The best writing advice I ever got was from the brilliant author and creator of “The Artists’ Way,” Julia Cameron. Speaking on the subject of the value of Morning Pages, three handwritten pages of free-thought flow writing as a tool for creativity, she said that once you’ve let it all out and freed your mind you should, and I quote: “Leave it on the page.”
There is some kind of creative magic that happens when your pour out your heart on the page and the words stare back at you. It is as if they have found a safe place to fall and can happily live there forever. That means that once you close your journal or notebook, you are relieved of the burden of carrying around your grievances, concerns, anger, and limiting beliefs. Just imagine how that might feel! You might find yourself letting out a big sigh, or finding a smile starting to spread across your face. You might feel lighter in body and spirit. Most of all, you just might find that with your mind emptied of all that negative chatter, inspiration finally has a way in and your creative juices start to flow. It’s hard to focus on building something positive when negative emotions and beliefs keep putting cracks in your foundation.
I have come to trust this idea of leaving it on the page completely after seeing the effect it has had on my life. I have often gone way beyond the suggested three pages if I was really on a rant! Once I had squeezed every drop of negativity out of me, when there was not one tiny bit left, I felt emotionally and spiritually free, kind of like putting down a heavy boulder I didn’t even know I was carrying. I have been known to shout out “YES!”, or even start singing! No question, leaving it on the page is the best medicine in the world for blocked creativity.
As you may have guessed, our writing assignment on the Home Page is going to ask you to get it all out and leave it on the page, so be prepared for an emotional house-cleaning. I don’t know if I should tell you to have fun with it, but I will tell you that this is one shining example where it pays to always, always, keep writing. Peace and blessings.
I remember faithfully doing my morning pages for several months, and agree it is freeing to start the day that way. I stopped when my wrist began to be a challenge, as I was writing 10 pages each morning. Three pages sound very doable, so I just might take you up on the reminder. It’s a wonderful way to begin each new day and to see what shows up as you ‘leave it on the page’. Thanks Barb!
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Ahhhh, morning pages. I have gotten out of the habit. Thank you for reminding me about morning page and to “leave it on the page.”
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Leaving it on the page allows for an inrush of something new. Great advice.
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Hi Barb, It is so true that journalling is therapeutic. I recall doing my morning pages as I worked through “The Artist’s Way” years ago. Initially I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of writing 3 pages a day and over time I really enjoyed the experience and found that in general words flowed easily. Thank you for the reminder. I realize it would be helpful to start journalling again!
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Morning pages is a practice that I go back to over and over again. I have not been doing it daily recently, but I do it periodically and it really does bring me clarity when I need it.
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