I began writing morning pages in June. I first came across the concept via Pagi when they made a post about it being rejected by App Store review. It was a funny way to be introduced to a new creative method, but I didn’t give it additional attention. The idea was tossed into some filing cabinet in my memory.
Morning pages resurfaced in the second episode of Paper Places, a new podcast about writing on Relay FM. Hearing a conversation with actual writers let me more fully connect with the practice, and I decided to give it a shot. Every morning since June 3rd, I’ve taken time in the morning—not first thing, I do my puzzles before anything else—to sit down at a device1My default is my iPad, but my computer is close behind. I have successfully written them on my phone as well. and write about 1000 words, letting whatever pops into my head flow onto the page.
Unlike the official version of the practice, I don’t write these pages by hand. I have my evening journal for that. Instead, I focus on the overall goal of morning pages: dump my morning brain full of random thoughts and anxieties to an external spot so I can start the day feeling refreshed and centered. I often close my eyes while typing, treating it as a form of meditation. I recently read that meditation is more about acknowledging and dismissing unworthy thoughts than clearing one’s mind entirely, and that is where morning pages come in.
I don’t hit 1000 words each day. Some mornings I nearly forget to begin or lack the mood and ambition to do it, but I’ve continued to push on it. They have proven to be among the most valuable fifteen minutes I spend each day, particularly when I wake up feeling off in some intangible way. Morning pages often make those feelings quite tangible and addressable, and I can proceed with the day once I’m done.
It’s not clear whether morning pages, when taken seriously, will work for everyone. Writing is my most natural form of thinking and processing the world, but I can imagine other creative practices getting at a similar goal, if in a more abstract way. I’ve learned that it works for me. I’m happy I’ve tried it and intend to keep the routine.
- 1My default is my iPad, but my computer is close behind. I have successfully written them on my phone as well.