“For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

I love journals. At last count, I have over 20. Most are in pristine condition, just sitting there, waiting their turn. I can’t resist buying them, especially from the dollar bins at Target. Currently, my journal is a slightly used one with a floral cover that I purchased for $0.25 at our church rummage sale. A few pages are torn out, but it's otherwise in perfect condition. I often wonder about those pages. Were they grocery lists? The beginning of a novel? A list of grievances? I’ll never know.

My journaling over the years has had starts and stops. Nothing stuck. I tried bullet journaling after I discovered it years ago but found it too daunting. I spent more time drawing and designing than I did writing, so it was quickly abandoned.

Morning Pages

In 2020, I began writing in earnest. It was nothing formal, but the writing process made me want to learn more about the art of writing. I came across Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way,” and it was just what I needed. I highly recommend this book if you want to fully tap into your creative side, whether it’s writing, painting, textiles, etc.

In her book, Cameron prescribes morning pages: Each day, before the world’s obligations take hold of your time and thoughts, sit down and fill three pages with words, stream of consciousness: “three pages of longhand, morning writing about absolutely anything,” as Cameron writes. Don’t overthink, and definitely don’t edit. Just write.

I began doing morning pages daily. I make a cup of good coffee (pour over is my brewing method of choice). Then, I go downstairs, grab my journal, set a timer for 20 minutes, and write. The 20 minutes is my addition to the rule; Cameron only advises filling three pages, but setting a specific time limit works better for me.

This practice has a few benefits:

• It clears the “junk” out of my brain. It may be random things I’m anxious about or thoughts on what I need to do that day. Sometimes, it’s fragments of dreams from the night before. I dump it all onto the page to make room in my brain for the coherent writing I want to do.

• It makes me aware of things hiding in my subconscious that need work, especially if the same themes keep coming up.

• It brings order to my day. Habits build on habits. I have woven these morning pages into my daily prayer time.

Cameron is specific in her instructions that morning pages aren’t for anyone else but you. She recommends tearing them out and throwing them away. Don’t reread them. I toss my journals in the trash once they’re filled.

Some mornings, if I’m feeling compelled to continue writing—and if time allows—I’ll grab a different journal or my computer and work on the fragments that may turn into a book. Or I’ll write a reflection like this one. Simply putting pen to paper for these morning pages stimulates the creative side of my brain.

Create a Journaling Practice

20 minutes is the right amount of time for me to do morning pages, but it may not work for your schedule. Try setting a timer for five or 10 minutes. You may discover that time flies by.

You don’t need an expensive leather-bound journal. I like using lined, grid, or dot pages, but blank pages stress me out. I have used journals that cost less than a dollar as well as costly journals. I’ve found that spiral-bound college-ruled notebooks are a great option as well. I am OK with skimping on the journal, but I need a great pen (these are my current favorite). I’ve tried morning pages using my computer, but it’s too easy to edit as I type. When I write with a pen, the words just flow out.

If you are trying to build a journaling habit, keep trying until you find what sticks. There are journals with daily prompts or gratitude journals. You could do Lectio Divina journaling along with your Bible reading. Bullet journaling may be a great option to bring visual order to your day. Find what you need for the season that you’re in.

I wish you happy journaling! May it inspire moments of clarity and spark that bring you one step closer to who God created you to be.

Cathi Kennedy is passionate about building relationships. At the University of Notre Dame, she advises graduate students for the Mendoza College of Business. Her background is in marketing and communications, and she recently received her MBA. Impassioned writer, voracious reader, aspiring knitter. Married to a musician and mom to two amazing sons. Cathi is a convert to Catholicism and seeks to learn something new about her faith every day. Connect with Cathi: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Blog