Daily Morning Pages Journaling in 7 Easy Steps
Maybe you’ve heard of Morning pages journaling but do not know what it’s all about?! Or perhaps you are looking for new ways to incorporate some quality time for yourself each morning.
Journaling can play a significant role in self-care.
If you are interested in adding journaling to your morning self-care routine, then morning pages journaling might be the perfect solution for you.
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Morning pages journaling can help improve your mental clarity and productivity.
Morning pages journaling is a great way to start your day, clear your mind, and get your creative juices flowing!
If you’re not sure how to start a morning pages journal or what to write about, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered!
I have been doing morning pages consistently for a few months now, and I have to say they make a great addition to my morning routine.
I think everyone can benefit from doing morning pages journaling!
Everything I know about Morning Pages Journaling:
What are Morning Pages?
In her book, The Artists Way, Julia Cameron describes morning pages as three pages of longhand stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning.
The key is not to overthink it and to be consistent as you can
There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages. The key is not to overthink and be as consistent as possible. It takes a little bit of time to get into a groove and to feel the benefits.
How to get started with morning pages:
-Do your morning pages first thing in the morning
-Use a pen that you love if you can
-Write about anything and everything that crosses your mind. ANYTHING.
–Write quickly (longhand works best) without judgment of neatness.
–Don’t think, write.
-Your morning pages are for your eyes only. Be free.
-Give it at least a month and let the practice take hold
The benefits of morning pages
- They help clear my mind of all the clutter– Cameron says, “The pages are intended to sweep our consciousness clean.” And I believe it’s true!
- Writing my thoughts helps me process my feelings– Letting my thoughts flow allows me to tap into and process my deeper, sometimes hidden feelings. -Julia says, ‘The pages are a pathway to a strong and clear sense of self.” I love that
- Doing a brain dump seems to spark my creativity– Writing and writing for three pages seem to make space for new creative ideas, which has been super helpful as I’ve been struggling with some serious creative blocks lately. #2020
” You don’t think about what you’re writing -you write about what your thinking.”
How to do Morning Pages Journaling:
- I do my morning pages as soon as I can after I wake up. But, first, I drink a big glass of water, take my meds, grab my coffee, and head to my usual morning spot. My morning spot is my happy place.
- I have a journal and my favorite pen at the ready that I use ONLY for my morning pages. (and a special stash place for them since morning pages are private and for my eyes only)
- I listen to none lyrical music while I write my morning pages most of the time. Listening to music helps me to relax and let go. And the words seem to flow easier.
- I date the top of the first page, and off I go! I write my morning pages in longhand and as quickly as possible. I don’t think-I write. It takes a little practice.
- When finished with my morning pages, I stash my journal (remember, your morning pages journal is for your eyes only!) and continue with the rest of my morning routine.
Related articles: The Benefits of Meditation
Are Morning Pages Worth the time?
Yes, yes, yes! Morning Pages are more than worth the time! It only takes about 5-15 minutes to do morning pages.
It depends on the day and how much I’ve got rattling around in my head. For me, it’s worth every second of the time it takes.
Decide on the time that fits into your morning and set a timer. If it’s just one minute, then OK. If you only write half a page instead of 3- it’s okay.
Do what you can. Whatever time you can commit to morning pages is excellent.
Morning Pages Journaling Tips:
Don’t edit your thoughts. Let your thoughts flow. No matter how crazy or seemingly “weird”, the ideas are…do your best not to edit them. Tell your inner critic to hush.
AH-HA! Sometimes my pages include observations and thoughts from the day before or even an epiphany! These are blessings from heaven.
Don’t worry about neatness or punctuation. When I first started, I was self-conscious about neatness (because I am a recovering perfectionist), but after a few days, I found it super freeing to write without judging how it looks or what I’m writing.
Even though I date my pages, I rarely go back and read them. And when I have, there was no benefit in doing so. Instead, I have found that it’s the act of writing the pages that help my heart, mind, and soul.
Related article: 31 Daily Journaling Prompts
Morning Pages Prompts
Sometimes I find myself sitting with my pen in hand, staring at the blank page. That’s when using a few prompts may help to get things started.
Morning Pages Journaling Prompts:
- What do you see around you? Think about small details
- How do you feel? (Ie: happy, unsettled, excited, etc.)
- Do you remember your dreams from last night?
- Is there something bothering you?
- Close your eyes. What do you hear? (Ie: the dishwasher, wind chimes, etc.)
- What are you grateful for? Think of at least three things
- What scares you the most?
- Name three people you would like to reach out to.
- Who has been a positive influence in your life? Why?
- What are your gifts and talents? How could you use them?
- What do you feel passionate about?
- Name one thing that makes you angry. Why?
- Is there something that you are worried about?
- Do a body scan. What comes to mind?
- Name three things you would like to accomplish this year
- What do you like about yourself the most?
- What would you like to improve about yourself?
- Write ten bucket list ideas.
I’ve found journaling prompts to be very helpful. It’s a good idea to make a list of prompts in the front or back of your journal to have them ready if and when you get stuck.
Morning Pages App
Yep! There is an app for everything these days! However, I have not tried this app because I love an old-school journal with paper and pen.
I have heard that many folks like this one, so I wanted to provide the link if you’re going to try it. It’s $2.99 per month, which seems affordable, and it has a free 7-day trial.
Morning Pages Daily Journal: Morning pages-daily journal
Give Morning Pages Journaling Practice a Try!
How do you feel about morning pages journaling? Do you have you’d like to give morning pages journaling a try?
I would love to hear what you think. Please share your thoughts about morning pages in the comments below!
Until next time, be well!
What a brilliant idea! I used to do a similar thing before bed, but I imagine it’s very helpful for getting the creative juices flowing in the morning as well. I’ll definitely be trying to incorporate this into my morning routine.
Loved every bit of this read. I have been doing morning pages on and off as part of a morning routine. Ever since I started writing, I haven’t been doing a lot of morning pages though, because I already write so much during the day. This post might have just sparked my inspiration to get started again 🙂 I love the idea of choosing a pen that you love (I am the girl that goes to the bookstore and tests pens for 10 mins before buying one, so I genuinely feel this one!) and to keep your journal for your eyes only. Only is we truly feel free, we can get that sense of true creativity and relief. Thank you for all the inspiration! Love, Susanne
I’m developing the habit of journaling and it’s going well so far. This will help me as well. Thank you for sharing!
Great post! I was writing in the morning a while ago, but following a restrictive (for me) plan. I like yours better! I’m going to start again for sure.
I started journaling beginning on the year and my life changed! Thanks for this
I so love my morning pages! Such a great way to ‘clean up’ your mind. Morning pages have become part of my morning routine. I like to combine it with meditation after. Really changed my life for the better!
Hello christine
Thanks so much, I was never much of a writer, but as I got older, I realized I needed to journal my thoughts, day, emotions.
But, I always do it in pieces of colourful stick it notes and I end up loosing the papers, I can only have so many pieces of paper.
But after reading your post, I`m so excited to start journaling,but instead of just morining journaling, I hope to be able to do it atleast twice daily.
Anyway, really informative and inspiring, thanks once again for sharing-