MORNING PAGES: One Year In | 424recording.com

[@jasonelambeth]

Trying to make out the movies in the background. I Love You Man, what else? Also, I was hoping that the Patreon post was a script.. It's like an audio book!

[@424Recording]

Hahaha good take, man! Yeah, I spent the morning working on that post and it felt like something to turn into a video. I think that's a cool aspect about the Patreon is the ability to write out some blogs like that and then make them into a video/podcast like this one. I think in the past, I would have made it into something right away but I think it helps to let it ferment for a minute. We need to do some new episodes soon! Haha I knew someone would point out the movies. They are (bottom to top): I Love You, Man, The Wedding Singer, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and True Lies. All movies that I've been wanting to watch but can't seem to find online anywhere. Public library ftw!

[@summerofgeorge585]

Good discussion on consistency in approach to creative endeavors. May not be getting income for making art/music, but I've often looked at it as my 'job' for the soul. Listening to this reminds me I need to be more consistent in daily creative activities. Another related but different aspect I've found helpful for focusing creativity in intentionally putting constraints around making music, i.e. only using specific pedals or tones etc. There a lot you can do, but limiting myself often helps focus my productivity. Nice to see the Analog Thoughts notification light up with a new episode!

[@424Recording]

Haha thanks, George! I was thinking of you when I was recording and putting this one up. I'm glad you're digging it. The daily routine idea has helped me out so much; another aspect of it, is not beating yourself up about it if you miss it. I kind of look at the channel/music stuff in a new light now. Like if I can do 15 minutes a day, as long as it is something toward the goal of being creative, that's what counts. I always think of that Confucius quote: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." I like the idea of constraints. That's one of the tenets of 4-track recording. Idk if you've heard of the cards that Brian Eno made for recording... I think one of them is along these lines. Great tip, and one I try to keep in mind when I'm having a hard time. I find the answer to a lot of my problems is often to simplify. Cheers, dude. Thanks for being subscribed to the podcast!

[@summerofgeorge585]

@@424Recording I'll have to look up those Eno notes. Yes, definitely the 4 track is by nature a constraint - in a good way. Keep me in mind for a guest slot and we'll discuss the 'slow your roll' approach to music creation.

[@424Recording]

That would be great! Let's do it. Jason and I are thinking of doing some random episodes from time to time

[@thejasontlewis]

Thanks for sharing this. I actually wrote morning pages for something like 8 pages and only stopped when I start working hard on my first novel. I've recently started getting back into it. It is hugely helpful. Did you do the whole Artist's Way thing along with the pages?

[@424Recording]

Thanks for watching! I just watched your video on becoming a full-time content creator. Great insights there. It'd be awesome to chat at some point. I was wondering about that, re: novel. I've been wanting to do some other writing than Morning Pages and that seems like the best bet, swapping out the practices. Yeah, it really sets the pace for the day. I actually haven't read the book. I forget how I got into it, might have been Tim Ferriss?

[@joshkempen8466]

Did pages every day for over 3 years! I'd mark the top of a page if I thought I wrote something that could be a song or actionable idea. I'm not sure if you were like me in that you always had an affinity for a notebook but never really knew how to fill it. I felt like the beauty of the book was undermined by my shitty half finished lyrics and 3 sentence journal entries. By doing pages I discovered that I actually just love the physical act of writing, the anticipation of that empty page when you start, and then the satisfaction of filling it. The knowledge that what you write doesn't need to have value makes the whole experience valuable. Strangely when my life started to feel a lot better I organically slowed down the morning pages. But I still write to fill pages now and then and love it equally. You're probably all over it but there are some great writing prompts online that are fun to get ideas flowing. P.S Lamy Fountain Pens + Molskine is my combo !

[@424Recording]

That's a great idea, to mark pages with ideas as you go. For some reason, I haven't thought to do this but I'm also trying to keep this separate from other creative activities. Yup! That sounds like a lot of my old notebooks! I'm finding the same thing with the slowing of the pages as I do it more. It's a great way to start the day and I like having it as a catharsis and no-stakes activity; between the channel and other creative projects, it's nice to have something that is just for me and for the act of doing it. Great stuff, Josh. Thanks for the tips!

[@daveblade56]

I'm noticed in a few videos you have that nice looking mech keyboard, what is the brand/ model?

[@424Recording]

Vortex VTG-8200. Check eBay. You can find some good deals on them!

[@Psztyk236]

Big YES for podcasts!

[@424Recording]

Thanks, wiencheck. I think we're going to do some random one off episodes here and there coming up so make sure you're subbed to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

[@michatroschka]

very deep

[@424Recording]

Ha! Thanks

[@stefanpaul4181]

I became a fan of Parker pens when I started working as a journalist forever ago.... they never run out of ink (maybe takes a year if your write most of the day every day) and write fast and smooth... problem is I keep losing them. Also, writing down petty complaints on paper helps get those little negative thoughts out of my head (brain dump-style) so I can focus on the positive stuff and not complain about little stupid things that aren't worthwhile of my time.

[@424Recording]

Man, I used to love Parker pens! I used to have one way back in the day for school. I don't ever remember it running out of ink either! re: brain dump: Yeah, I think that's one of the best uses for MP for me. Just getting all that garbage out of my head and organizing my thoughts for the day. See what's on my mind and go from there

[@Psztyk236]

Do you sometimes come back and read what you’ve written during the MPs or just write and be done with it?

[@424Recording]

I don't circle back around to much of it unless I'm consciously using the MP time to work on something. I try to make MP creative time that doesn't have any stakes and also use it as more of a barometer for the day and what needs to be done (if I'm feeling all over the place). But I also have been going back to see how I was feeling a year ago and I find it kind of strange how similar my thoughts and moods are at certain times of the year, almost down to the day. It's kind of strange and freeing, observing this cycle of thoughts and emotions; strange that there are cycles, but also freeing knowing that they pass. I have no idea why this happens though

[@Mark_Williams300]

Nice to see you using a mic stand

[@424Recording]

Haha, thanks, Mark! I want to get one of those ones that clamps to the desk next... they're like a swivel/accordion arm...

[@Mark_Williams300]

@@424Recording Careful. It starts with a swivel/accordion arm, then next thing you find yourself looking longly at SM-7Bs or RE20s. And before you know it you're Joe Rogan.

[@424Recording]

Haha they just seems so convenient!