According to recent research, we have around 6.5 thoughts per minute, leading to 6000 thoughts per day. They come instantly in the morning and disappear in a flash by afternoon.

How many brilliant ideas escaped from you during the shower or early morning walk?

There are many free writing techniques that let you write down your thoughts quickly without stopping keeping a journal or practising Morning Pages is the most popular. However, if you have tried these two methods, you might be wondering whether one is more beneficial than the other? When it is best to reach out for a journal or write 3 pages first thing in the morning? 

In this blog post, we are going to compare two different free writing tools by exploring the pros and cons of each and share our opinion after testing them out for some time. 

Are Morning Pages the same as journaling?

Morning Pages, a free writing practice on 3 pages for 40 minutes first thing in the morning, has no structure or goal. It helps to boost your creativity while being a good mindfulness practice as you let go of worrying or negative thoughts. While journaling lets you keep track of your experiences and behaviours that you can reflect on which can improve your personal development. 

Read on to learn more about each free writing technique.

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Morning Pages work, but for who?

At the start, it may be difficult to write about anything, as there are no rules or guidelines. If we are writing according to Julia Cameron’s Artists Way, we should aim not for the reward, but to experience the process to the fullest. In her book introduced in 1992, The Artist’s Way, she proposed this method of creative writing every morning.

Think of your pages like a whisk broom. You stick the broom into all the corners of your consciousness. If you do this first thing in the morning, you are laying out your track for the day.- Julia Cameron

She states that this writing practice is not aimed at the writers only, but can be beneficial to other professionals. For example, after practising Morning Pages lawyers become more effective at work, and dancers enhance their balance.

Recently, all her creative ideas were summarised in an e-book, The Miracle of Morning Pages Cameron, where she suggests that art needs a more playful inflow. Writing to capture those ideas requires the perception that the work is a play and can be fun.  

You are not journaling to solve the problem, experience the joy of reminding yourself about the good day. You are actually getting to know yourself and exploring your morning thoughts.

Morning Pages work if you are willing to spend more than 40 min and write without distractions. 

It is important, to make it a habit and to boost accountability, Cameron suggests making a deal with yourself. So, you may see that it requires some commitment for X days.

If you are shy or scared that your child or spouse will find your journal and read your Morning Pages flow, you won’t be able to write freely. You may write for 40 min, but keep a significant part to yourself. To eliminate this obstacle, you may destroy your Morning Pages after writing.

Remember, there are no rules and no criticism. We are here to experience the process, not to count how many pages you produced.

My first trial of Morning Pages

When I started Morning Pages, I found it challenging to keep writing. I was convinced 1 page is enough. I enjoyed the process, as it was quick, I used my favourite journal and a gel pen (sometimes I use ink), because then my thoughts can be captured faster since I think faster than I write. 

 

   Writing by hand is like going 35 mph – Julia Cameron

 

 

 

I keep writing for 15 min as a usual journaling practice, however, it didn’t reach the only one and most important goal – writing a minimum of 3 pages.

When I checked the time, it was just 10 min, so I told myself to carry on and see what happens when I fill page 3. After 45 min I was astonished. I relived a pallet of emotions. Let me share with you how my first experience almost put me off.

At the start, I was angry, and sad. I didn’t want to start a day in a new environment far away without my close friends. I was keeping my emotions to myself, trying to pretend everything is okay.

My resistance to negative emotions and feelings was about to be masked under the smile and busy schedule. In this way, I could escape thinking about the real issues, big projects and doing what I have to.

We all are good at masking, especially when it may be painful. At the start, my inner critic elaborated on the voices of my parents and made me feel low. Honestly, I started crying and could not write because my unconsciousness knew better what I need rather than my rational brain. I couldn’t hide now in my journaling or bullet points. I had to fill those 3 pages.

 

After experiencing emotional catharsis I realised that I can be funny, serious, smart and bold at the same time. I started laughing while writing, as the thoughts that I was putting on the paper were hilarious. 

In her book, Julia Cameron states that “Each morning, as we face the page, we meet ourselves. The pages give us a place to vent and a place to dream. They are intended for no eyes but our own.”

Maybe that’s what our subconscious is – inner hilarious self ready for a transformation?

After ruminating for 20 min I was able to breathe and think. To my surprise, I realised that I started repeating negative thoughts and stayed in the same loop over and over again.

Is everything really so negative? – I thought to myself and looked at the last few sentences.

I was astonished because my thinking pattern had a pattern making me believe what wasn’t there.

It was such as natural process which led to great results. I accomplished an emotional retreat. Now I could think clearly and start my day without repressing my feelings or believing my inner critic. I left it in my Morning Pages.

Morning Pages vs Journaling

When we have to make a decision, we take time to think. We think deeply until we get the best result. This process is different when you start writing Morning Pages.

In the morning you are half-asleep and you don’t think about the obstacles or barriers. You have no filters. That’s the biggest difference between Morning Pages and Journaling.

When you journal, you take time to think, address several issues or plan your day, capture good moments, explore emotions and write creatively adding gratitude. It is a form of personal-development tool to improve concentration, wellbeing, and remind your “why”.

In contrast, Morning Pages have more room for unexpected writing. You can check the differences in this table.

Morning Pages	Journaling
“Brain drain” without reading back	Self-exploration and learning
Minimum 3 pages	Flexible
Do it as a first thing in the morning	As needed, morning/evening
Half-conscious state	Focused
Minimum decision-making	Aimed to solve problems
Reduces tension, anxiety and depressive mood, emotional “catharsis”	Reduces stress, self-doubt, worries and anxiety
Initiates creativity discovery	Captures very well-thought ideas, plans, dreams, and goals

After journaling, I don’t experience such an emotional revelation as after Morning Pages, which pushes me without mercy to my limits. Indeed, uncovering the ice of your subconscious may be heartbreaking. But, to see a rainbow, there should be rain, right?

I enjoyed Morning Pages, but would not be doing it every day, as it becomes a habit. Personally, I would like to perceive it more as a  creative writing session. I would apply consistency and morning elements to my journaling routine.

Since the age of 12 I was journaling, thus I believe I have discipline in this area and will keep writing in the morning, but not for 1 hour. Sometimes 10 min or 20 min is enough. 

During the tough moments or when I have to make a decision, I would come back to Morning Pages to get that emotional “catharsis”.

Today we have so many apps and journaling types, but I would advise you to keep it flexible. Ask yourself what is your intention and experiment with it by setting time off. Choose a quiet environment. 

Although journaling has many benefits, be careful not to stay on the pages for too long – you have the world in front of you.

Brainstorm, eliminate blocks, and reduce the tension. You can make your ideas alive!

Final Word

Morning pages may have no sense for a beginner, but you are making time for thinking. You are connecting the words on paper.

Starting with Morning Pages is a great way to start a day by focusing on priorities and eliminating blocks.

I would highly recommend Morning Pages for a creative professional or a writer. It will help you to unleash new thinking patterns, and eliminate writer’s block. If you are not a writer, I still suggest you try Morning Pages.

Remember, this tool is always available to you – you just need a pen, notebook and a cosy place. 

What journaling type do you prefer? What is your experience with Morning Pages? Let us know in the comments section down below!

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Happy Journaling:)

Better awareness, better results

A&A