Julia Cameron’s groundbreaking book The Artist’s Way utilizes two primary tools, the Artist Date and Morning Pages. The Artist Date is a weekly excursion or play date with yourself. It is an hour or longer block of time and it’s all about spending quality time with yourself. It is a listening tool, time spent on yourself and with yourself doing something fun, festive, adventuresome. It is preplanned and does not need to be expensive or elaborate. You don’t take anyone on your Artist Date but you and your inner artist. Julia Cameron says, “You are not after the thoughts and companionship of others. You are after the thoughts and companionship of your soul.” Some of my favorite Artist Dates have been spent browsing through antique stores, visiting a favorite art gallery or museum, going on a nature hike, visiting the Como Park Conservatory in the dead of winter, taking a solo day trip to a small town. The Artist Date is a time to engage all of the senses, replenish your creative resources, fill the well with new images, perspectives and experiences. The Artist Date is about nurturing and caring for your inner artist. The concept of a weekly Artist Date with yourself may be hard to grasp since so many people are plugged in 24/7 to one or more devices. And this is exactly why the Artist Date is so important. By scheduling a weekly date with yourself, you will get to know who you are, what you need, what makes your heart sing and what you are passionate about. Take yourself on an Artist Date this week, you’ll be glad you did:)
What is an Artist Date?