I have begun a new project: writing one page every morning as to what I'm thinking or feeling. This is also known as "morning pages". This idea was introduced to me by my Creative Writing professor, Mary Roma.
Class started early one Friday morning and a simple task was assigned; fill one page with how we (the class) were feeling that morning. As I wrote, I became more aware of my mood and how I could alter my day based on those particular emotions. The assignment at first did not seem challenging, but to write my current state of mind for an entire page filtered so many bustling, stressful thoughts.
What I've noticed from writing my morning pages is how I can control my frame of mind before facing various scenarios throughout the day. For example, I wrote about how nervous I had been about an exam last week, but I had also noted that I'd studied. This eased tension and gave me a positive outlook on how I'd do on the exam. It also mentally prepared me for the questions I knew I wouldn't be able to answer, and I learned to accept it.
The woman who proposed the idea of morning pages was Julia Cameron in her book The Artist's Way, which was published in 1992. Upon reading her thoughts at the beginning of her book, I have a newfound appreciation for such an uncomplicated exercise; each speculation one makes is valid. There is no right or wrong way to do morning pages because they are not intended to be perfect. They are a tool to use every day to construct a creative perspective of the world around you.
Julia Cameron, at the time she wrote the book, had been doing her morning pages for a decade. She doesn't consider them to be smart, or even writing. They are meanderings of consciousness, and whatever comes to mind, is legitimate to write. She states that she has bookshelves filled with notebooks of morning pages, which she uses to reflect on after a few weeks of writing.
Cameron also advises to write three pages a day once the writer has adjusted to the unfamiliar project, and to not leaf back through; write what needs to be written and be done. Reflecting on these works will give the writer a sense of growth and a change of mind, for most pages will contain negative thoughts, which is normal for this exercise.
Cameron also recommends doing an "artist date"; taking two hours a week to spend time with your inner (child) artist. Whether it be going for a walk, a bookstore, a restaurant, anything. Take time for yourself and become self-nurturing. The idea is to step outside of your comfort zone to do something you normally wouldn't do alone to learn more about what you think about certain things.
I've been writing my morning pages for over two weeks now, and just this week I reflected on thoughts and noticed a change in what I used to think about certain things. Due to the fact that I'm in college (and without a car), it has been difficult to make an artist date for myself, but I plan on doing so soon.
Cameron's ideals have impacted me positively and I fully intend to write every morning on selfish, negative, happy, or silly thoughts. You don't have to be a writer to do morning pages or go on an artist date, so anyone is able to do them. Guide your thoughts and emotions and explore and examine them more closely to get a better idea as to who you are, concerning thoughts and trying new things.
