I have always struggled with high mental load – having lots of things swirling around my mind at the same time, related to chores, to-do lists, and calendars. I woke up stressed every morning, and ended up mentally paralysed and procrastinating when I tried to tackle anything from decluttering to life admin.
That's until I discovered the habit of writing 'Morning Pages'. Created by artist and author Julia Cameron, the method was initially designed to help creatives overcome mental blocks by providing an outlet for busy thoughts. It is now my favorite way to organize my day, and as a result, I finally have clarity managing the chores in my home.
I've said goodbye to decision paralysis and stressful starts to the day, and it is certainly my new favorite home organizing idea that I will continue in the new year. Here's why professional organizers love it too, and how to use it in your home for the best start to 2026.
What Are Morning Pages?
Julia first mentioned Morning Pages in her 1992 book The Artist's Way, available at Amazon. Her core practice involves writing three longhand pages upon waking up in a stream-of-consciousness style task. This can involve jotting down free-flowing thoughts with no care for grammar, spelling, or creating a perfect structure. Any thought that comes to mind, be it positive, negative, related to tasks and chores, or something you are simply looking forward to, all go down onto the page as they come to your mind first thing.
Although it might not sound like this will have any impact on managing at home, it is one of the best ways to reduce mental load, says Meera Sharma, certified KonMari consultant and tidying coach, and founder of Spark Joy with Meera.
She shares, 'You may have heard of "tidy home, tidy mind" before, but the reverse is also true: A tidy mind is more capable of creating a tidy, organized space and organizing schedule than a mind that is bogged down by mental clutter.
'Just as tidying up your physical environment creates room for the things and activities you cherish, decluttering your mind sets you up for a productive day by removing the metaphorical cobwebs that are obscuring your vision and impeding your progress,' she explains.
'It's like rinsing your brain first thing in the morning. By letting go of what’s weighing you down, you reduce your mental load and empower yourself to attend to the tasks and pressures of the day with a calm and clear mind, setting you up for success.'
It is the most relaxing way to make a to-do list less overwhelming.
Each bundle of three notebooks features three books with full-color covers, stitched binding, gold foil accents, and 64 ruled pages. It'll make it easier to stick with it when you have a gorgeous notebook to jot your Morning Pages in.
After decluttering my nightstand, I made a home for a small notebook (from Walmart) so that I am encouraged to write my pages as soon as I wake up. This practice has the added benefit of keeping me off my phone when I first open my eyes, preventing immediate overstimulation to help better organize my morning routine.
Some mornings I don't reach three pages, and others I go way beyond. The idea is to simply dump everything out into a physical format so I do not have to worry about storing it in my brain all day. It has gone hand in hand with swapping my digital to-do list for a physical one, as I can use my pages as a reference point throughout the day, ensuring I don't miss my most important chores and helping me to split up and schedule the rest.
Elise Joan, co-founder, celebrity wellness expert, and partner at Arc Longevity, uses them very similarly, sharing, 'I’m a big believer in the morning ‘brain dump’ to help set me up for a clearer day ahead. Every morning after I read my gratitude list (a short list of the things I’m most grateful for) and before I check my phone or open my laptop, I have a non-negotiable practice of ‘brain-dumping’ via stream-of-consciousness journaling.
'I remind myself I don’t need to write perfect sentences that make sense, it’s about clearing space to start my day in freedom. When I’m organized on the inside, everything around me reflects it. My home feels lighter, my choices feel clearer, and life flows with more intention.'
If, like me, you are constantly stressed about managing your home and are often tidying when you feel overwhelmed, writing Morning Pages may be for you. It can even help you to avoid decluttering resentment or help you become a morning person by reducing that sense of early-hours dread.
When adding morning pages to your opening shift routine, Victoria Nielsen, an accredited energy healer for female leaders, TEDx Speaker, and women's holistic wellness expert, encourages you to be open to your emotions, sharing, 'Morning Pages are something I prescribe to all of my clients, and I also used them myself to move through the emotions of a miscarriage in 2018.
'Writing out all the things you're thinking of – no matter how big or small – reassures the mind that you aren't going to forget, and frees up space for you to begin to think creatively because your amygdala isn't in survival mode. The free-association time also allows ah-ha moments and insights to arrive with more ease, allowing you mental clarity.
'It's also a great energy check-in. How does it feel to sit and write this morning? Icky, easy, like the last thing you want to do? Even how well (or not) the words are flowing can be information for you to collect about your mental state.'
Having tried Morning Pages for three months and getting everything out of my head first thing, I have found that I can invest myself fully in my day. Whether that is trying out decluttering methods to create breathing room in my home or trucking through life admin, it is for sure the best habit of highly organized homeowners that I want to stick with throughout the new year.
What to Shop
Each bundle of three notebooks features three books with faux leather covers, stitched binding, and 192 ruled pages.
Handy for everyday note-taking, business, or journal writing, this wrapped journal features beautiful gilded pages. It comes in five color options, and every letter of the alphabet for initial customization.
Since its first publication, The Artist's Way phenomenon has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose.
Embellished with quirky phrases, these pens come in three colors - green, pink, and black. They use gel ink, and are made in the USA.
Prefer to keep things digital? Opt for a digital notepad such as the Kindle Scribe to keep everything easy to access while minimizing paper waste. With AI tools to transform your notes, the scribe can convert messy handwriting into a readable font, summarize your notes, and change their length and tone.
This bestselling book packs so much information into a mere 200 pages, in a readable and digestible format that's accessible to all readers of all ages.
Meet the Experts
Tired of feeling like you have to give up your free time to tackle chores? Try scheduling white space into your day to create better balance and ensure a clean home that doesn't have you tearing your hair out.
