Clear Your Mind With Morning Pages

Do you ever feel just “off”, blocked or like the little things are becoming big things?

Are you beating yourself up and cycling through negative thought patterns that are exhausting?

Are you turning to food to soothe and discovering it doesn’t solve the problem?

Whenever this happens to me, I know my energy is not grounded and the chatter in my mind has taken over.

It’s time to go within, clean house and get the gunk out.

Recently, through my health coaching certification, I heard Julia Cameron, author of the International Bestselling book, The Artist’s Way, speak about Morning Pages. It’s a tool she’s practised for over 35 years and taught worldwide to help millions of people with everything from creative breakthroughs to weight loss and addictions.

I became so inspired by her deep wisdom that I began Morning Pages two weeks ago and I’m loving them! They help me dump my thoughts onto paper first thing in the morning so I go about the rest of my day with more clarity, peace and focus. Through writing Morning Pages, I’m finding answers to decisions I’m making in my business and life.

Dare I say they are the cheapest and most effective form of self-help therapy around. Now I invite you to try them.

Here’s how to do Morning Pages:

Each morning first thing, write three pages (8.5 X 11) long-hand before you do anything else. 

The idea is that when you are half awake and half asleep you have access to your sub-conscious mind and inner wisdom before your ego wakes up and applies its defenses.

Write about whatever shows up and allow it to be a string of random thoughts.

Complete three pages ( no more) and go on with your day. No need to revisit and re-read what you wrote.

Your Morning Pages might start like this:

“I feel tired. My low back is sore. I need to buy a new pillow. I have no idea what I’m doing. I really should do some yoga today. Remember to take in the dry cleaning. I wonder what Bonnie meant when she made that comment about me not coming to the party. It’s really bothering me. I want to ask her about that. We need to change those awful curtains in this room. I saw some great ones on sale at Pottery Barn. I have no idea what to write. Do these Morning Pages even work? I don’t have time for this. I’m going to have a smoothie for breakfast. I loved that episode on TV last night. I’m really frustrated with my weight. I can’t seem to get it together. Mental note: Phone bookkeeper this week.”

You get the point… total random thoughts. That’s how your mind works anyways. Julia asks that it be handwritten because most of us type faster than we write and the idea is to slow down the emotional capturing. She also says do 3 pages. After about 1 and 1/2 pages, you may hit a block. Keep writing. Write that you don’t know what to write.

That’s when the real accessing begins, and the conversation moves from gunk to gold.

Benefits of Morning Pages:

  1. You dump your mental chatter on paper and don’t have it floating in your head.
  2. You become more clear because the mental clutter is gone.
  3. You process emotions and situations and often are moved to take action (because frankly, who wants to keep writing about them day after day?)
  4. You become more accepting and compassionate of yourself.
  5. You begin to tap into your inner wisdom.
  6. You can ask questions that your Inner Wise Self will answer either that day or sometimes days later.
  7. Because you are processing emotions, you aren’t as inclined to need other numbing or stuffing activities like binge eating, alcohol, shopping, etc.
  8. You access parts of you that you’ve forgotten — like hobbies you love, creative pursuits, dreams, childhood memories, etc.

The goal is to do them everyday, not just when you feel like it and ideally at the same time each day. Like so many things, it’s the cumulative effect that matters. Morning Pages are not meant to be analyzed or reviewed. Julia recommends getting rid of them and definitely keeping them private.

I love her wisdom in this short video on Morning Pages.

Ready to Try Morning Pages for 30 Days?

Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier. Find a cozy spot on your favourite chair and before you drink coffee or eat anything, let it all out! I’d love to hear what happens when you gift yourself this treat.

  • Do you have more clarity?
  • Do the little things bother you less?
  • Can you deal with stress better?
  • Are you just happier?
  • Do you feel more connected to Self and Spirit?
  • Are you finding solutions to problems you’ve faced?

Let me know in the comments below. Here’s to clearer minds and grounded hearts.

Love,
Paula

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About the Author

Paula Onysko is a money & business coach with 20 years of experience as a successful multi six-figure entrepreneur. Combining her corporate business background with coaching and communications expertise, Paula helps soulful entrepreneurs create more income with ease, flow and fun. She guides them to expand their money mindset, create compelling offers, message their magic and sell the soulful way. Discover how she can help you.

5 thoughts on “Clear Your Mind With Morning Pages”

  1. Paula, thanks for sharing this. It seems like a brilliant idea. I write in a gratitude journal at the end of the day and this seems like a great way to start the day. I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply
    • Wonderful Wendy! Yes, please do let me know. I’ve found that writing in the morning has greater impact on creating space for a magical day!

      Keep me posted on how it goes. With Love, Paula

      Reply
  2. Hi Paula,

    I have been doing Morning Pages for the last couple of weeks and I love them. But I had no idea that it is better to write them by hand…

    So, when I found this blog/post last night I made a deal with myself that I am going to try the hand-written MP this morning.

    I really like it!

    But I have a question: it says 3 pages – does that mean 3 sheets of paper or front-back-front? I tried it with front-back-front-back and still had stuff to say 🙂 (I normally write 3 computer-written pages which might add up to 6 handwritten pages?)

    I am a bit confused… Maybe you could bring some light into it…

    Thank you!

    Marina

    PS: Love your beautiful site!

    Reply
    • Marina,

      Thanks so much for your warm feedback on my site! Bless your beautiful heart.

      According to Julia, it’s three single pages, not 6. I confirmed that on Julia’s site. http://juliacameronlive.com/2012/09/20/morning-pages-why-3-pages/ I don’t think it hurts to go longer if you have more to say. But perhaps it also teaches your brain to be more efficient and decisive to do only 3? I’m curious about that. My invitation is to experiment with the magic of only 3 pages and stop writing. See what happens!

      Have a sparkling day Marina!
      Love, Paula

      Reply

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