I use journaling as a way to process what’s going on in my life. I use it to get out nasty thoughts, savour good ones, and turn fleeting moments into memories I can time travel through whenever I feel like it. It’s been a thing I’ve done on and off for years, usually returning to consistently when things get hard and sticky. This past year has been the most consistent ever, and not because it was hard and sticky but because there were so many things happening that I never want to forget. In the last twelve months I’ve filled nearly 3 journals - a black leather Moleskine, a red and gold beauty gifted in Scotland, and by the year’s end I’ll have filled the pages of the soft leather book you see in the photos. 

Even when I was doing it pretty consistently I would never have considered journaling to be part of my routine. But in October I started the Artist’s Way and took up Morning Pages (3 full pages of stream of consciousness writing done every single morning, whether you want to or not). It’s taken my journaling to the next level and allowed me to not only form a practice but turn it into a full blown morning ritual that looks a little something like this:

Every morning, weekends included, my alarm goes off at 6:30. 

I give the dog a wee scratch, he licks my nose, I plug in the twinkle lights, and together we head downstairs to greet the still darkness of the new day. 

I let him outside for his morning pee, fill up his bowl with food and begin the process of making coffee for the fam: rinse out the filter, wash out the pot, 8 scoops of coffee, 8 cups of water, flick on the switch and a few minutes later we’ve got a pot of steaming hot, life-giving bean juice.

I fill up my favourite mug, head back upstairs, tuck into bed, pull out my journal, untie the wrap and begin writing. 

Sometimes the words flow quickly - I have a lot on my mind and fully formed thoughts fill the pages in no time at all. Other mornings, most mornings, my thoughts trickle out slowly - I’m thoughtful with my words and even though these pages aren’t meant for anyone to see, I want to be sure that the words I pour into them come from thoughts that are meaningful, intentional and somewhat insightful.

3 pages, an empty coffee mug and about 45 minutes later, I cap my pen, close my book and secure the leather tie. I take a couple breaths, throw off the duvet, place both feet on my sheepskin rug and send myself into the rest of the day. 

Before this, mornings were a thing that happened every day simply because they had to. An alarm went off at a set time to give me just enough time to eat breakfast, drink coffee, wash my face, brush my teeth and get to where I needed to be right on time.

Now my days start in a way that I choose. For the first time in my life I’m choosing to start my day for me and not because I have somewhere to be or something to do. I’m choosing to wake up before the sun and anyone else in the house so that I can have nearly a full hour to myself just being and writing and connecting with myself and the universe. It’s beautiful and I love it.

How do you start your days? Are you a ritual person, a coffee person, a tea person, a journal-by-candle-light person? Maybe you’re more of a wake-up-put-on-music-dance-around-the-kitchen-making-breakfast kind of person? However your day starts, I’d love to know! Comments, emails, Instagram DMs all welcome!