One day, during a deep daydream, my eyes landed on a familiar book resting on my shelf - "The Artist’s Way" by Julia Cameron. A battle raged within me, debating whether to dismiss it as mere coincidence or take the book and explore its contents. As I revisited the table of contents, my heart swelled with nostalgia as I stumbled upon my handwritten notes from 1998.
A lightbulb moment struck me like lightning. I used to engage in daily journaling, including the renowned "Morning Pages" exercise. I retrieved a few dusty notebooks from storage, and as I skimmed through my old writings, a thought emerged - "Why not revive the practice of Morning Pages, but with a twist?" I couldn't commit to waking up 30 minutes before my alarm; it was too extreme for my liking. So, I devised my own version - "Daily Pages."
"Art is the imagination at play in the field of time. Let yourself play." Julia Cameron
Daily Pages mirror Morning Pages but occur later in the day. It may seem like a straightforward exercise, but from two years of experience, I've come to understand that it can be more challenging than one might expect.
To embark on your Daily Pages journey, all you need is a notebook, a pen or pencil, and a quiet space where you can write without interruption for 20-30 minutes. The task is simple: handwrite three pages without pause.
So, what do you jot down in your Daily Pages?
1. Dream Reports: You can start by documenting any vivid dreams from the previous night.
2. Self-Check-Ins: Use this space for a personal assessment, detailing your current mindset, or tackling ongoing challenges.
3. Observations: Describe your surroundings - the sky, the sounds of birds outside, or your blank thoughts. Often, a topic will naturally emerge.
4. Daily Plans: Outline your agenda for the day, from household tasks to your next art project.
5. Project Exploration: Dive into your ongoing creative projects or anything else that occupies your mind.
There are no strict rules regarding the content. The only principle to abide by is to keep writing without stopping for three pages. Unlike typing, which can lead to racing thoughts, handwriting forces your mind to slow down, fostering deeper introspection.
The benefits of Daily Pages are profound:
Commitment: The act of completing three pages without interruption builds discipline and consistency.
Idea Preservation: Writing down your thoughts is essential to prevent the stress of forgetting valuable ideas. It's a productive outlet that relieves anxiety.
Confidence Boost: Consistently finishing this daily task can boost your creative confidence, much like achieving a planned gym session.
Self-Awareness: By reviewing your Daily Pages, you may uncover patterns and themes in your thoughts, facilitating deeper self-awareness and the opportunity for personal growth.
Goal Setting: It can help you clarify your desires and set achievable goals.
"Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating." John Cleese
In conclusion, Daily Pages have had a profound impact on my life. When I first started in 2020, I found myself using this space to vent about everything wrong in my life, drowning in negativity. Over time, I transitioned from merely identifying challenges to finding solutions. I also discovered my true identity as an artist.
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