Revisiting the Artist’s Date
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way is a popular book/12-week program designed to help people recover their creativity. So popular in fact, in creative circles you’ll just hear reference to her exercises as part of someone’s normal routine. #guilty
I originally worked through Cameron’s “Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” in the winter of 2022-23. I know because after the first chapter you sign a little commitment box like a D.A.R.E. sobriety vow. At the end of the book you sign another “Creativity Contract” with yourself as you graduate into post-creative-recovery and into creative-health.
Cringe? Yes, but putting a commitment in writing does give it more weight.
Cringe aside, the book is remarkable. It’s both actionable and introspective. It acknowledges so many Christian truths while remaining a secular resource.
I picked it back up recently, thinking I might go through it again. But in reading, it felt too familiar & I’m not in a place of creative recovery.
From a place of health and playfulness I was excited thinking about her two core practices: Morning Pages (stream-of-consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning) & Artist Dates (solo creative experiences).
Journaling is regular practice for me — never quite first thing though. It never fails to amazing me what comes out when you put pen-to-paper without expectation or judgement. It’s a space to notice, remember, and process.
The “Artist Date” is one I’ve let seriously slide. It was much easier to remember to do when I lived alone!
“Spending time in solitude with your artist child is essential to self-nurturing. A long country walk, a solitary expedition to the beach for a sunrise or sunset, a sortie out to a strange church to hear gospel music, to an ethnic neighborhood to taste foreign sights and sounds — your artist might enjoy any of these. Or your artist might like bowling.” - Julie Cameron, The Artist’s Way
While I recommend both tools to you, the artist date is perhaps the most fun & the hardest to implement. Some of you may do these already without realizing it!
For me the most important aspects of a successful Artist Date are solitude, play, and edification. Since it is about nourishing my creativity, for me, the date needs to be a fully alone endeavor. Book club, paint night, or sharing writing with someone else are all great, but they are just not a real “date” with yourself.
The date also has to include some spontaneity. I cannot overly plan what I’ll do and how long it will take and what the result will be. There has to be an option for exploration without judgement of success.
Lastly, it has to build me up; I’m generally prone to wallowing. I think I can explore negative or heavy emotions in this time, but it’s not a time to spiral.
Interested in trying your own Artist Date? Here are some examples of what I’ve done…
Poetry reading — pick out a collection of poetry and read poems aloud to yourself. Play with the rhythm, explore the way the sounds of the phrasing makes you feel. Get lost in the story and emotion of the pieces.
Borrow an album — listen to an album all the way through. Just listening. Let yourself move in response to the music, note how the songs work together. Try not to judge the piece without fully experiencing it first.
Touch grass — do a little yard work project or pot some indoor plans. Or buy some flowers and arrange them to brighten up your living space.
Movie Date — I generally wouldn’t recommend anything screen-related with an artist date, but I think seeing a new movie by yourself is a really special experience. Fresh popcorn is a must. If a movie feels too low brow, check out a play or opera. ;)
Out About Town — like the movies, shopping is also a tricky one. Go to places where you are most likely to find the “unexpected”: thrifting, estate sales, local markets. Pick up something that sparks joy and consider why. Take a lot of pictures of things that catch your interest.
Exhibitions! — This is anything “on display”… aquarium, gardens, museums, etc. Explore at your own pace and don’t forget to people watch.
Act of Service — a fun creative project can be writing a letter or sending a care package. Build something beautiful that will bless someone else.
DANCE — really! This one is my favorite. Put on music that let’s you let go! Make sure no one is watching (including a mirror) and get moving.
Elevated Rituals — Put extra care into preparing your tea or coffee. Sit with yourself and enjoy your pickmeup without any agenda. Take time to notice your drink, pair it with a treat, and slow down long enough to really notice it.
Write a List — I LOVE lists. Think through what you have to look forward to! Assign yourself some reading, future artist dates, plan little trips and projects. Let yourself dream a bit.
Try a new recipe — Take some time to cook without anything to distract you. Notice the ingredients, the textures, the colors. Take time to eat it without distraction too.
Have your own suggestion? I’ve love to hear it.
You may think this list is exceptionally ordinary. It is! The Artist Date is so much less about what you’re doing, but how you make quality time with your inner creative self.
I’ll leave you with this note from Cameron, “A little fun can go a long way toward making your work feel more like play. We forget that the imagination-at-play is at the heart of all good work.”
May we all have a little more fun!
