My Love Affair With Morning Pages

What they are and why you should do them

It’s early morning.

Well, it’s 9 am, which feels like dawn to me.

Most nights, I don’t go to bed before 2 am. I love the quietness of everyone sleeping — the silence of the usually noisy roads. No honking. No one talking. Paradise. The moon illuminates my kitchen window. I like to write on the small brown desk pushed against the wall. The faint desk light keeps me company, together with my pup curled up at my feet.

I don't want to get out of bed, it’s cold out, and the coziness of the three layers of warm blankets hug me like an octopus with its many arms wrapped wound my body.

Then I remember the morning pages. I can’t miss those. I won’t miss those. I have been writing them ever since I can remember, and I can’t thank Julia Cameron enough for urging me to do that in her brilliant book, “The Artist’s Way. “

So what is this all about?

Morning pages are a form of free writing used as a tool for self-discovery, creativity, and personal growth.

The concept is simple: each morning, before starting your day, you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness texts — the old way, with pen and paper. You don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or even making sense. Instead, you get the words out of your head and onto the page as they come. Unfiltered. Unquestioned. Unjudged.

How liberating is that?

Think of these pages as a “brain drain” or “brain dump,” if you will.

This process allows you to let go of any negative thoughts, worries, or fears that may be blocking your creativity and productivity — or simply fogging your judgment.

By letting your thoughts, feelings, and emotions out of your brain and into the paper, you clear your mind, so you can start your day with more focus and sharpness.

The key is not to worry about your writing; let the words flow. Remember, this is not a writing exercise but a tool for self-discovery and creativity.

I like to think of these few moments with myself, my pen, and my notebook — jasmine tea on the side — as a sacred time of self-reflection. A check-in with myself. How am I doing? What’s working for me? What is stuck like a piece of gum into my bangs? Am I doing what I am supposed to? Am I overthinking?

In full disclosure, my brain usually does her job correctly. She thinks, She organizes. She plans. But when I tell her to stop and give me a break, most of the time, she obeys.

It didn't use to be this way. I used to be her victim.

Moving from one feeling to another, one thought to the next like a monkey trapped in a cage jumping this way, and that was my modus operandi on most days. And nights. Sigh.

I found my peace when I let go of control.

When I realized, once and for all, there is very little we are in charge of. I know, I know, we like to feel important and necessary, as if the functioning of things depends on us. It doesn’t.

And I don't mean this from a “poor me” point of view. On the contrary! It’s liberating to realize that you don’t have to hold the pressure of the whole world on your human shoulders. They are not meant for it. Give them a break!

As I got older, I suddenly became aware, like a flashlight turned on in a room with all the curtains drawn in, that opening to grace and letting things unfold how they are supposed to, is the key to making life work for you.

The adage “going with the flow” sounds corny; that’s right. Have you tried it, though?

Another benefit of morning pages is that they can help you foster creativity and inspiration. By giving yourself the time and space to write freely each day, new ideas and projects begin to emerge. You can also use your morning pages to brainstorm and generate ideas for your creative pursuits.

Moral of the story,

morning pages are a simple yet powerful tool to help you improve mental clarity, foster self-discovery, and boost creativity. Think of them as a silent, gentle firecracker that makes space inside your brain.

If you want to start your day with focus and inspiration, give them a try. And let me know how they work for you, will you?

Thanks for reading.

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