The Artist's Way: Morning Pages

The Morning Pages are the primary tool Julia Cameron engages to move through creative blocks, or to discover our inner creativity and passions. You sit down first thing in the morning and you write 3 pages about anything and everything. Much of our day is spent with a constant stream of anxieties, to-do lists, and replays of yesterday's activities. When we take the time to sit down and put the swirling chaos of thoughts down on paper, we free our minds up for what is really important to us. Yesterday's irritation at your friend - it's thought through, down on paper, and off your mind. By channeling these thoughts out on paper, we free up so much more space for intuition and creativity.

The Morning Pages assist with more than cleaning house in the mind. The less of the clutter we have to write more, the more we begin to write about what is important, what stirs our passions, what our goals are, and helps clarify our direction for the future. The Morning Pages are the way to clear the traffic off the free way to DRIVE.

1. Write the Morning Pages first thing every morning.
2. Write the Morning Pages in long-hand with a pen and journal.
3. Complete 3 full pages, 8 1/2 x 11 journals (Or 4 pages, 6 x 9 inch journals)
4. Do not pause to think about what you want to write, just Write.

Early last year I was in the midst of writing a Master's Thesis and I was stuck. Four months in and I had read all of my resources, taken all of my notes, and I felt like I couldn't form a single coherent sentence for my proposal. I would go into my office in the morning, look at all my notes and feel defeated. I had another year of writing and research, so something had to change.

One day I found myself in my local bookstore, which is something I often do for a pick-me-up. I was browsing the spirituality section when I scanned past The Artists's Way: Creativity as a Spiritual Path. Really?? Using active creativity as means of spiritual practice? I had to read more. I took the book home and I was transformed.

The Morning Pages seemed like an excruciating task - I can barely function in the morning. But I tried it and discovered immediate results! I learned the ability to sit down and "just write." It didn't have to be brilliant, but it did have to be something. I could now sit down with the topic of that days chapter and just write about it. Of course it still required a fair bit of editing, but I was able to get lots of meaty content down on paper!

Morning pages helped more than my Thesis study. Through my morning ramblings I was able to identify areas were I was spending needless energy, discover new interests, and unearth old adored hobbies. The extra creative projects I would do (cooking, painting, gemwork) all improved my writing as I felt I was becoming an open, willing space for intuitive creativity. It doesn't matter how "creative" you feel you are, or are not, the Morning Pages are useful for everyone! Give it a shot!

Photo from The Fairy Cafe

1. Create a ritual out of the Morning Pages. Have a favorite location, a favorite pen and your favorite beverage. This is your sacred time.
2. Don't let anything distract you in the morning - go straight to it. The more you try to fit in before, the less likely you will complete it.
3. Just start writing, even if you don't feel like it. Most often once you get started you will keep on going. Those are probably the mornings when you need it most!
4. Carry your journal with you when you travel and continue the ritual. One of my favorite vacations involved sunrises, coffee, Morning Pages and a great view of the beach!
5. Find a lovely, fantastic journal! Find one that you love to look at and adore carrying. The more attractive the journal, the more likely you are to pick it up. You can also get a refillable journal cover!