artists wayIn working with Morning Pages for the last 15 years, here are a few of my insights. The morning pages help me to get specific. They help me to sort through my real feelings and the feelings that are on display for the public. Here’s the difference. Instead of saying “I feel okay or fine” which could mean I am feeling, detached, sleep deprived, resigned, cranky, comfortable, joyful, excited or content, I am now much more specific, thanks to the morning pages. Okay can cover all kinds of squirmy, uncomfortable feelings and is not specific. Morning pages help me to identify my feelings and accept and acknowledge them.

For those of you unfamiliar with morning pages, here are some of the highlights. Morning Pages are one of the basic tools in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way.  Morning pages are three pages of stream of consciousness writing, done in the morning upon awakening. Why in the morning? In the morning our mind is free and clear of all the chatter, busyness, to do lists and distractions that take up space in our heads every day. Morning pages get us to the other side of fear, negativity, judgement, our inner critic and all the rest of it. Morning pages are a powerful tool and if written on a daily basis can change our lives. They provide a place to dump and vent all the self limiting, petty, critical thoughts that block us from our creativity. They allow us to  stop listening to our Censor. The one that says “Are you kidding, you can’t do that” or “Get real, you’ll never write that book, paint that masterpiece, create that workshop or retreat.”

I have been writing morning pages consistently since 1999. Here are some of the benefits I have gained from this wonderful practice.

  • connecting to my creativity
  • creative problem solving
  • developing a regular meditation practice
  • finding my voice
  • starting my day in a centered, positive direction
  • tuning in to my wise inner voice
  • learning to play
  • identifying problem areas
  • exploring my dreams

Morning pages are a powerful tool and if done on a daily basis can totally reframe how we view the world and ourselves.

I invite you to join me at my next Artist’s Way class starting in September. Details are on my website.

http://nancyjambor.com/classes/

Working with Morning Pages
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16 thoughts on “Working with Morning Pages

  • February 3, 2015 at 1:25 pm
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    I journal in the morning and I’ve read the artist’s way but have not done the morning pages (yet). I’ve often wondered how this is different from routine journaling and she discusses it a bit in the book. I tend to write what comes to mind and I don’t worry about whether it is witty or great. For me it is just getting the words on the paper and seeing what’s inside that is coming out.

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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      Thanks Kristin. Morning Pages are not meant to be artful, witty or smart. They are about whatever is up for me in the moment. Sometimes there are wonderful surprises and gifts and other times, it’s about venting and dumping. It’s all about right here, right now, what’s going on with me in this moment?

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  • February 3, 2015 at 12:57 pm
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    Yes to Morning Pages! Thank you so much for the reminder of their powerful medicine. I would like to be consistent with mine this year and your post is timely.

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:23 pm
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      Thanks Christine! Wishing you consistent morning pages in 2015!

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  • February 3, 2015 at 12:06 pm
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    Good for you for sticking with that for so long! It appears you have gotten many great benefits from doing so over that extended amount of time! It must be amazing to look back and reflect how you have grown and seen things differently over that span of time!

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:22 pm
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      I appreciate your comments Cat. Yes, there have been significant changes in my life and how I perceive the world thanks to The Artist’s Way.

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  • February 3, 2015 at 6:30 am
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    Since 1999 that is impressive. So fabulous when something works so well for us and what a wonderful journey. Thank you for sharing 🙂

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:21 pm
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      Thanks for your comments Kama!

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  • February 3, 2015 at 5:16 am
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    I’ve read the book so long ago but perhaps it’s time to revisit. Amazing that you have kept up the practice of morning pages all this time, yay!

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:21 pm
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      Thanks for your comments Sue! I totally encourage you to revisit The Artist’s Way. It’s a great book and can bring about life changes if you commit to the practice.

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  • February 2, 2015 at 5:39 pm
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    It’s so wonderful to find a practice that really works for you – and kudos to you for keeping it up!

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    • February 3, 2015 at 6:19 pm
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      Thanks Deborah!

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  • February 2, 2015 at 2:43 pm
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    Thanks Amy. For me, the morning pages have such great benefits it’s hard to envision my life without them:)

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  • February 2, 2015 at 2:42 pm
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    Thanks for your comments Michele. I really do get so many benefits from writing morning pages. They are such a great way to start each day and have become part of my morning routine.

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  • February 2, 2015 at 2:32 pm
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    I’m with Michele. That is a rather big accomplishment! I’ve done them off and on, but never consistently.

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  • February 2, 2015 at 1:59 pm
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    I am so impressed that you have been doing this practice for so many years. It takes real dedication to do anything on a regular basis and this practice has so many benefits and I love hearing how you’ve experienced so many of them personally.

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