A while back I wrote about writer and director, Julia Cameron, who wrote The Artist’s Way. This is a great big book full of exercises designed to free your inner artist and unleash your creativity. Before you begin her exercises, she describes two essential tools you must adapt into your life. The first is that we take a weekly Artist Date in order to awaken and nurture our inner artist. The Artist Date is something fun that we do on our own; it can be anything from hitting golf balls at the driving range to window shopping through our favorite antique shops. You can read my article here for more information.
The second essential tool recommended by Julia Cameron is Morning Pages. She describes them as ”three pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness” done first thing in the morning (p25). She also describes the exercise as a brain drain.
I began writing my own morning pages a little over a year ago. I bought a simple composition book for the task. At first it was difficult for me to fill three pages. I followed Cameron’s advice to write stream of consciousness, which sometimes would be just listing exactly what I was doing in the moment (I am sitting here in the guest room, writing these pages, sleepy, and noticing that the dresser needs dusting); eventually I would break through to the bigger stuff that needed purging. I could feel a difference in my life after writing the morning pages for just one week. I had more clarity. I had a deeper sense of stillness. I felt more focused.
I want to share the reasons Julia Cameron provides for writing morning pages. They all are a call to action:
“All that angry, whiny, petty stuff that you write down in the AM stands between you and your creativity…this stuff eddies through your subconscious and muddies our days. Get it on the page” (p26).
“The morning pages are the primary tool of a creative recovery. As blocked artists, we tend to criticize ourselves mercilessly. Even if we look like functioning artists to the world, we feel we never do enough and what we do isn’t right. We are victims of our own internalized perfectionist, a nasty internal and eternal critic, the Censor, who resides in our (left) brain and keeps up a constant stream of subversive remarks that are often disguised as the truth” (p26). “So you drew your first sketch? The Censor says, ‘It’s not Picasso.’” “The point is to stop taking the Censor as the voice of reason and learn to hear it for the blocking device that it is. Morning pages will help you to do this” (p27).
“Morning pages do get us to the other side: the other side of our fear, our negativity, of our moods. Above all, they get us beyond our Censor. Beyond the reach of the Censor’s babble we find our own quiet center, the place where we hear the still, small voice that is at once our creator’s and our own” (p28).
“It may be useful for you to think of the morning pages as meditation…The pages may not seem spiritual or even meditative—more like negative and materialistic, actually—but they are a valid form of meditation that gives us insight and helps us effect change in our lives…We meditate to discover our own identity, our right place in the scheme of the universe. Through meditation, we acquire and eventually acknowledge our connection to an inner power source that has the ability to transform our outer world. In other words, meditation gives us not only the light of insight but also the power for expansive change” (p29-30).
“It is impossible to write morning pages for any extended period of time without coming into contact with an unexpected inner power. Although I used them for many years before I realized this, the pages are a pathway to a strong sense and clear sense of self. They are a trail that we follow into our own interior…Anyone who faithfully writes morning pages will be led to a connection with a source of wisdom within” (p31).
Thank you, Julia Cameron! Thank you for The Artist’s Way!
When you write your morning pages, all your mental banter is written on the page and stays there. It’s wonderful. You can let out your frustrations, complain, rant…without bringing down anyone else. Conversely, you can spill out your joy and happiness and watch as it all becomes illuminated on the page.
According to Cameron, morning pages are non-negotiable. They must be done everyday, as soon as you roll out of bed. I attempted this but found that I couldn’t manage the task everyday, first thing in the morning, with my schedule. My good friend very sweetly renamed my pages “The Daily Pages” and suggested I write them whenever I can. I try my best to write everyday and if I can do it in the morning, that is my preference. Sometimes I get to it, sometimes I don’t. I just pick up where I left off the next time if I missed a day. This is not another thing I “should” be doing that ends up causing me to feel guilty when I don’t. Actually, writing these pages has become part of the fabric of my life; I look forward to them. They are a meditation for me. They might be for you, too! I encourage you to do the morning pages for a week or two and notice the difference you experience in your own life. Morning pages benefit everyone. We all are artists. We all are crafting our lives.
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To those of you who have been leaving such thoughtful, remarkable comments, thank you! Turning these posts into conversations makes my heart sing! I have been out of town and finally replied to all outstanding comments last night. Please excuse me for the delay!
Hi Jodi,
As much as I think to myself – “where will I find time for this” – I also do believe very much what you’re saying here. I have tried meditation briefly, and unsuccessfully – even though it felt so right to do at the time. Maybe this, the act of writing, without regard for thinking this will be a post, or go into a book – maybe that’s really what I do need to clear through some of the clutter. Jodi, I’m going to try. I know that doesn’t sound too convincing on my part. Know, though, that I am reading here today and I really do see , in my heart, how good this can be. Thanks so much for sharing it here. Connecting more deeply with myself is something I’m really focusing on right now, and this just really seems to fit so well…thank you.
Oh Jodi I LOVE this book – and Julia! I am a journal junkie – can you believe 45 yrs worth? Yes! Every day! Rare is the occasion I’d miss it. I taught journal writing classes for years – and used Julia’s book when it came along in the 90’s. This is the best darn therapy in the world – you can see patterns emerging over time, both in thought and deed, set goals, dump anger and frustration – yikes – couldn’t live without this! I hope all your readers give it a go! I’d also recommend Christina Baldwin’s books. Thanks for a great post! May journaling (or Morning Pages) catch on!
Jodi,
I started journaling in earnest back in 2002…the year my life was going to hell in a hand basket. I now don’t know what I’d do without my trusty wire bound notebooks.
Sometimes I go through my one from 2006 – that brings happy memories flooding back…the ones prior to that…not so great memories…
I like the idea of spending 10 minutes every morning stream of semi-conscious writing…the last time I did a 10 minute “just write” exercise I literally got lost in the space – time continium. I had over three pages of stuff written…and 10 minutes felt like 10 seconds.
Well…it’s time for me to go write now!
xxoo
I was told about Julia Cameron and her book a few years ago (and I still haven’t read it). I love what I’m seeing though (and thank you for transcribing!). I especially loved how she wrote that SOC writing is a form of meditation. Some people would have us believe that you can only meditate in a certain way. I’ve found it’s simply not true! As was pointed out, meditation is a way of going more deeply within ourselves and whether that’s SOC writing each day, sitting, standing, laying or singing — our intentions are where the rubber meets the road.
I also loved your closing paragraph about comments — I’ve been having similar thoughts lately, wishing I could even hug some of you who make me feel supported, valuable, and add energy to what I love (writing)! So well put, Jodi! As always.
Hi Lance!
I am glad that this post resonated with you. I am glad that you are going to give morning pages a shot! I would add though, that if it’s not a good fit for you, that’s certainly okay! However you choose to connect with yourself and clear away that mental clutter is the best way for you! My husband’s form of morning pages is running on the treadmill at night after work–we all have to find our own way. Another point I want to make is that I think the morning pages train our minds to know the difference between our negative, repetitive mental banter and our inner voice. Once you can easily differentiate the two, perhaps writing your morning pages everyday isn’t as necessary. Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress!
Hi Suzen!
You bring so much energy to your comments! Thank you for that! 45 years worth of journaling is impressive!! Great job! No wonder you sound so radiant! I will check out Christina Baldwin, thank you for the recommendation!
Hi Peggy!
I can imagine going back in time and reviewing your writing would bring back tough memories (having read your story on Serendipity Smiles). I really admire you for reaching inside yourself and spilling out your story in those notebooks. Life doesn’t get more honest than that. And now you are living this amazing, remarkable life and you are a strong woman who inspires countless others, myself included! It’s interesting the paths our lives take; I am glad you have a recorded history.
Hi Megan!
I have had Julia Cameron’s book for a little over a year, too and I still haven’t done her exercises–so far the artist date and morning/daily pages have provided plenty of inspiration! I am only now beginning to understand how important it is that we understand meditation comes in many forms and that we need not confine ourselves to the traditionally defined versions. Hallelujah!
Hi Jodi,
I will share that one of my forms of morning pages…after seeing the comment about your husband – is biking. From spring through fall, I try to get out a couple of times a week, and early morning rides are always (always) so good for me, and for connecting back to what truly matters. Something I think about being out in the woods, quiet, no one around – that really does it. That said, this only happens two or three times a week, and only during the “nicer” Wisconsin weather. So…supplementing this will certainly be good. I’ll keep you posted…
Hi Jodi – It was nice to hear I bring energy to my comments – glad it shows up SOMEWHERE, haha! I’m kind of amazed at all the years of journaling I’ve done myself. I even name them – I know, it’s nuts – and have had a few summer solistices where I’ve had a great bonfire with them – of course after purging thru them for interesting content to write about further. Some years it’s more therapeutic to let them go up in flames – you know what I am talking about.
Hi Lance,
I love your description of riding your bike through the woods! That’s wonderful! Definitely keep us posted on your progress of writing to fill in the gaps. (Oh, and I will admit I have found it more difficult to fit my morning/daily pages in since starting my blog since this is also the place where I process my thoughts. Balance is the key.)
Hi Suzen,
I can tell we would get along great. I like your sense of humor! I still can’t get over how long you have been journaling–and that you name them–that’s great! And I’m all for purging, that’s definitely therapeutic! Talk about letting go!! Yay you!!