Cleaning Out the Pipes: Why I Start My Week with Pen and Paper
Monday Tuesday mornings can feel like stepping onto a moving treadmill. The week ahead is already rushing at you. Emails are piling up. Your to-do list is growing by the second. Before addressing any of that, I grab my pen and my journal. Journaling for clarity helps me process thoughts, and prioritize them.
Why? Because I like to start the work week by cleaning out the pipes.
No, not literally. (Though, yes, coffee is involved.) I mean clearing out the mental clutter that builds up over the weekend — those random thoughts, leftover worries, new ideas, and sometimes just the nonsense buzzing in the background. Putting it on paper unclogs the system and makes space for what actually matters this week.
When I write, I don’t censor myself. I don’t worry about spelling or punctuation or whether it makes sense to anyone else. I just let it flow. Sometimes it’s profound. Sometimes it’s grocery lists. Sometimes it’s me rambling about how I’m already tired and it’s only Monday. But the magic happens in the act of writing itself. Once it’s out, my brain feels lighter, sharper, and ready to focus.
That’s why I designed journals and planners like The Starring Me! Journal. They’re not just blank pages — they’re tools for exactly this kind of reset. You may need space to spill the random thoughts out of your head. Alternatively, you might need a structured plan to get your writing goals on track. In either case, these pages are your co-stars.
So before you dive headfirst into the week, try it: take 10 minutes, open your journal, and write. Get it all out — the messy, the funny, the cranky, the hopeful. Think of it as a pressure release valve for your brain.
By the time you put down your pen, you’ll be amazed at how much more room you have. You will have room to breathe, think, and create. Clean pipes, clear head, strong start.
✨ Your turn: How do you clear your mental clutter at the start of the week? Drop it in the comments — or better yet, grab your favorite pen and journal and see what comes out.
