is much better!
If you are more comfortable with a guided journaling practice with prompts, do let me know and I will make a list of prompts specially curated for you and send it to you!
Do this for 3 months - every single day, persist, show up and let me know how it worked out for you!
I look forward to hearing from you - about your experience, your story and how this helped you!