Morning pages are three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing each morning, a practice from Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way. Strictly they need no prompt, but on blank mornings a starter such as "What's on my mind before I check my phone?" gets the first line down. After that, keep writing without stopping or rereading.
24 morning pages prompts
- What's on my mind before I check my phone?Write it blind
- What did I dream about, or what do I remember of it?Write it blind
- What am I dreading today, and what am I looking forward to?Write it blind
- Today will be a good day if...Write it blind
- What's the one thing I most want to get done?Write it blind
- What did I leave unfinished yesterday?Write it blind
- How does my body feel this morning?Write it blind
- What am I telling myself about today that might not be true?Write it blind
- Who do I need to talk to today?Write it blind
- What would I do today if I had twice the energy?Write it blind
- What's annoying me that I haven't said out loud?Write it blind
- What am I curious about right now?Write it blind
- Describe what you can see from where you're sitting.Write it blind
- What would make today feel less rushed?Write it blind
- What did I learn yesterday?Write it blind
- What do I keep meaning to start?Write it blind
- I'm grateful for...Write it blind
- Where do I want to be by tonight, in any sense?Write it blind
- What's a small kindness I could do today?Write it blind
- What thought woke up with me?Write it blind
- What am I proud of from this week so far?Write it blind
- What is the most honest sentence I could write right now?Write it blind
- What can I let go of today?Write it blind
- Write the to-do list, then write what's underneath it.Write it blind
How to use prompts with morning pages
- Write the prompt as your first line, then keep going wherever it leads. Don't stay on topic.
- Aim for three pages, or about 750 words if you type. Many people treat 750 typed words as the equivalent of three handwritten pages.
- Don't reread until the pages are done, and preferably not for weeks.
- Drop the prompt once you're warmed up. Most mornings you won't need it after the first week.
New to the practice? Read our guide to starting a morning pages habit, including a phone-friendly version.
Morning pages vs. journaling
Morning pages are about clearing your head, not recording your life, so they're usually messier than a journal. If you want reflective questions for later in the day, use the journal prompts. Both rely on the same rule as freewriting: write first, judge never.
Frequently asked questions
Do morning pages have to be handwritten?
Julia Cameron recommends longhand. Plenty of people type them instead because it's the only way they'll do them. A version you keep up beats a perfect version you skip.
How long do morning pages take?
Usually 20 to 45 minutes for three handwritten pages. Typing is often faster.
Can I use the blind writing pad for morning pages?
Yes, for a short session: the blind writing pad blurs each sentence once it's written, so you can't reread as you go, and the text stays in your browser. For full three-page sessions, the Blind Draft app has a 750-word goal and Invisible mode.
