Keep It Going, Gently: A Recommendation for Morning Pages [A Minimalist Favorite]

Drifting through the vast expanse of the internet, I came across a single book. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron—and with it, the habit known as “Morning Pages.” Before I knew it, two years had already passed.

If you have any interest in minimalism or journaling, chances are you’ve heard of it at least once. But it was only after actually sticking with it that I truly understood why it enjoys such widespread support. This time, I’d like to write about my own approach to Morning Pages and the tangible changes that have occurred in my daily life.

⭐︎ My Method

1. Using the iPhone Notes App

The method recommended by the author, Julia Cameron, is to write by hand with a pen on paper, three pages in an A4 notebook. At first, I followed those rules faithfully. But perhaps because I press too hard when I write, I quickly developed mild tendinitis. On top of that, paper is bulky, and you can’t search it later. These small inconveniences piled up, and within a few days, I switched to digital.

Of course, I know perfectly well that handwriting is ideal. Still, when it comes to habits like this, the most important thing is simply “continuing.” Being consistent is far more valuable than being perfect. With that in mind, I eventually settled—unsurprisingly—on the iPhone Notes app. It lets me relax my shoulders and keep going without strain. That’s enough. Far better than not doing it at all.

↑ Write down whatever comes to mind right after waking up. A simple habit.

2. Writing Anytime, Anywhere, Whenever I Feel Like It

According to the original rules, you’re supposed to sit at your desk immediately after waking up and write silently. This is basically my style too. But there are mornings when things are too busy for that kind of luxury—and I’m sure many people would agree.

So I decided to write “whenever I feel like it.” In the car after arriving at work, in the waiting room at the dentist, or while spacing out at home. And even if there are days when I don’t write, I don’t blame myself. What matters is not aiming for perfection.

The same goes for the content. When I look back at my very first entry, dated December 13, 2023, it starts with: “Sleepy. Cold. Hungry. I don’t know what to write.” It made me laugh out loud. But the essence hasn’t changed even now. I just write whatever I’m thinking.

⭐︎ Points Where I Feel My Life Has Changed Significantly

1. My Writing Speed Has Increased Dramatically

A diary, in a sense, is a continuous process of organizing situations and putting them into words. By doing this every day, my ability to verbalize what I feel has been naturally trained. In fact, I’ve been writing short daily entries and slightly longer monthly ones on my own website for over five years now—but after continuing all this, the speed at which I write those diary entries is incomparable to before.

2. I’ve Become Surprisingly Good at Organizing My Emotions

I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t voice complaints or badmouth others very much. Because of that, I sometimes bottled things up or took them out on people close to me (looking back, there’s only regret).

Now, even when something irritates me, I can think, “I’ll write about it later,” and take a breath. Even if I don’t actually write it down, having that space helps with anger management. As a result, stress-induced overeating and staying up late have almost disappeared.

Writing allows me to look at both myself and others from a slightly more detached perspective. Even after something unpleasant happens, I can approach work the next day with a fresh mindset. Above all, it serves as an excellent buffer before impulsively venting on social media. When I reread entries later and think, “Why was I so angry back then?” it happens more often than you’d expect.

3. I’ve Learned to Notice My True Feelings

One reason “writing immediately after waking up” is recommended is probably because the less clear your consciousness is, the more easily your true feelings surface. As I write, I’ve had more moments of realization—“So this is what I really felt.” And more importantly, I’ve learned to value those feelings.

In an age where we tend to suppress our true thoughts out of concern for others’ eyes, Morning Pages genuinely function as a trigger for shining light on buried emotions.

Conclusion

It helps clear your mind, reflect on your growth, and notice changes within yourself. Seen that way, Morning Pages is a habit with nothing but benefits. With the new year approaching, now is the perfect time to start. Sitting at a desk with your favorite notebook and pen is great—but so is picking up your smartphone while still in bed.

May this small morning habit gently, yet surely, guide your everyday life in a better direction.