How to Clear Out Your Mind Gunk

Being clear about what you truly want in your life makes a huge difference.

I’ve had times in my life where I’ve been unclear, confused, lost. And I’ve had times when I’ve been crystal clear. The clear times are definitely more fun!

My favorite path to clarity is “lights on” coaching. It’s powerful, fast, effective, and fun. Today’s post offers an additional path to clarity.

Either of these approaches will help you get clearer. Combine them and you’ll be well on your way to cleaning out the gunk, following your own internal navigation system, and creating a life you love. 

There is a simple way to:

* Clean the gunk out of your head

* Make sense of your life

* Discover new solutions to problems

* Create a deeper connection with yourself

* Hear your still small voice

* Access insights and inspiration

* Be honest with yourself

* Unlock your creativity

* Listen to your heart

* Access your intuition

If you’d like some or all of this in your life (and who wouldn’t!?!) you may be wondering how.

The answer is morning pages.

Many, many people have experienced these benefits and more from this one simple practice.

What Are Morning Pages?

Morning pages are three pages of stream of consciousness writing.

They offer a way to clear out your brain fog and mind chatter so that you can connect with yourself. From that, who knows what wonders will appear?

When I first read about morning pages, I was skeptical.

I’d already been journaling on and off for years. How could writing three pages really do anything for me? They’ll take too much time. I’m not a morning person. I don’t like to write long-hand. And on and on.

“Anyone who faithfully writes morning pages will be lead to a connection with a source of wisdom” promises Julia Cameron, who devised morning pages and popularized then in her book, The Artist’s Way.

Reading that promise years ago led me to try the pages, in spite of my many objections. Then and many times over the years since, I’ve found them immensely valuable.

Morning pages have given me refuge, support, clarity, direction, ideas, and inspiration during tough times and life transitions. 

Try Them for Yourself

Morning pages are better experienced than explained so I suggest if you have some curiosity or interest about them, that you try them for 90 days. Then you’ll know what they can do for you.

If you are feeling confused, stuck, overwhelmed. . .

If something is missing in your life. . . .

If you are wondering where to go or what to do with your life. . .

If you’re in some sort of life transition. . . .

If your inner critic is talking a lot . . .

If you feel disconnected from yourself . . .

Give morning pages a try.
 

How?

Here’s how to do them.

1) Write 3 pages first thing in the morning. Do them before you get up and start your day, while you’re in between sleep and fully awake.

2) Write them long-hand, not on the computer.

3) Write a stream of consciousness. Whatever comes to mind, write it down. If you don’t know what to write, write “I don’t know what to write.” Just keep your hand moving on the page.

The pages are just you on paper. What shows up on the page is what you think, feel, like, dislike, love, fear, hope for, are planning, regret, desire.

4) If your inner critic arises, keep writing. You can write what the critic is saying if you like.

5) Don’t look back, edit, or spell check. These pages are not meant to be art or even good writing. The writing is just a tool.

6) Keep writing until you have filled 3 pages.

7) Write the pages every day. Whether you want to or not, feel like it or not. Write them.

8.) Show them to no one.

9) Don’t read them yourself for at least 8 weeks.

Yes, yes, I know those are a lot of rules. They’re based on Julia Cameron’s instructions. She has had years of experience herself and teaching others morning pages. She knows what works so it’s worth following her lead.

She does have reasons for these rules. If you want to know more about them, read her book, “Artist’s way” or this more detailed explanation of  Morning Pages  on her webstie.

My Tips

Some people have done morning pages regularly for years and years. I’ve done them on and off, sometimes for months at a time.

I tend to do morning pages when I’m confused, struggling, in the midst of a transition. It’s a way to get the whirl of thoughts and feelings out of me and to clear space for something else to arise. I’ve found them to be very helpful.

I do follow Julia’s rules.

It usually takes me 20-25 minutes to do three pages. 

I use a 3 ring binder with lined notebook paper.

I basically scribble. It doesn’t matter if I can read the writing as I rarely go back in the pages. After a while I just throw the pages out.

While I’m writing I keep a tiny notebook nearby and if I come up with solutions, ideas, or to-dos I want to keep track of I jot them there.

In Your Life

If you’re trying to figure out what to do with your life, if you’re stuck, if you’re in transition, please give morning pages a try.

Commit to doing them for 90 days and see how they work for you.

Write whatever comes to mind.

Weird, silly, stupid, petty. Whining, complaining, criticizing. Joy, gratitude, celebration. Grief, worry, anger, fear. Confusion, resentment, negativity.  Dreams, desires, longings.

There’s room for all of it. Pour it out onto the pages. Who knows what clarity, creativity, insight, inspiration, and wisdom you may uncover!

Have you used morning pages? Are you going to try them? Thoughts or questions? Click on Comments  and write away.