I had been lamenting the fact that I haven't been able to focus on writing regularly in the past weeks and probably won't be able to for another several weeks. I have expressed sadness about that, but want to be patient with myself during this intense transition time.
However, just as I was accepting that reality, I came across (yet again!) the concept of keeping morning pages. Once again, I was inspired and wanted to do it - but this time there was a different twist. Whereas before I had tended to think of morning pages as an exercise, a discipline, something that I should do, this time I caught a glimpse of the benefits - immediate benefits, in fact.
I had been saying that I didn't have the focus necessary to write. Interestingly, this blogger told how morning pages gave her focus for her day. Hmmm... Is it possible that this could actually HELP me during these weeks - rather than being one more chore on my list? Worth considering. And worth trying again.
This, in fact, could be an excellent tool to process all the emotions I'm dealing with during this time of huge change. I decided to go for it. I found the box where my writing books had been packed away for the move. I discovered a new notebook just waiting for a special assignment and decided that this is it!
It is three weeks now and I believe it is true - that it is helping me to focus and to process my emotions. That is indeed a gift and I am grateful that I happened upon the article at such a moment.
...
And what are morning pages?
I originally heard of the concept from my daughter who got it from Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist Way. This most recent reminder and inspiration comes from Jennifer Blanchard at Procrastinating Writers Blog - where she says that writing these pages every morning upon waking helps you move past the stuff that keeps you stuck (in life and in writing).
• Morning Pages are three handwritten, stream-of-consciousness pages that you write every day, as soon as you wake up, before you do anything else.
• Write whatever comes to your head. Doesn’t matter what it is. Complain, talk about the dream you just had, write down everything you have to do that day—write anything.
• After you finish writing your Morning Pages, put your notebook away and get on with your day.
• There is no right or wrong way to write Morning Pages…
However, just as I was accepting that reality, I came across (yet again!) the concept of keeping morning pages. Once again, I was inspired and wanted to do it - but this time there was a different twist. Whereas before I had tended to think of morning pages as an exercise, a discipline, something that I should do, this time I caught a glimpse of the benefits - immediate benefits, in fact.
I had been saying that I didn't have the focus necessary to write. Interestingly, this blogger told how morning pages gave her focus for her day. Hmmm... Is it possible that this could actually HELP me during these weeks - rather than being one more chore on my list? Worth considering. And worth trying again.
This, in fact, could be an excellent tool to process all the emotions I'm dealing with during this time of huge change. I decided to go for it. I found the box where my writing books had been packed away for the move. I discovered a new notebook just waiting for a special assignment and decided that this is it!
It is three weeks now and I believe it is true - that it is helping me to focus and to process my emotions. That is indeed a gift and I am grateful that I happened upon the article at such a moment.
...
And what are morning pages?
I originally heard of the concept from my daughter who got it from Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist Way. This most recent reminder and inspiration comes from Jennifer Blanchard at Procrastinating Writers Blog - where she says that writing these pages every morning upon waking helps you move past the stuff that keeps you stuck (in life and in writing).
• Morning Pages are three handwritten, stream-of-consciousness pages that you write every day, as soon as you wake up, before you do anything else.
• Write whatever comes to your head. Doesn’t matter what it is. Complain, talk about the dream you just had, write down everything you have to do that day—write anything.
• After you finish writing your Morning Pages, put your notebook away and get on with your day.
• There is no right or wrong way to write Morning Pages…
When I wake up I write the song rolling in my head - because almost always I wake up mentally singing (my husband says I hum in my sleep - and it's true) - and my Alice in Wonderland type dreams. ANd then often whatever is rolling in the noggin that needs to get out. I love this process :) So happy to give it a name now :)
ReplyDeleteI think that this practice and process is healthy on so many levels. And it's fun, too.
ReplyDelete