How do you start your day? Do you grab your phone from the bedside table and start scrolling through emails and social media? Do you head straight for the coffee pot for a burst of caffeine to get going? Maybe a shower to help wake yourself up? Perhaps your day begins with prayer and contemplation.

Have you ever considered starting your day by putting pen to paper? Not to make a to-do list or begin working, but rather, sitting down with a notebook and pen and just writing. You’d be amazed at what this simple practice upon waking will do for your day.

What is Journaling?

Journaling is a spiritual writing practice that allows you to connect to your inner self and express your thoughts and feelings. It is a powerful way to become more in tune with your spiritual self that dwells in deeper levels of consciousness. It can be a valuable tool in setting intentions, dealing with negative emotions, letting go of limiting beliefs, and setting goals for the future. It can also be an excellent tool for celebrating success and encouraging yourself to continue a journey of nurturing all aspects of your health. Journaling allows you to access your divine inner wisdom as creative ideas and subconscious beliefs reveal themselves to you.

Morning Pages

There are many kinds of journaling, but one very effective technique is called “Morning Pages.” This specific journaling method is taught by Julia Cameron of The Artist’s Way.

With this journaling technique, you pick up a notebook and a pen as quickly as possible upon waking. Then writing by hand, fill three pages with stream of consciousness writing. This type of writing is not meant to be organized or creative, although some creativity may be expressed. You don’t have to worry about correct spelling or grammar; simply write down every thought that crosses your awareness.

Stream of consciousness writing is like the passing clouds of thoughts that you might have noticed if you have ever meditated. The thoughts are disjointed, and some can be grumpy and negative; others are positive and uplifting. Don’t sort them out. Just write them all down.

Your Morning Pages might sound something like this: “I’m so tired…I wish I would have gone to bed earlier last night…that dinner was so good at the restaurant…next time I’m going to order the appetizer, too…the dog goes to the vet today…oh, geez, I forgot to pick up my mail…I’m so frustrated about spilling bleach on my jeans…oh, how I can’t wait for our trip…I wonder if my swimsuit will still fit…” And so on.

My morning pages usually end up being a combination of jumbled thoughts, such as in the paragraph above, and a conversation with Source. Often, I write questions and then let my inner wisdom answer them through my pen.

Your Morning Pages are meant just for you—you won’t be sharing them with others. In fact, I recommend writing them in an illegible script of your own making so that even you can’t go back and read them. The whole point is to unload everything in your mind as soon as you wake up, so you move into the rest of your day clear-minded and centered. If you enjoy prayer and meditation in the morning, try doing it following your journaling. Your mind will be much calmer, and your spiritual experience will be enhanced.

Give Morning Pages a try. Find out for yourself how this simple shift in your morning routine will bring about some significant transformation in how you feel throughout each day.

“A journal is your completely unaltered voice.”
~ Lucy Dacus