I tried writing morning pages for 30 days

Everyone keeps calling morning pages life changing... so I decided to give them a try. Spoiler: they're worth it.

✨ Free Morning Pages Prompts on My Blog ✨

Are you going to give them a try? Let me know in the comments!

0:00 Intro
1:00 How to write morning pages
6:56 Benefits
11:24 Final thoughts

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[judithfernandes]

I have that book. I tried this routine. I did not have the same results. That much writing uninhibited became a place to be really negative. As soon as I gave room to that kind of thinking it escalated and wound me up to set me on a horrible path for the day. My emotions became all negative. Today, I still have a routine of being with a journal each morning but I limit the run away negativity by sticking to listing things to be grateful for and checklists like to do lists. For me, the way to be optimistic all day is to practice on purpose. I am leaving this comment because it took me awhile before I realized I was getting the opposite results and I want others understand that it is OK if it doesn’t work for them.

[ddresely]

I found The Artists Way in the 90’s and started writing in 1998. I’m now on volume 108 (I use a standard journal with 256 pages) and will hit my 25th anniversary soon. It has evolved for me over the years. I have periods of creativity, periods of introspection and periods of mundane daily review. I still enjoy and believe in the process.

[nurjeanchaneco]

did morning pages for 10 years. then i stopped. now i want to go back. totally helped me with my anxiety

[mariusnecula]

I tried the morning pages routine a few years ago. I was more like a night owl back then, so I used to write them at night, before going to bed. I remember it was hard to fill those three pages, in the beginning, but after a few weeks of doing it, I sometimes got into a flow in which I couldn't recognize my own thoughts. It's hard to explain, it felt like reading someone else's ideas, someone with a different thinking pattern. Did you ever have this experience?

[sunnywiderman]

I'm one of those people who says this practice changed my life, and I'm leaving this comment in case anyone is on the fence. Specifically, I credit them with the fact that I speak a second language now (which I didn't realize I wanted to learn until my own writing revealed it to me); play an instrument (ditto) and have musician friends I can jam with; identified and consciously overcame my self-image issues so that I was able to approach people, with the result that I am now in a loving, fulfilling relationship (about to reach our 8th anniversary).

I started exactly this way: 30 days, no skipping, in the hopes of setting a new habit. That was nearly 15 years ago. I have filled 61 books to date. The pages clear the clutter out of my head, help me find mental and emotional quiet to start my day, and identify likes and priorities, much as you mention here.

I don't have a therapist (can't afford one) and I 100% believe that the Pages have become my therapist, by revealing myself to me, and often uncovering a deeper wisdom that I can follow, instead of the frenetic fretting and darting of my usual thoughts. I feel like I get to meet myself, have a quiet, deep conversation with myself, every day.

I'm also a proponent of longhand for this practice, even though I'm an extremely fast typist and do everything else with a keyboard. I agree that writing by hand slows you down to the mental equivalent of a walking pace, very conducive to being thoughtful. A secondary benefit is that my handwriting provides visual feedback revealing my my emotional state. Anger makes me write one way; optimism another. When I feel tied up in knots, my handwriting comes out small and cramped; balanced, the writing becomes fluid and generous; angry, and it's big and angular.

Everyone does this a little differently. Here's what I kept from Cameron's guidance: I do write in the mornings, to start the day; I write longhand; I write a set number of pages. My version is that I write four pages of a 8"x6" lined journal. I use a fountain pen, not to be pretentious but because after trying a lot of different implements I found that fountain pens allow me to go fast (ballpoints have too much friction) and that the look of the filled page pleases me (gel pens are too even, compared to fountain pens' rhythm of heavier and thinner ink placement - ink pools a little; and pencil is too faint). It's not always the first thing I do upon rising, but I find it's best to do them before consuming any media or engaging in any significant tasks.

It's not for everyone. I can imagine someone who is not as 'verbal' or language-based wouldn't find the same level of benefit. But for me, I think in words most of the time; and the thoughts and feelings that don't have words, and can therefore go unacknowledged and unaddressed, reveal themselves when I routinely sit down to just write.

[soapalot]

I’ve done braindump writing before and found it very therapeutic. You make a good point about not reading what you’ve written. I really like the idea of filling a notebook then burning it. The excess rubbish is no longer taking up space in your brain, nor is it taking up space physically.

[drf]

Your editing is worthy of a TV production. So professional yet refreshing.

[pc]

Been doing this for decades, since the book was first published. A few comments. Doing it longhand is important. It has to do with the difference in brain function. You are stimulating the right part of your brain when you do it longhand. Do it in the morning. I keep my MP journal next to my bed with the pen. As soon as I wake up, I grab them and get my pages done. That was my reading of the book, and it was reinforced by my sister who works with people's brains. Longhand, first thing in the morning. The other benefit for me is that by doing the pages, I get more clear on what I want and by doing that, I tend to get it. And do not forget the artist date.

[kasiag]

One of my teachers in primary school made us do 2 morning pages first thing in class. And at the end we put all the pages together as a background for an exposition poster about… something I don’t remember what. I really liked that I started writing faster, I liked the moment of quiet and rest with which class started rather than all the noisy messiness you usually have at the start of a primary class. Last semester I had a lecturer who let us meditate for 5 minutes halfway through, and that helped a lot in keeping up my attention. It provides energy and a breather :)

[dicedrice]

I've been doing morning pages for years.
It really clears the mind.

At times when I've been seriously depressed I don't even get out of bed. I just lay there on my stomach and write. If the depression is really bad I'll most likely fall back to sleep.

Morning pages help immensely. It gets easier and more insightful as time goes on.

It's as crucial as breathing.

I wouldn't be the successful person I am today without this practice.

[crystalisawesome]

I'd definitely recommend the actual Artist's Way book instead of just the workbook! I've gone back and reread it at least once a year for like 15 years now and I always get something new from it!

[IndiBex]

The cinematography of this video was as good as the content you shared. Splendid! ❤️

[arghadeepsaha]

Love it. I used to do morning pages and yes it feels like a chore after sometime, so anytime of the day I wrote something 2-3 pages or sometimes even more. Though I love and dumping my brain on a paper, I couldn't keep up the consistency. So then I started what is generally called "meditation". I simply sit with my eyes closed and spine straight and let my brain talk and I listen. After 30-45 minutes when it is done talking, I say "very well" or "thank you" and then slowly open my eyes. It's almost magical, I love it.

[Cameron-uelu]

Expressive writing is a game changer. Write about your deepest, darkest thoughts. Writers seek to exorcise their thoughts, the process is cathartic, and at the end of the day with the thoughts on the page your mind is freed. Happy writing!

[EvelineUK]

Loved this video. Tomorrow I will finish my 2nd notebook, having done 115 days of Morning Pages, not having missed a day. I actually write them in bed, only slightly propped up. I hold my book almost vertically, so my handwriting is horrible and I can barely read what I write as I am writing them. But, it gets all the 'gunk' out, , or I come up with ideas or solutions to problems I did not even know that I had. And then I can get on with my day. It's become a non-negotiable thing I want to do every single day, even if I fill a page with 'and bladiblah, don't know what to write, but will continue writing and keeping the pen moving and then I will think of something and....' and then I think of something and carry on. Just keep the pen moving for those three pages, you'll be surprised what comes out.

[eyescream]

To me, it's a Dream Journal. Quite similar to what you're doing, but I write whatever dreams I had while sleeping first time in the morning. At first, it was hard to recall all of the 'messy' dreams I had. However, I kept doing it daily until I could remember more of my dreams. It does hace a significant impact on me while generating ideas to work on my novel.

[srnamak]

This video is so underrated! Keep up the good work, the editing is immaculate btw!

[listeningwatching]

Saw Julia Cameron speak in santa monica CA
Bought her book. Did the practice which seemed to bring balance. The pages practice ..inspired me....i prepared a portfolio ...applied to art school and got in. It definitely is an Interesting experience!!🗝

[arkansasgrizzly]

I love this idea! Also, this video is perfection. Great shots, fantastic editing, and beautifully mixed audio. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Helios.vfx.]

Also writing by hand forces you to keep your brain active and in case you're studying something. It makes the learning process 2x times effective.
When I'm coding, of course I do have to use a computer, but in the meantime. I do write the code by hand and it helps me out

Back then I used to write short stories, even tho English isn't my first language. I did write those short stories in English, kept my mind focused into what I wanted to say and how I wanted to express what I wanted with the language limitations I did (do) have. Walk around with a notepad and a pen, write something anywhere, anything you've seen.
Some artist I do listen when I'm overwhelmed or just want something as ambiance music

Lemongrass
Ulrich Schnauss
re:plus
Akira Kosemura
Zero7
Blazo
Lullatone
Nils Frahm
Jon Hopkins
Steve Jablowsky aka sims 3 ost
Bill Evans