The Benefits of Writing “The Morning Pages”

Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just generally out of sorts, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on why? Or have you ever had a great idea or epiphany, but by the time you got around to writing it down, it was already gone? If so, you may benefit from the practice of the morning pages.

Have you ever heard of morning pages? It’s a concept that was championed by Julia Cameron in her book, The Artist’s Way. In the simplest terms, it’s a practice where you write three pages before starting your day. It doesn’t matter what you write about! The important part is that you keep writing and don’t stop until the 3 pages are full. This type of stream-of-consciousness writing can help to clear your head and start your day off on the right foot.  Just keep that pen moving!

Youtube experts such as Mel Robbins, Ryan Holiday, and stoic experts like Marcus Aurelius have all spoken about the importance of this type of writing for planning out your day and reflecting on how things went afterwards. Let’s dive into why morning pages are so important.

The Benefits of the Practice

Morning pages can be beneficial for many reasons, but some key ones include helping to identify goals and clear mental blocks. When you sit down to write three pages at the start of your day, it forces you to think critically about what is going on in your life and what needs to get done. It gives you the space to really reflect on what kind of day you want to have, what goals need to be achieved, and so forth. You can also use it as an opportunity to brainstorm ideas or work through problems that require creative solutions. That way, when you’re ready for work or school later in the day, everything will already be planned out.

Another benefit is that it allows for self-reflection at the end of each day. Once you’ve completed your tasks for the day, take some time to journal about how it went—what worked well? What didn’t? What could have been done better? This type of reflection helps us identify any areas where we need improvement or growth and allows us to adjust accordingly moving forward. Plus, it’ll help make sure we don’t forget any lessons learned along the way! Granted, this part is more like the “Night” pages but I figured I would throw it in because it’s important, too!

Lastly, writing morning pages can help reduce stress levels since most people tend to worry more when they feel overwhelmed by tasks they need to do or decisions they need to make during their days. Writing down those thoughts first thing in the morning can help provide clarity on which tasks should be prioritized first and which ones can wait until later in the week or month—giving a sense of control back over our lives!

Why Do the Morning Pages?

The morning pages have become popular because they help people get clear on their thoughts and feelings first thing in the morning. They let you plan out your day so that when you wake up, you already know what needs to be done. Additionally, some believe that this exercise helps reduce stress levels by allowing us to organize our thoughts and feelings into words on paper rather than letting them fester inside our heads all day long.

This is basically just journaling but with Cameron’s unique twist on it.

Why are the morning pages so important? Here are just a few reasons:

1. They help you process your thoughts and emotions. When you put your feelings down on paper, it can help you make sense of them and better understand yourself. This can be especially helpful if you’re going through a difficult time and need a safe outlet for your emotions.
2. It can be therapeutic. It allows you to express yourself freely and can help you work through any problems you may be facing. It can also be a great way to let go of negative emotions, such as anger or sadness, that may be weighing you down.
3. This type of journaling can improve your mental health. Studies have shown that journaling can reduce stress and anxiety, and can even improve symptoms of depression. It’s a simple, low-cost way to take care of your mental well-being.
4. Writing can boost your creativity. Writing about your thoughts and ideas can help you generate new ones, and can even help you come up with solutions to problems. It’s a great way to tap into your creative side and let your imagination run wild.
5. The morning pages can improve your memory. By regularly recording your thoughts and experiences, you’ll have a written record to look back on and remember the important events in your life. This can be especially helpful as you get older and your memory starts to decline.
6. They can help you set and achieve your goals. By writing down your goals and tracking your progress, you can stay motivated and on track to achieving them. It’s a simple way to hold yourself accountable and make sure you’re making progress towards your objectives.
7. Journaling in this format can help you develop a growth mindset. By reflecting on your experiences and learning from them, you can cultivate a mindset that allows you to constantly improve and grow. It’s a great way to stay curious and open to new ideas and experiences.

Personally I like them because of the magic that occurs with going through this process. I get to really know myself! Without them I feel like I’m “stuck in the current” of life.

Writing Prompts

Sometimes I notice it helps to have prompts! Here are some prompts you can use while journaling:

1. Why am I grateful?
2. What are my goals for the day/week/month/year?
3. What are my biggest accomplishments so far?
4. What are my biggest challenges and how can I overcome them?
5. What are my values and how do they guide my actions?
6. How can I be more present and mindful in my daily life?
7. What are my biggest fears and how can I face them?
8. How can I practice self-care and prioritize my well-being?
9. What are my most important relationships and how can I strengthen them?
10. How can I continue to grow and improve as a person?

Conclusion

All in all, writing morning pages is a great habit that everyone should incorporate into their daily routine if possible! Not only does this practice allow us to plan out our days more efficiently but they also help us reflect on how things went afterwards so we can learn from our experiences and grow as individuals! If practiced consistently over time, this habit will not only make our days run smoother but also improve our overall mental health as well!

John Michaels is a local Missoula author who graduated from Brown University in creative writing. In between raising kids, he spends his time meandering around downtown Missoula, writing screenplays, doing cryotherapy, and playing chess.