My mornings are sacred. It's a time I’ve carved out for myself, a routine I fiercely protect. After experiencing mega burnout, I learned the hard way how essential it is to set boundaries. Without this “me time,” I burn out quickly, becoming overwhelmed and anxious.
I start each day with intention. My phone remains in Do-Not-Disturb mode, and my front shades are drawn. The world outside may knock on my door, but I let in just enough light to keep the illusion of rest. It’s my signal to myself that this time is mine.
The Importance of "Me Time"
This routine is more than just a morning ritual—it's a lifeline. It's how I reconnect with myself, ground my energy, and prepare for the day. Without it, the pressures of life, especially living with chronic illness, can feel unbearable. My day begins with a few key practices that keep me grounded:
- Morning Pages: Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing, clearing my mental clutter.
- Gratitude, Meditation, and Prayer: I take a moment to be thankful and still, tuning into a deeper sense of peace.
- Daily Plan & Visualization: Positive affirmations, goal-setting, and visualizing my day’s path.
- Reading: I read a chapter from a book or for 15 minutes, whatever resonates that morning.
- Coffee & Cuddles with Dewey Lewis: My furry companion and I savor a moment of stillness together, sharing a breakfast snack.
I also prioritize daily lessons and personal development, working on courses that align with my goals, such as learning how to create a rewarding freelance career. And then it's onto the creative parts of my day—working on the blog, creating recipes, and preparing my radio show.
Setting Boundaries and Living with Intention
In future posts, I’ll dive deeper into how I set goals, follow my passions, and organize my daily routine. I've embraced a more Ayurvedic lifestyle, aiming to wake at 5 am and sleep by 10 pm. It doesn’t always work out perfectly, but I’ll share more on that journey as well.
What I want to share today is how Morning Pages transformed my life. I discovered them through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, a book that guided me out of a deep creative block and changed the course of my life.
A Journey from Suppression to Self-Advocacy
For years, I suppressed my creativity. I grew up loving art and music, dreaming of becoming a DJ or making art for a living. But when it came time for college, my birth father told me he wouldn’t pay for art school. He believed I should work my way up in retail, which led me down a path of studying medicine and nutrition instead. I paid for school myself and pushed through, but I soon realized modern medicine wasn’t working for me.
I was battling more than academic struggles. I was grappling with a body that was falling apart due to undiagnosed chronic illnesses: Celiac disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS, hypothyroidism, and more. My birth father and stepmother dismissed my symptoms as “growing pains” or being a “hypochondriac.” They told me I was being dramatic when I passed out or experienced intense pain.
The neglect of my health caused years of unnecessary suffering. It took therapy, self-advocacy, and tools like The Artist’s Way to begin my healing process. Morning Pages were a pivotal part of this journey. They allowed me to unload years of unprocessed trauma and rediscover who I truly was—an artist, a creator, a person with dreams worth pursuing.
How The Artist’s Way Changed My Life
Morning Pages are a simple yet profound tool. Each morning, I fill three pages with whatever is on my mind—no editing, no judgment, just writing. This daily habit clears my mental clutter, giving me a fresh perspective each day. Whether it's processing emotions, working through challenges, or even sparking new ideas, Morning Pages help me stay connected to my inner self.
Julia Cameron describes it beautifully in her book, and I encourage everyone—whether you're an artist or not—to give it a try. You don’t need to read The Artist’s Way to benefit from Morning Pages, but I highly recommend both. All you need is a notebook, a pen, and a little time. For me, my favorite tools are colorful composition books from Target and G2 pens, which make the process a bit more fun. I even decorate my notebooks with cute contact paper and stickers.
Morning Pages helped me start a pop-up shop, host a weekly radio show, return to school to finish my digital media studies, and launch several webpages. They’re a powerful tool that helped me reclaim my creative spark after years of suppression.
Julia Cameron Describes it best, here! {click to find out more}
Here is a clip from a podcast with Julia Cameron.
What’s Next?
I’ll continue sharing more about my journey—goal setting, following my passions, and how I manage my health alongside my creative projects. I hope my story resonates with other Spoonies, especially those who feel like they’ve had to give up on their dreams.
Have you tried Morning Pages or read The Artist’s Way?
How has it impacted your life? If you’re curious about starting, feel free to reach out, and we can be accountability partners.
You can also share your thoughts in the comments or over on the Spoonie Support Forum. I’d love to hear your experiences!
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How has this exercise been helpful?
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Thank you so much!
I am grateful for you,
I hope your day is delightful!
Peace, Love & Cosmic Bunny Rabbits!
-Tea
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