The Magic of Morning Pages
In June 2021, after letting Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way sit on my bookshelf for 20 years, I finally made my way through the book. I hope you won’t stop reading because you’ve seen the word “artist.” The author posits that we are all creative beings. And I agree.
Especially relevant to No. 1s, is this quote:
Many of us find that we have squandered our own creative energies by investing disproportionately in the lives, hopes, dreams and plans of others.
Sound familiar? Back to June 2021. I did the entire 12-week program that is premised on two practices – an artist’s date (more on that in another email) and morning pages.
What are morning pages?
Three pages of writing. Yes, three. Handwritten pages. Stream of consciousness. Whatever is on your mind. Messy, grumpy, angry, sad, excited, worried. Anything and everything. Written every morning. Even when you don’t want to. I have pages that say, “I don’t want to write today. This is nonsense.”
What is the purpose of morning pages?
Julia says that “morning pages are the primary tool of creative recovery.” I promise you that in fact that’s what they were for me. A healing and discovery process that has helped me commit to being a writer for the first time in my life. For anyone, the morning pages can be a safe and confidential place to explore, heal, or uncover.
Will I need to do this for the rest of my life?
Maybe, if you want. I come back to the practice every now and then, when I’m feeling stuck with something - in life or in writing. I use them as a written brainstorm, or as a way to process thoughts and questions. I do think you need to do the whole 12 weeks first. To make your way to morning pages as a practice.
As I write this, I am contemplating starting the 12-week program again later this year. If I do, I’ll invite you to take the journey with me.
Until then, here are some tools/tips to get started on your own.
Treat yourself to a new journal and pen. Check out some of my favorite journals for morning pages here or here. I recommend a softcover that goes with you everywhere.
Design a morning routine. Morning pages with coffee and your favorite treat. Morning pages next to a candle that transports you somewhere.
Buy the book or the audio course. (A word of caution: Julia talks about spirituality and God throughout. This is one aspect of the book that may not work for many of you. Work through/around it. I believe that she is right in saying “The Artist’s Way is a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage home to the self.”)
Happy discovering,
Sayu