By Kimine Mayuzumi
Before I started Morning Pages
Writing has been a part of my healing system. Yet, it was sporadic for a long time. Looking through my old journals, I was actually writing only when I was angry and frustrated. I wanted to vent about all the things that made me feel like a victim.
So many of the records in my old journals make my life then sound quite miserable even though I had many happy moments too. If a third person read my journal then, they would feel sorry for my life.
Things have changed.
After I started Morning Pages
Now I do a totally different type of journaling, the “Morning Pages,” almost every morning. Unlike before, I intend to invite positive energy so that I can kick off my brand-new day with more joy and compassion. This works a lot better – healthier and more sustainable.
Before sharing the nitty-gritty of my Morning Page practice…
What is “Morning Pages?”
It was coined by Julia Cameron, who wrote the book, The Artist’s Way. Cameron defines Morning Pages as a fundamental tool in creative recovery.
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 Live)
What you write doesn’t have to be logical, compelling or organized as you’re discouraged from using your “Censor, who resides in [your] (left) brain and keeps up a constant stream of subversive remarks that are often disguised as the truth” (Cameron, 2002, p. 11). Morning Pages are not for recording or sharing.
Writing Morning Pages definitely invites me to be open and free and encourages me to focus more on the process rather than the outcome. It is the pleasure of practice that prioritizes less of what I produce but allows me to engage and connect with myself in the moment.
Since I was inspired by the book several years ago, I’ve tried to follow Cameron’s suggestions. But I had to tailor some of them over the course of my trials and carve out my own feasible way.
How do I write my version of Morning Pages?
Instead of three pages of longhand writing, I use Google Doc and usually write less than two pages for only 15-25 minutes. Using Google Doc and a timer, I can get the Morning Pages going with more ease and focus.
Plus, I don’t do the Morning Pages first thing in the morning while Cameron encourages you to do so. Instead, after finishing all the morning routines, I come to the desk to work and start with my Morning Pages as a regular ritual.
Then how do I actually conduct the routine of Morning Pages? Here are 4 steps:
Step 1: Setting
I retrieve the Google Doc entitled Morning Pages (and the year). Each time, my writing starts from the top of the first page. Right below the title, I type the date in Heading 2. Now ready for free writing using Normal Text from the next line.
Step 2: Digging
I usually begin by asking my inner self with affection how she is (feeling). It is a gentle invitation to my inner child as I actually picture my 4-year-old self that I see everyday in a photo stand in our bathroom. I then answer it by checking in with my physical condition first and interrogate why I feel the way I feel.
This step usually leads me to get all the draining energy out of me. I attempt to explore and find the core voice or gremlin causing the given negative feelings. The problem is sometimes purely physical. But oftentimes, it is (also) mental.
Step 3: Centering
Once my gremlin gets my full attention for a while, it seems like a natural step for me to center my wise and calm self next. It often allows me to reframe the picture I had captured in my mind by changing my perspectives and bringing more positive energy and gratitude.
Step 4: Planning
At last, I ask myself with curiosity, “What do I want to do today?” Answering it, I make a to-do list for the day from the next line.
Why does the Morning Pages work for me?
Ritual
It seems that I can’t start my day without the Morning Pages. It has become a daily initiation ritual that sets the tone and intentions for the rest of the day. (Also see the article about writing rituals)
Clarity
Writing down my initial (seemingly) rubbish thoughts often brings me more concrete pictures that can make more sense. I sometimes encounter aha moments when I can connect dots (e.g., why I feel the way I feel). In short, I start writing Morning Pages with either a cluttered or blank mind and, by the end, become much clearer about how I am, where I am and what I want.
Mental shift
I typically start my Morning Pages by whining and complaining, then move onto the silver lining and grab a more optimistic and constructive attitude. This mental shift is one of the most important reasons why I write Morning Pages. It is about bringing positive energy that can ground me throughout the day.
Motivation
Just to think of my to-do list, I used to mechanically pause another question, “what should I do today?” I intentionally changed it to “what do I want to do today?” in my Morning Pages to add more curiosity and zest to my motivation and attitude.
Creativity
The Morning Pages is just like free writing where I might discover untapped ideas or light-bulbs in the process. Or even some soon-to-be-developed ideas in the back of my head could come out in new ways when I do the Morning Pages. Sometimes, I start drawing diagrams or mindmaps on the side too.
Community
I run the Writing Circle (co-working space for writing) regularly, where some participants have worked on their Morning Pages. It’s been great to hear their intention of writing Morning Pages at the beginning of sessions. I feel even more encouraged and reassured of such an important task when I share the time and space with peers.
Finally…
The two biggest differences between my old journaling and the Morning Pages are: 1) the intention of bringing myself to the serene space; and 2) the consistency of the practice that I could easily do. It is about transforming my state of being and checking in with my self-talk on a regular basis.
Why do I still call the practice “Morning Pages” even though I don’t follow everything that Julia Cameron says? I like the sound of it – “Morning” in these words because it is a MORNING ritual. I also like all the ideas that Cameron brings too, even including longhand and 3-page writing although I will stick with my modified version for now.
Image by dae jeung kim from Pixabay