dawn journaling

At the end of July I decided I wanted to start my day with free writing.
Fifteen minutes, first thing, releasing a stream of consciousness.
Routines for me are essential, they keep me safe and I tend thrive when I am allowed to create a routine that works for me.   Having read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, I have dipped in and out of Morning Pages (as she calls them). 
For me, the benefits of free writing, as opposed to prompted journaling, is that it serves as a daily mind cleanse.  Three pages, first thing, no filter, no judgement. It's early days but I am certainly feeling clearer and more able to face the day (and dare I say, more productive!)
In case you need some convincing, I have included some benefits below:

 Clear your mind → Start your day with focus
 Unlock creativity → Fresh ideas often flow
 Emotional release → A safe space for worries + frustrations
 Self-awareness → Spot patterns + connect with your true voice
 Productivity → Prioritise what matters
 Problem-solving → Answers often appear on the page

This month I will be going Live on Instagram For me, pen and paper, open mind, open heart and non judgement. Keep an eye on my stories for details of dates and times. Or you could try it at home:

Find a quiet space
Make yourself comfortable
Unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders and take a deep breath, hold and release
Pick up your pen and start to write (some people choose/have to do it digitally also)
Either fill three pages or I like to write for around 10 minutes)
Gently close your journal, hold it in your hand
Visualise the words inside without judgement
Take a deep breathe, hold and release
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Have a great day