I've never tried morning pages, but I have a virtual journal that I use for almost the same purpose. It's for (slightly more organised) free-writing about books and people and everything else. Pretty much every time I'm upset, I journal to figure out what caused my bad mood.
When I re-started journaling in April, one of the things that tripped me up was the whole this-is-only-for-yourself thing. I was so used to writing for other people, for an audience (real or imagined) that writing a journal felt like throwing away words. Anyway, it's one of the most helpful things I do now, so I'm glad I stuck with it.
Yes, I totally understand what you're talking about! Sometimes, I catch myself writing in my journal as though it were going to be for an "audience," but then I remind myself that this is just for me. Morning pages has really got me to stop writing for an audience because I can't go back and change it--I have to keep my hand moving!
I've never tried morning pages, but I have a virtual journal that I use for almost the same purpose. It's for (slightly more organised) free-writing about books and people and everything else. Pretty much every time I'm upset, I journal to figure out what caused my bad mood.
When I re-started journaling in April, one of the things that tripped me up was the whole this-is-only-for-yourself thing. I was so used to writing for other people, for an audience (real or imagined) that writing a journal felt like throwing away words. Anyway, it's one of the most helpful things I do now, so I'm glad I stuck with it.
Yes, I totally understand what you're talking about! Sometimes, I catch myself writing in my journal as though it were going to be for an "audience," but then I remind myself that this is just for me. Morning pages has really got me to stop writing for an audience because I can't go back and change it--I have to keep my hand moving!
So glad you've also found journaling helpful! :)