Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Showing Up to the Page #SOL21

I have never been a morning person.  I hit the snooze button until I can’t.  Occasionally, that can be up to four times because I always have the intention to wake up early.  My wake up time (especially during the week) crept later and later as the year progressed.  As a result, my wake up ritual and time to prepare for the kiddos to enter class dwindled, and the mornings ended up being a whirlwind.  That was definitely not a great way to start the day.

About one month ago, I made a commitment to write first thing in the morning.  I wanted to check out what other writers were calling morning pages.  I watched Julia Cameron’s video on Morning Pages and made a plan.  I decided to start during the holiday break because that would give me a good 10-day stretch to try them out without affecting my sleep schedule.  The true test would be when I returned to school because I would have to wake up 50 minutes earlier to maintain the practice.  


Somewhere along the way, my writing friend from Canada heard me talking about my goal.  She, too, wanted to write early and started hosting a Zoom meeting during the week.  I thought an accountability partner was just what I needed, but it has become much more than that.  I begin my day writing with a friend, and honestly, it is the BEST way to start a day.  I 


While I come to Zoom and my journal groggy and with heavy eyes, I leave feeling calm, clear, and ready to tackle the day.  I dump all the thoughts running through my head into my notebook, and I often have time to prepare myself for what the day has to offer.  


I have missed two mornings over the last 21 days.  It seems as though it has been longer than that and feels like a necessity.  Now, I wake up before my alarm goes off, don’t hit the snooze button, and jump out of bed to write with Karen.  This is one commitment I see sticking with me.


I am participating in Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life Weekly Challenge.




6 comments:

  1. Wow, Heather, I'm jealous! In the Teach Write chat, I was just going back and forth with Donnetta and Christie that I would love to be a morning writer, but it seems impossible because we wake up at 5 AM to be out the door by 6 AM. I'm more of a morning person, so I would love to write in the morning. What time do you Zoom write? How cool is it that you have an accountability partner you write with!

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  2. Britt, I usually hop on Zoom a little before 6 a.m. (EST). Karen starts the meeting around 5:45 and stays on longer than I do. Lately, Erica comes in as I am leaving. Let me know if you are interested. It would be great to write with you.

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  3. This is a story of achievement Heather. It sings in your words. Developing routines and rituals as a writer is both important and affirming. Our processes are important and developing effective habits delivers energy. Bravo!

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  4. Heather, this is a really cool post. I'm a morning person, but my other activities don't allow writing to be something I do at that time. I'm a bit jealous of those of you who can (but I like my choices as well). Thanks for sharing this!

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  5. Oh great! I was just going through Julia's stuff again as well. I am also not a morning person but started over winter break and now have fallen away again. I love that you have a writing partner of Zoom. Nice idea!

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  6. I didn't know you guys were doing this! So cool! I honestly don't know where my writing would be without our Teach Write ZOOMs. i find them -- especially the participants -- incredibly motivating. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com

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