📝 1,001 Days of Clarity: The Power of 750 Words & Morning Pages

Today marks a significant milestone in my personal journey. I’ve reached 1,001 days of consistent goal-setting and, coincidentally, just hit a 1,000-word writing session on the very same day.

Looking back, this journey took on a new meaning in May 2023. After my mom passed away, life felt like a blur. That first week was a mess, but I found my footing by returning to a practice that has since become my "mental north star": 750 Words.

The Digital "Morning Pages"

If you’ve ever read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, you’re familiar with "Morning Pages"—three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. Buster Benson created the site 750words.com as a digital sanctuary for this practice. It’s exactly what it sounds like: you write until you hit the 750-word mark (the digital equivalent of three pages).

The "Clear Eyes" Effect

When you’re grieving, your mind is often crowded with what I call "muddy thoughts." They are heavy, circular, and exhausting.

• Witnessing the Grief: Writing these pages allowed me to witness my grief rather than be consumed by it. By "offloading" those maddening thoughts onto the screen, I could literally see them for what they were—emotions to be processed, not obstacles to be feared.

• The Cognitive Reset: Scientific research shows that expressive writing frees up "working memory." By clearing out the mental trash, you make room for the logic and planning you actually value.

Goals as a Compass

I’ve always been a fan of the 101 Goals in 1001 Days challenge. For me, my journal is a scrapbook and a roadmap rolled into one. Even on the hardest days after Mom passed, having goals to work toward gave me a sense of agency.

• Growth is a Choice: Grief can make you feel stuck in the past. Setting and tracking goals—whether it’s paying off my duplex, managing my "Technically Easier" business, or civic duties on the Hiawatha City Council—ensures I am always growing toward the future.

• The Unbroken Chain: Doing this every single day creates a "fortress" of routine. It’s the ultimate expression of John T. Reed’s philosophy: mitigate the downside risk of your own emotions by building a system that works even when you don't feel like it.

My Recommendation

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or are navigating a loss of your own, I cannot recommend 750words.com enough. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or "good" writing. Just get the words out.

Clear the fog. Set your goals. Keep moving forward.