For some years I have been involved in practising morning pages. Morning pages are two to three pages of writing long hand.

Morning pages is a tool used by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way.

It may at first sound daunting to write so much, especially by hand and you may be wondering when do I have time to do that?... I get up a bit earlier & I admit I dont manage it every day but at least three times a week. I give myself about half an hour to do my pages. (I know people who do morning pages during the day or in the evening). Personally I find it better in the morning because it frees my mind up for other stuff.

The point to morning pages is not to write a novel or even to share your morning pages with others, it is private stuff and is not even supposed to be re-read. The writing you do in your morning pages is anything that comes into your head. Its the little niggles or big niggles that run around in your head. The words may not even piece together into full sentences, that doesnt matter, what matters is to get it out.

Now, I do sometimes feel blocked, so I write down that I feel blocked! I also write a fair amount of whiny stuff..... that I have back-ache or a sore head. Sometimes I write about the weather and what I see in the garden. Often I start writing a list of things I want to get done and in doing this random thoughts & feelings arise that need attention. I write it all down.

When you start doing morning pages, you may be surprised at the feelings lurking within you. This can range from anger with a loved one or a friend, frustration about a situation, sadness, fear etc. Morning pages can also be a joyous thing, where you feel grateful and happy, write it down!  I find writing morning pages (when I do it regularly) so therapeutic. It frees me up and helps me focus on what really matters. I get much more done and my thinking is clearer. Additionally you may find you feel more patient or less irritated with the day's events, which is defintely a good reason to continue & do them more often!