Whilst chatting with Bill, my favourite writing pluviophile, he mentioned something about doing his “Morning Pages”; or rather, that he had let himself slack off but would be getting back on track, or something to that effect.
What are Morning Pages, you ask? I had to look it up. This was invented by Julia Cameron and is described more fully in her book “The Artist’s Way”. However, it was more a blog post by Shelby of “Little Coffee Fox” that got me even more intrigued.
Apparently, this daily ritual can unleash our creative potential, so to speak – and not limited to the creativity in writing, either. It can help artists of all sorts. The point of this practice is to encourage us away from negative self-talk and away from the fear that holds us back.
Okay, sounds a little woo-woo but hey… I’ve been writing my gratitude journal for over fifteen years and what harm is there in going to bed thinking of five things to be grateful for? It forces me to think of five positive things. Some days the choices are slim but find them, I do.
So. how does this work? Pretty simple. Every morning, first thing, you dump your thoughts by writing three pages in longhand. No plotting or strategizing, just stream of conscious writing. Nothing pretty, punctuation and all that jazz doesn’t really matter. The important thing is to simply write whatever comes to mind and to not stop until you have three pages worth. What if you run out of things to say? Find anything. Just do it. Oh, and here’s the best part.
NEVER READ WHAT YOU WRITE.
More importantly,
NEVER LET ANYONE ELSE READ WHAT YOU WRITE.
It’s a brain dump. Let it out. And let it go. You can’t let it go if you go back to it, can you?
Alrighty then. I am three days in. A little early to see if anything comes from it but I like what Glitter Guide said after she tried it for thirty days: she missed her therapist a bit less and her mind felt less cluttered as she started the day. Did she have any big creative breakthroughs? No. But she was open to the possibility.
And so am I.
Now, if I can just stop calling them Morning Papers maybe Prince will stop taking up space in my head…
That’s what my twice daily yoga practice does. If the morning pages work for you, yay!
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I’ve got the yoga going – trying to get a ln evening one, too.
I’m so tired of being tired, I hope this helps, too. Every little bit of self care…
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Spending time with nature ..
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I do that, too
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That’s good
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So what do you do with your writings? I’ve done the whole “write a letter” thing when people have died. It does help
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You can collect them, or simply chuck them. I dunno that I would be able to resist looking back.
Some people use part of their writings towards a book.
I think mine is just going to be whatever I have in mind at the time. More journal-like. We shall see 🙂
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That is actually a cool way to put together a memoir but without it just being about feelings. Thoughts of current things can interesting years later. We all forget the details of five years ago.
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I think so too. I don’t think I’d be inclined to throw them out… Tell me about it (forgetting details!)
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The Morning Pages program R.O.C.K.S. (for me, anyway). I’ve been doing them on and off for ages. Thanks for sharing.
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How cool is that. Thanks for sharing that, Ron. It gives me an extra little nudge 🙂
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If I wrote three pages in long hand I wouldn’t have to worry about reading it or anyone else reading it because my handwriting is illegible. I like to reminisce about how I used to get up, shower, get dressed and leave for work in about 15 minutes. It takes me and hour and a half to get out the house these days. No Morning Pages for me.
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Hahaha! All the better.
Hey, yanno, everyone has their way of gettin ‘er goin’. Just what are you doing in that hour and half, now? 😉
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Seven cats, two birds, a wife and blog comments.
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‘Nuff said. 😉
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Wow, Dale.
Wonderful write up. Thanks for saying all that.
I was thinking about calling mine daily pages so I can jump in later in the day.
I appreciate the plug and the pingback, but now I feel pressure to do mo’ betta’.
I like SoC writing when I can and I feel it emotionally, so more to come. Great song. 🙂
Gracias mi amiga.
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Thank you, Sir Pluviophile!
I don’t think I will be that rigid in my use of these pages. I dunno what I plan to accomplish but if it means I lighten the load in my head, it’ll be a good thing. Might even – gasp – make it easier for me to sleep at night!
Pretty much all my writing is SoC so, there is that 😉
De nada mi amigo y gracias a tu!
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I did morning pages this morning. 🙂
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As did I… some at home, some at work… 😉
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🙂
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sounds like a wonderful way to start each day –
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It just might be. I’ll keep ya posted if I get at least a month in a row… 😉
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it will be considered a streak –
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10 days will be a streak… 😉
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I’ve been writing morning pages on and off for decades. It is a very useful practice. Sometimes I go deep, sometimes I just get my head straight about what I need to do that day, sometimes my ramblings lead me to map out a story idea or the draft of a poem. I find the process of writing most mornings while I sip a cup of tea really helps me get clear.
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How wonderful, Suzanne. I am strill trying to find a rythm that will work for me. I am definitely going to go with the flow on this.
Thanks so much for commenting.
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Some days I write a little. Other days I write a lot. Some days I don’t write anything and don’t for months at a time. Julia Cameron keeps all her journals. I don’t. I rip them up and put them in the bin after a while. I used to write in big A4 notepads. These days I mostly write a few pages on A5 size paper each day. Before I dispose of them I scan through them and get an overview of what I wrote about over the past couple of months. I check that to see if there are poem or story drafts that are worth keeping but I don’t re-read the whole journal. 🙂
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That sounds pretty healthy to me! I write gratitude journals that I keep… then realise they will never be reread so I get rid of them. Journals, on the other hand, I have kept much longer. I don’t know what I will do with these, if they come to anything! 🙂
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Sounds like a great idea… I suppose this could work with scribbles instead of words?! For now, I’m letting the waves erase my thoughts. 🌊😉😘😘😘😘😘
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Yes, absolutely! I’ve seen all sorts of versions. I say, whatever works for you, works! Waves and foam are a nice thing to concentrate on 😉 😘😘
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They work like giant sponges!!!! 😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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Indeed! I will catch up. Can you believe I was too busy at work to actually look at the blogs?
xoxoxo
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Busy is good and we’re not going anywhere! 😉🤣😘😘😘😘😘
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Yeah, I suppose so. At least the work day goes by faster … 😘😘
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True! 😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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🙂
xoxo
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❤🤗❤
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Whatever works for you is wonderful! 💙 I sometimes like to write poems first thing in the morning–just what comes out of my head. For me, I think a regular thing like that would seem like a chore.
I do need to get back to yoga though.🙂
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Agreed! Whatever works. And if it feels too much like a chore, I will lose interest – I know myself. However, I am still going to give it a try and see if anything comes of it! Your writing your poetry first thing is sort of similar, I say 😉
Yoga – another thing I’m trying to turn into a good habit!
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It all takes so much time. . .🤣
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Aaaaaallllll of it! I need to retire! 😉
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🤣
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🤭
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Dear Dale,
Sounds interesting. And there’s nothing wrong with gratitude. In fact, it’s energizing. Who hasn’t been around someone who’s a steady drone of negativity? What a life-suck. Thank you for sharing this.
Shalom and lotsa positive hugs,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It does, doesn’t it? And no, there is nothing wrong with gratitude – I have been and will continue to do my five per night. I’m hoping the morning pages will actually help me sleep better. Too much going on in me noggin!
Shalom and lotsa grateful love,
Dale
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I suppose it depends how big the book is! Remember those one inch square whole bibles they used to produce (probably still do). Maybe if I started out on that size I may be able to complete three pages!
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Haha! Of course! I say one gets the size book that works for one 😉
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I don’t think I shall be partaking anytime soon!
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I think you are doing just fine…
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Your think and my think may not be in sync!
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Oh now… You cannot fool me!
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🤗
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Sounds like it could work. Thank you for sharing. Inspiration in anything has not been a problem for me. My morning exercise tends to work out any kinks. Best wishes.
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I think it could work for many things. You, of course, have a tried and true method 😉
Thank you!
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😁
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Heh, heh…having Prince take up space isn’t completely bad. Thanks for sharing an inspiring post about…inspiration. 🥰
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I have to admit there are way worse things…
And I thank you for enjoying my inspiration 🙂
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I love morning pages! Haven’t stuck to it in a while, but when I do…
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I have a feeling this could be something I take up, put aside, take up again. We shall see 🙂
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Honestly, I think I gave it up because I was approaching it with too ‘perfectionist’ a mindset. You seem like you could make it work a lot more successfully 😊
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I’ll definitely go with the flow with no real goal per se but to, hopefully, empty my head enough to properly sleep. Who knows what other benefits lie ahead?
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Sooo many benefits!
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I sure hope so!
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Do I dare do “morning pages”? I like this idea. Love the song too, new to me lovely Dale.
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I’m trying it. We’ll see if it goes anywhere or does any good. No harm in trying, right?
Oh, it is from his fabulous Love Symbol album. I swear, there is not one song I dislike on the whole album! Glad you enjoyed sweet Rene.
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Waiting with baited breath 💜💜
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Oh… they will not be published! But I shall keep you apprised if anything good does come of it! 🧡🧡
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I know they won’t 😊 Even you are not meant to read them. I meant will they make any changes to your life 🙂
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Yes, you are right. And hey, who knows what lies ahead?
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Who knows 😁
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😀
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I’ve tried both, but didn’t have the sticking power! Morning papers, gratitude journal…while I see the value in it, I can’t seem to commit to the long term, alas.
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I stopped and started the gratitude journal so many times but then one day it stuck. I don’t know about the morning pages. We shall see 🙂
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I’ve heard of this but never tried it. Let us know how it goes for you!
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Apparently, it’s been a thing for over twenty years! I’ll keep ya posted 😉
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I remember that book. Please let us know how it goes. An excellent challenge and once you get into the habit, you won’t be able to stop…like everything we do, it becomes kind of addictive, but in a good way. 🙂
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I did manage to get the 5 gratitudes before bed thing into a habit. Will be interesting what happens with this one. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Morning pages are an important part of my daily routine! I sometimes flip back and read them. They’re full of ideas and complaints about things i need to change. Julia Cameron actually recommends reading your pages at some point in The Artist’s Way. I’ve worked through the entire book twice so far.
Journaling or brain dumping is essential mental hygiene for me. Taking walks in nature, gardening, and practicing yoga are also critical, but i don’t think one could replace the other.
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Thank you for your input, Luna. I am looking forward to this becoming a true habit. It will be interesting to see how/if anything changes for me.
I think brain dumping is just what I need, to tell the truth. I am curious to see if doing it in the morning helps me at night (in time!)
I should be getting her book any day now 🙂
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Can’t see why not! 🙂 And … yay to creativity! 🙂 Let’em muses get used to hanging around, ya know!?
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Right? I figure it can’t hurt. 🙂
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I think “night papers” will work better for me. My mornings are not mine to do as I please😕
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I think we do what works for us. I am struggling with my timing but figure I’ll find my groove! Thanks for the comment!
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I don’t do this as a morning routine, but I do do it. I have no name for it, just clears my head, helps me to organise, bring sense to the chaos that is me. And 3 pages? Only 3 pages? And I do go back over it, sometimes, cos my inspiration lies there. Needless to say, I’m not a person keen on keeping to routines.
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Three pages is just a guideline. And I’m thinking, three makes you try harder if you are drawing a blank. Going for more is bonus. And apparently, the creator of this idea does keep hers and goes back over them and yes, inspiration can definitely lie there.
As for the routine thing… I’m with you. I shall see 😉
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Enjoy…for I do believe it’s supposed to be enjoyable 😊
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Yes, I agree. And I’ve been unable to time myself at all for the past four days. So much for that. When I return from my mini-holiday, I shall hopefully better organise my time -though I’ll be in major move and purge to prepare for my house remodel. So. I make no promises.
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Fascinating stuff here Dale. I for one am a man who is grateful for a lot in my life though I have never written ‘morning pages’ before, I think I should try it one day. Thank you for educating me about these 2 things that made my eyelashes rise:NEVER READ WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN & NEVER LET ANYONE ELSE READ YOUR STUFF, Mhmm… Interesting🤔
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Thank you, Mthobisi. I think that there are different ideas on whether or not to reread and/or share. It might be a choice some people choose. Not sure what I will do, yet
Glad you stopped by and took the time to comment.
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I’ve been thinking about getting back to Morning Pages. It helps. A lot. “Brain dump” is a good way to put it. Also, it’s quite satisfying to burn the lot of them once or twice a year. 😀 Good luck with your Morning Pages, Dale.
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I believe it does. And I have heard all sorts of things. From burning them, to saving them, to using them as a base for a story…
Thank you, Robin! 🙂
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Back in the late 1990s I did Morning Pages & I was serious about them. In fact if I hadn’t done the Morning Pages with such fervor I suspect I’d never have believed I could write a personal blog. They set me up for blogging success, although a few years ago I shredded them in a glorious ceremony of moving on with my life. They serve many purposes, in my experience.
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I love that! All I hear is positive results of all sorts from anyone who did them for whatever time they did. How encouraging. I love that you shredded them when you felt you no longer needed them 🙂
I’ve, not shredded, but gotten rid of old gratitude journals because them? I never ever reread. Why the hell was I keeping them?
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Q
I could never do it. My longhand is currently in the witness protection program and I wouldn’t be able to decipher my signature if it wanted to release it from this hideaway. It’s seriously gotten worse than ever.
I’ve tried diaries and journals, but I never kept up with it. And that’s when I could half ass read the stuff I was writing!
But it’s a great idea for those who are blessed with the ability. 😉
B
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B,
That means this is the PERFECT exercise for you as you are not supposed to reread what you write. 😉
Nothing wrong with that. You tried, it wasn’t for you. Move on!
In a weird way, I am hoping it serves the purpose of liberating me so I can actually sleep. I’ve tried before bed – nope. Maybe first thing is good. We shall see…
Q
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Yeah but you know me.
It’s a meditative activity and that’s what counts. Everyone has their way of meditating. For me it’s running.
Making it a habit is the way to go.
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I do.
And you’re right. I get into that meditative mood when I walk with camera in hand. Not when I run coz I’m gasping for breath and self-talking myself into believe I got this…
It is. There are innumerable methods. We only have to find the one that works for us.
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When you’re in that zone there is nothing like it. You’ve shut out all the periphery and you’re focused on one thing. It’s beautiful.
You got that right.
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Not being a true runner – no, no, I’m not. I do not run for longer than 2.25 minutes at a stretch. It does not qualify. I have been pleasantly surprised on the occasion, to feel pretty darn good whilst doing it, so there is that.
MWAH!!
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Running is the thing we do in whatever and however it works. I was met with a runner this morning. A REAL runner, with perfect strides, exceptional breathing technique and form right out of the handbook. A thought popped into my head “THAT’S what it’s supposed to look like!”. It made me giggle.
MUAH!
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A REAL runner, eh? You’re so funny. You ARE a real runner. You giggle away as you keep on doing your thing. I’m proud of you.
MWAH!
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I mean a runner you would be able to tell, that person is running. LOL
MUAH!!
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Uh huh. You keep playing yourself down. I, frankly, do not feel you look any less a runner.
MWAH!
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What matters is how I feel when I run. The world makes sense, everything makes sense.
MUAH!
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Then voilà. You are a runner at heart and on the ground.
MWAH!
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Sold!
MUAH!
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Woot!
MWAH!
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MUAH!!
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Nice
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I find the idea of morning pages appealing but I tend to do my walking in the morning–beats the heat and gets me out exercising before procrastination sets in. Then … I don’t know what happens to the rest of my day 😉 i have read that some people do their morning pages in the evening or before they go to bed … which could be a nice way of clearing my brain. I might try that. I’m a light sleeper, but I also have difficulty getting to sleep because my mind is often still in high gear, even if I’m tired 😦
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I know what you mean. I like to run or do my exercises first thing. Any delay and I end up not doing them! So… I am trying to figure it out. Morning pages don’t have to be in the morning. Some do it at night, some in the afternoon. I guess we just need to find what works for us. I would have thought doing them at night would help me unload but I’m not so sure. I, too have trouble falling asleep and I am torn over whether or not it would just increase my thoughts or what!
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I’ll let you know if I try bedtime morning pages 😉
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Lovely! I say we do whatever works and if none of it does, then we do something else 🙂
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I’ve christened a new journal as the “Whenever Pages.” The journal is solely for free-writing. No lists, no calendar, no plotting or planning. Just writing whether it’s morning, noon, or night. And not necessarily every day. Just … whenever 😉
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Honestly? I think I hexed myself. I think I managed three, four? days in a row and have not touched it. Course, I did go on vacay. I think mine will be rechristened as yours is. Whenever!!
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I enjoyed that book, The Artist’s Way. And I have pretty much fallen away from morning pages, but I think any “selfish” ritual is good practice. For me, coffee with the birds.
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I am looking forward to reading it. And I think whatever ritual we choose is the good one. I love taking walks, with or without my camera. It’s rather meditative for me. I figured I would try this and see if it gives me anything 🙂
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I love my morning pages. But I so read them. Usually they’re about dreams, thoughts, and what I’m reading. And most of my blog posts are riffs off ideas that start there. 😎
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I didn’t yet read the original book about the morning pages. I think it should be whatever we want them to be!! 🙂
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My thoughts exactly. I read that book a long time ago. Art needs no prescription. 😎
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Of COURSE you read that book! 😉
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Love the post
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Thank you.
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Your welcome
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What a great idea!! Now that I have a new-to-me computer, I think I’ll give that a go! Thanks so much for sharing
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Nope… These MUST be written by hand 😉
Glad you enjoyed. I have been remiss in doing mine; having trouble finding my rythm!
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I have two broken fingers in my right hand 😂 so I type everything right now
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Well then. I suppose we have to give you a pass… till they’re healed 😉
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This is a great idea. I’m going to have to try it!
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I thought so too… haven’t written in three days but I figure, when I get back from my vacation, I’ll be in a better frame of mind…
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I completely understand that. I sometimes have to take a break from writing too. I have to take a day or two to recharge
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I just need to try to organise my day 🙂
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I used to do this but then it turned into a journal – which isn’t the point. Will have to try again and will simply toss the pages each day to ensure I don’t turn it into a journal process
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I don’t know if that is wrong, though. A journal is a writing down of your thoughts (honestly, mine is more of a journal, too) only in this case, you don’t take your time to dot your i’s and cross your t’s, so to speak. You don’t worry about grammar or punctuation or run-on sentences, as we would for a journal (I’m thinking!)
I’m not always good at following rules so, let’s just say we do what works for us!
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Good idea Dale – I’ll probably do both. I’m fond of downloading as it gets it off the main system so to speak
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Well said. And I have realised my mornings are just not conducive to it. Not when I want to run and exercise first thing, before showering and going off to work. I’d have to get up at stupid o’clock! And I am NOT doing that 😉
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Morning bike rides for me do the trick but I bet this works too.
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Morning walks do it for me more, too 😉
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I used to do something like this when I was having troubles with boyfriends, then eventually my N.
I would write a passionate love, hate or whatever letter. When it was finished, I would never send it, or read it again.
It must have worked. My life has been on a creative roll ever since.
Make art not war!
Love ya, Thunder! xoxo
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It has morphed into an write when the inspiration (and time) hits and allows.
And that is great that you used it in such a perfect way!
Absolutely. Make Art of any kind and never War!
Love ya back Sorceress. Mwah! xoxoxo
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Mwah! xoxoxo ⚡️💥
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👸✨😘
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😘😘
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