Morning Pages: How Writing 3 Pages A Day Can Change Your Productivity
Morning Pages are becoming more and more popular thanks to the growing journalling trend. In this article Bridgette Hernandes takes a look at what Morning Pages are, their benefits and how you can fit them in to your daily schedule.
Coping with stress and anxiety has unfortunately become an everyday issue for so many people. We can’t even argue about it if we take into consideration all the obligations, problems, and work tasks we have to juggle every day.
Thankfully, there is a way which will help you to cope with all the stress that can keep you away from productivity. The helpful exercise we will be talking about is called Morning Pages. So many people have been raving about it so I decided to give it a try and guess what? It works!
That is why I will introduce you to this handy method and hope you will give it a chance as well.
What Are Morning Pages?
This method of writing consists of three pages which should be your stream of consciousness writing. Ideally, you should practice this in the morning.
This idea comes from the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. In this book, she teaches broken and frightened artists how to get back onto the path of creativity and creation, and to overcome the fear that holds them back.
However, this is not a book just for the artists who create paintings, masterpieces, novels, etc. In reality, any act of creation is an art.
Every job demands dedication and persistence which is what this book teaches. Whether you are a teacher, basketball player, driver, writer, or salesman, the Morning Pages can work for you as well.
As it is explained on Julia’s Cameron webpage: “There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages – they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.”
Why Are Morning Pages Useful?
Morning Pages are actually a clearing exercise which helps you to unload your conscious mind so that you can go through your day with less ease.
If you are constantly bogged down with procrastination this can help you to climb out of that mindset and get into a healthier, more productive one.
The Morning Pages method helps you to deal with negativity so that you have more room for clarity, focus, and direction in your life.
Chelsea Ann Dowdell, an editor at RewardedEssays says that she has been practicing using Morning Pages for 31 days and has seen amazing changes in her productivity as well as in her perspective in life. Here are some of the many benefits she listed which have come up from practicing this method:
- Less negativity
- Problem-solving
- Clarity
- Focus
- Action-taking
- Increased creativity
How Does It Work?
All you need to do at first is to find a notebook or journal of some kind, doesn’t matter which as long as you can write in it.
Then, every morning when you wake up, grab a pen, sit down and get comfortable and write longhand for three whole pages. That’s it.
It won’t take much time of your hands but it will do wonders with how you feel for the rest of the day.
One friendly advice is to keep the journal or the notebook in some noticeable place so you won’t get a chance to forget about it. For example, you can keep it on your bedside table.
Those who work in the morning can just wake up a bit earlier and do it while they are drinking their morning coffee.
If you commute to work by bus or train or if someone is driving you, you can do it then.
For sure there will be days when you won’t feel like doing it and you’ll probably have a thought cross your mind such as “Skipping one day won’t do any harm,” but don’t let it drag you down.
The consistency is the base of this method.
In case it happens that you really don’t have time in the morning or you have forgotten all about it, you can always catch up in the afternoon.
My advice is to do it just before you get to do some creative work, even if it’s in the middle of the day, it will still be helpful. By clearing your mind, you will make space for the creativity to step in.
What Can I Write About?
This is probably the question you have all asked yourself when you read that you need to write three pages. How to come up with thoughts that will fill that up?
Well, if you think about it, we always have thoughts which are obsessing our mind. Most of the time they are unnecessary and you are just overthinking situations which will eventually lead to anxiety.
Neightan White, a writer at SupremeDissertations who has practiced this method for some time now explains, “If you learn how to load off some of your thoughts and start your day fresh, it will change your perspective completely.”
You can write about absolutely anything: your plans for the day, what you dreamt about, how you need to take your dog for a walk, your hopes and wishes, your fears, how your coffee tastes funny this morning – absolutely anything!
The beauty of it is that you can express everything that has been on your mind and that has been bothering. Even your darkest secrets and most precious plans you don’t want anyone to know about.
Some of you may be doubtful that writing on a piece of paper can help, but it can. It will feel liberating, trust me.
Just make sure that you keep it private and don’t let anyone or anything distract you. This should be the time for you and your thoughts.
Some Final Thoughts
It can be intimidating to face all your inner thoughts and demons early in the morning, but just think that it is they who keep you away from your creativity and productivity.
The reason why this method attracted the attention of so many people is that it seems so simple but at the same time it does so much for your inner peace. There is no need to pay for expensive therapists to help you to deal with a lack of productivity or creative block when all you need is a pen, three pages of paper, and your mind unleashed.
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