Every morning begins the same way in our house.
The coffee is brewing. The house is still quiet. Before I check my email, look at my planner, or even think about my to-do list, I open a notebook, pick up my favorite fountain pen, and begin writing.
Longhand.
No editing.
No worrying about perfect grammar.
No audience.
Just me and the page.
This simple ritual, known as Morning Pages, has become one of the most meaningful habits I've ever adopted.
Discovering The Artist's Way
Like many people, I had heard of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron for years, but I never made time to read it. Then an opportunity came along that felt too good to pass up.
Our local independent bookstore, Double Dog Books, hosted a 14-week online book club where we worked through The Artist's Way one chapter at a time. Each week we discussed the readings, encouraged one another, and completed the creative exercises together.
I'm so glad I said yes.
Reading the book alongside others gave me the accountability to stick with the process and the encouragement to keep writing, even on mornings when I wasn't sure I had anything worthwhile to say.
What Are Morning Pages?
Morning Pages are one of Julia Cameron's foundational practices.
The concept is beautifully simple:
Write three handwritten pages every morning.
That's it.
There are no prompts.
No expectations.
No right or wrong way to do it.
Some mornings I write about the day's plans. Other mornings I process worries, celebrate small joys, capture ideas for future blog posts, or simply describe what I'm noticing around me.
The pages are private.
They are not meant to be polished writing or shared with anyone else.
They are simply a place to empty your mind before the rest of the day begins.
Why I Keep Coming Back
When I first started, I thought Morning Pages would make me a better writer.
Instead, they made me a better listener.
Writing before the day's distractions arrive helps me notice what is really on my heart. Sometimes it's excitement about an upcoming trip. Sometimes it's grief over missing my mom. Sometimes it's a watercolor idea I don't want to forget or a question I've been quietly carrying for weeks.
I've learned that if I make space for those thoughts first thing in the morning, I move through the rest of the day with greater clarity.
It's almost as if the pages sweep away the mental clutter, leaving room for creativity, focus, and peace.
The Practice Has Changed Me
Morning Pages have become much more than a journaling habit.
They've taught me to slow down.
To pay attention.
To trust my own thoughts before the opinions of the world rush in.
They've also helped me notice patterns in my life. The ideas that return again and again are often the ones worth pursuing. Some of my favorite blog posts, creative projects, and even travel plans first appeared as scribbled notes in my Morning Pages.
Looking back through old journals, I can see not only what I was thinking, but who I was becoming.
You Don't Have to Be an Artist
One of the biggest misconceptions about The Artist's Way is that it's only for painters, writers, or musicians.
I don't believe that's true.
Creativity shows up in many forms.
Gardening.
Cooking.
Teaching.
Problem solving.
Decorating your home.
Planning a family gathering.
Building community.
Morning Pages simply help you create space for whatever kind of creativity already lives within you.
My Morning Ritual
Today, Morning Pages are as much a part of my routine as my first cup of coffee.
I reach for my notebook before my phone.
I write with one of my favorite fountain pens.
Some mornings the words flow easily. Other mornings they arrive slowly, one sentence at a time.
Either way, I keep writing until I reach the bottom of the third page.
I've learned to trust the process.
Final Thoughts
When I joined that 14-week book club, I thought I was signing up to read a book.
Instead, I discovered a practice that has quietly transformed the way I begin each day.
Morning Pages have become a gift I give myself every morning: a few moments of quiet, reflection, and curiosity before the world asks anything of me.
If you've ever felt creatively stuck, mentally cluttered, or simply in need of a gentler way to begin your day, I encourage you to give Morning Pages a try.
You might be surprised by what appears on the page.
More importantly, you might be surprised by what you discover about yourself.
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