Date Your Inner Artist
Went on a date this weekend, now feeling inspired to create.
Have you ever been on an Artist Date?
The Artist Date idea is something I LOVE that came from the book, 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron--which btw is incredible and you should totally read it!
It's about making time for yourself, once a week, on your own, to do something 'enchanting'. To play, have fun or do something that nourishes you as an artist.
Years ago I took and assisted in several Artist's Way courses in LA, and ever since I've dedicated some of my weekend to getting in an Artist Date!
Go into nature, write lyrics, read that book you've been dying to get to, put on an album by your fav artist and listen all the way through with your eyes closed and no distractions, hit the road in any direction and find a new adventure, watch music videos on YouTube, knock something off your bucket list, hike to the top of the nearest mountain and look down at the world, get creative in the kitchen...the possibilities are endless!
Here I am at Blue Bottle cafe for the loveliest date with myself, my journal, Spotify and a few books...now I'm feeling creatively recharged for the week.
As Julia Cameron writes:
“Your artist needs to be taken out, pampered, and listened to. You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a. your creative child. That means no lovers, friends, spouses, children--no one!”
“You are likely to find yourself avoiding your artist dates. Recognize this as a fear of intimacy--self-intimacy. In order to have a relationship with our creativity, we must take the time and care to cultivate it. Our creativity will use this time to confront us, to confide in us, to bond with us, and to plan.”
If you want some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, plan an artist date for this weekend. What activities light you up? Here’s a few more suggestions:
Hit the road in any direction and find an adventure
Take a dance class
Go see live music
Hike to the top of the nearest mountain and look down at the world
Write song lyrics in nature, a cafe, the beach, or anywhere that’s exciting to you
Watch all of your fave artist's music videos in order on YouTube
Visit a museum
Go to a Farmer’s Market
Attend a play or musical
Read that book you've been dying to get to
Knock something off your bucket list
Go deep into nature
Put on an album by your fav artist, listen all the way through with your eyes closed, no distractions
Take a cooking class
Go to where there’s water: the beach, a lake, fountains