I first learned of Morning Pages from the book The Creative Call, by Janice Elsheimer. (Janice credits Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way for this idea.) Initially, I wondered what could be written on pages that I wouldn’t pen in my prayer journal, but I soon learned each has their own place.
When journaling prayers, I write directly to my heavenly Father. The simple act of putting pen to paper helps me stay focused on Him, not the blaring buzz of the dryer. Some days my words skim the surface like a skier on slick water. Other times, they wear wetsuits, delving deeply into corners of my life. Regardless, thought is required, as is true for any prayer time.
Morning Pages, at least for me, is the opposite as it provides an outlet for something that doesn’t come easy for me—free writing. No checking grammar, thinking it through or searching for “just the right word” with these pages. It’s simply putting pen to paper and writing whatever comes to mind.
Nicky Hajal refers to this process as “Slicing the Brain Loops” in his top-notch post, 5 Reasons Why You Should Write Morning Pages – Right Now!:
your mind you seem to go over it again and again and again? You think
through the same dreaded scenario over and over and just can’t shake it
off. On the contrary, each go around reinforces the pattern.
I call these brain loops and they’re devastating to actually
accomplishing important tasks. They’re energy being spent, taking you no
where – like revving a car while it’s still in park.
I can’t explain it but the moment you take a thought and type it out,
it simply feels wrong to loop through that thought process again. Your
brain moves onto other things, either probing further into whatever that
loop was about or considering more important subjects.”
Morning Pages isn’t just for writers or creative thinkers. “Dumping” thoughts on a few pages each day is helpful in clearing the mind for a productive day.
Oddly enough, I plan to shift my Morning Pages to Evening Pages for a while. I think a clear mind is a restful one, and I need all the rest I can get these days.
You can use a journal, notebook, or loose-leaf paper. There’s an advantage in writing longhand but if for whatever reason you’re unable to do so, type away! I made a special trip to Target, visited my favorite department (office supplies), and chose an inspiring 1-1/2″ binder by Pink Chandelier. How could I not be inspired by a name like that?
So, here’s the challenge! Beginning Monday, June 16th, would you be willing to give Morning Pages a try for two weeks? Simply leave a comment on this post letting me know you’re in! Then, jump in with both feet next Monday, jotting down any positive things you learn about Morning Pages along the way. Email those to me on June 30th and I’ll feature them in my July 3rd post.
I’ll also enter the names of those who email their insights on June 30th into a drawing for something you’re sure to enjoy on your Morning Pages journey.
Who’s in?
Count me in! I'm in sore need of some mindless writing time.
Yea! Count yourself in. I may have to post this on Facebook. If Edie is in, we should all be in. 🙂
Have a great weekend, my friend!
Count me in! Hope this challenge will help clear some cobwebs.
I'm in. I also try to do morning pages when my brain is loaded with prayer requests BEFORE I pray. Sometimes when I'm done with the morning pages, I just point to them and say – Okay, Lord, that's all that is on my heart so NOW let's you and I chat about other things.
Love it, Lori! Great idea…
Welcome to the challenge. Much love from SC.
Consider yourself counted, Dee Dee! Goodbye cobwebs…hello clarity. 🙂
I love that we're all doing this together.
Okay, I'll give it a go, even though I'm abysmal at journaling.
Wheeeeeee!!!
Yea Judith! Welcome. 🙂 I look forward to hearing about your Morning Pages journey.
Blessings!
Wheeeee indeed, Dee Dee! 🙂
Thank you for your welcome, Cathy. And thank you for the links to Nickie's explanatory posts. Read them through and signed up at 750Words. Then wrote about 150 words to remind me why I did this and what I hope to accomplish.
Will be writing five days a week, not seven, unless the Muse hits. I'm looking at this as if it were a paid job. We'll see how it goes.
I have been doing this for about a year. It does help clear your thoughts but it does take time, for me about forty five minutes to an hour. Get a reasonable size tablet, a regular book size one works good for me. Then sit back and see what's on your mind. Good luck. I have really enjoyed it.
I've been meaning to check out the 750 Words post as well, Judith. I will be shooting for 5 Days of Morning Pages.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you're already off to a great start. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Tim! It usually takes me about 20 minutes. Maybe I don't have enough thoughts to "dump." ha!!!
Have a nice weekend. 🙂
I'm in my friend. I'm excited to read the posts you linked. One of the things I want to work on is being about to write a little faster and I think this will help get me moving. I think I am going to do this in a draft on my blog so I can cut and paste anything I want to use as a blog post. Thanks for posting.
Welcome aboard, Ginger! I look forward to seeing if it helps in that specific area as well. 🙂
Me! I'm in! Starting right now.
Yea, Tammie! Welcome. 🙂
Happy writing!!
I'm not doing well with "morning" pages. But I've written 1902 words so far. And I've not written today because I'm snowed under with other work at the moment. Will be doing "evening" pages for the 16th. I don't typically get a single chunk of time. But I am getting 700+ words a day, which is a major improvement for me.
Congrats, Judith! Getting 700 pages done, especially for someone who doesn't have chunks of time to write, is a victory. I'll be doing some "evening" pages as well. Nothing wrong with that!
Thanks for the update. 🙂