Embrace an 'Artist's Date' Today!

A creative approach to fresh ideas.

Hi there, and welcome back,

I hope you’ve been enjoying the warmth and long hours of daylight that May offers.

I’d like to build on that sense of warmth and light and the creative energy it generates. In my last piece, I hope I convinced you of the importance of allowing yourself time to play. Today I’d like to suggest how you might work time for play into what is no doubt a very busy schedule.

My suggestion is taken from a wonderful book by Julia Cameron. It’s called The Artist’s Way, and although it was originally intended to spark ideas in the students that Cameron was teaching in her art studio in New York, it’s now been adopted by many health professionals who are hoping to enhance their clients’ wellbeing. It’s known as ‘the artist’s date’.

Cameron proposes that you set aside one two-hour slot each week for your ‘date’. The actual time of day, or which day you choose doesn’t matter, and your ‘play’ slot can vary from week to week. Just find a time when you can be on your own for a bit.

In that time, Cameron asks that you do something that you’ve never done before, something fresh for you. It could be an activity at home if you can’t leave—trying out a new recipe, for example. Or it can be an outing to somewhere new. You could even decide to go somewhere you’ve been before, but find a new route to take you there. 

Whatever you do, notice the thoughts that go through your mind during that time, in particular what fresh ideas your chosen activity sparks in you.

Finally, if you feel at a loss when it comes to deciding what to do during this creative time, let me add one further suggestion. Think back to your last year at primary school, when you were about ten or 11 years old. Although it might surprise you to hear this, that is the time when we are most in touch with our own uniqueness, when we’re most likely to do things that express best our individuality. How did you choose to spend your time at weekends when you were that age? What activities did you do when you returned home from school? 

Hopefully, what you recall will bring up reminders of long-forgotten enthusiasms and interests. Why not rekindle some of them during your ‘artist’s date’? Not only will you enjoy this playful time, you may well rekindle the enthusiasm and energy you felt when you were enjoying those activities as a child.

OK, time to mark off your artist’s dates in your diary. Enjoy the creative energy it will no doubt awaken in you,

Until next time, my best wishes,

Linda