The bookend to June is here. Yes, the last month of summer has arrived. Greetings August! The goldenrods and salvia are in bloom. Tomatoes, zukes, and peppers are ready for harvest. The last chance for summer getaways is upon us. This month is also filled with many quirky holidays. National Water Balloon Day, Sandcastle Day, and Lazy Day all fall in August. How fun! Along with National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Ice Cream Sandwich Day, and Homemade Pie Day. How tasty! Before I say good-bye to this season, I hope to soak in a few rays at the beach, savor a few more backyard BBQs, and spend some quiet time in my Zen Garden. All good stuff. In addition, I’ll be welcoming back a self-care activity that I’ve been a fan of since 1992. This particular path to being more creative is one that only requires about a half hour of my time each day, a pencil, or in my case a pen, and paper. Details next, but first a recap of July’s rejuvenating experience!
From my journal: July 2, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“Just a few days in, Wall Pilates isn’t as easy as it looks! I feel it!”
I planned on choosing a few Wall Pilates exercises to do three times a week during July. But after reading Wall Pilates Workouts for Women by Sophy Harrington and familiarizing myself with the Core, Upper & Lower Body, Balance & Stability, Flexibility & Stretching, and Whole-Body Integration Exercises, I decided to follow the 28-day workout challenge included. All I can say is, “Wow!” although some days I was saying, “Ow!” Not an “Ow” as in I’m hurt, no, just that soreness that lets you know what you’re doing is working. While the movements are slow and gentle, I felt my muscles being activated and stretched every time.
The 28-day program was good for me. Each day focused on an overall body workout and the individual exercises varied daily. I liked that Day 7 was a rest day, a perfect breather at the end of each week. I practiced against a wall that faced a mirror which helped me correct my form and align my body properly. Seeing myself definitely made me aware of doing each exercise with more intent, control, and fluidity.
This at-home version of Pilates was effective and straight forward but also demanding. I liked the support of the wall and noticed that it made me pay attention to my posture. A plus, for sure. And these exercises are ones I can do just about anywhere. Always good. Another big takeaway was this experience reminded me that over time and with practice I can continue to progress further in terms of my strength, stability, and flexibility.
August will be dedicated to what is known as Morning Pages. Yay! Created by Julia Cameron, Morning Pages along with Artist Dates are the two main tools used in her 12-week course presented in her bestselling book The Artist’s Way. This guide can be useful for those interested in discovering or recovering their spiritual and creative self. These days I am feeling the need to “empty my head” more often of heavy thoughts weighing on me. And while my usual journaling can help, I know employing the Morning Pages method can further lead to letting the light of new ideas, my creativity if you will, shine through.
From my journal: June 3, 2019, Newbury Park, California
“Happy 1st Day of Morning Pages!…I know these work because I’ve been doing “pages” for decades..I first did these more than 20 years ago…time again because I need to connect to why I feel so blocked…”
Like visiting with a longtime friend I haven’t seen in a while, I am excited to begin my Morning Pages again. As mentioned, I have used this process many times, most recently six years ago. It’s basically setting aside time first thing each morning to record three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing in longhand. Simple! I’ll write down any thoughts, feelings, absolutely anything that comes to mind on three standard size pages on day one, then do it again on day two, and so on, and so on.
Cameron devised this method of writing to help artists of any kind get out of their own way. To push through creative blocks by offering a daily outlet for whatever’s going on in their heads, and to recognize negative thoughts and challenge inner critics. Recording thoughts as they occur instead of in a structured way, lets things out and opens space up. Drawing from her own experience as an author, playwright, composer, teacher, filmmaker and more, Cameron has used Morning Pages to reveal more of her own authentic creativity. And while designed with artists in mind, this technique can be beneficial to students, parents, business CEOs, really anyone who wants to live and work more creatively.
While the “what” of Morning Pages is not important, the “how” is. Why morning? Because it’s when we are fresh and as Cameron puts it, “before our ego defenses are in place”. She talks about our inner critic and outer censor that keep us from moving forward. But by writing first thing in the day there’s a better chance of evading them. Why longhand? Neuroscience research has shown that act of moving your hand across a page while writing words down has a positive effect on your brain. It can hone our problem-solving skills, encourage innovative thinking, and boost creativity. Why three pages? Our minds relate well in 3s and it’s said that quality is often a function of quantity. And as Cameron writes: “The second page-and-a-half comes harder but often contains paydirt.” And she adds that after three pages, one needs to stop in order to sidestep “self-involvement.”
My journal and pen are at the ready and I have revised my daily routine to begin with my Morning Pages. Can’t wait to get started write away!
A Journal Journey 