How to (re)discover your creativity
Have you ever wanted to do something creative? Or maybe you have done something creative before and now the thought of it keeps haunting you?
You may have given up on your creativity some time ago and maybe you found something that you’re so good at now and yet, you don’t feel happy. You don’t feel fulfilled or joyful.
If you’re ready to discover or rediscover your creativity, then The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is your go-to resource.
The Artist’s Way is a book based on Julia Cameron’s course that she used to teach. You get to read a chapter per week and do some tasks, take yourself to an artist date and write morning pages every day. During these 12 weeks, you most likely discover something that was hidden before within you and shine the light on your inner desires for creativity.
It is guaranteed that you’ll have plenty of aha moments during the course. And maybe you even end up at a different destination than you thought this journey would lead you to.
This happened to me during my take on The Artist’s Way. I thought that I was to uncover my creativity through painting that I started a few months prior to reading the book. What I found out was that I was no longer blocked in this area and have been painting every week but the whole point of my journey was to realise that it wasn’t about my painting but my writing.
It was the biggest AHA for me. It was to discover what was stopping me and understand that it’s about the process and everything else is a by-product of practising what I choose to do. It’s about understanding that by no mean should you compare your beginner’s work to a master’s work and get discouraged.
It’s understanding that only by encouraging and nurturing your inner artist you’ll achieve the results you desire. Criticism, guilt or shame will not be of help.
Practical steps that you take during 12 weeks
Morning pages.
During your inner artist recovery journey, you’ll be writing morning pages. You’d write (ideally by hand) three A4 pages. If you decide to type, it is 750 words. Morning pages are not journaling but they can have elements of journaling. You write whatever comes to mind. If nothing much comes to mind, you’d write “I have nothing to write about today.” over and over until you finish three pages. You’ll be surprised that you do have things to write about.
What it helps you understand is that you can be creative on demand. You don’t have to wait until the inspiration strikes you. You’ll discover a lot of other things about yourself, what you like and don’t like, what bothers you and what you truly really want to be doing.
Artist date.
This is a fun one. So much fun that you may not even want to do this because it seems too superficial, too good to be true, time that you’d think you could spend on something else. During these dates, you learn how to be a child again, how to spend time doing things you enjoy. Doing things that don’t bring your money. I found those the most difficult. Two hours spent making a puzzle?! Do I have that sort of time? Turned out sometimes I did and sometimes I didn’t. The artist date can be anything that you find interesting but often don’t allow yourself to do, finding excuses of how busy you are doing other things. Usually for other people
You can go to a $2 shop and buy art supplies. You can create a collage, collect leaves and paint them white or any colour you wish. You can bake cookies or play the piano. You can do anything that you or your inner artist child think is fun.
The possibilities are endless and that’s the scariest part. Allowing yourself to do things that feel joyful. Allowing to do things just because you like doing them. I found it difficult to keep up with the artist dates.
Weekly tasks. There are quite a few tasks you can attempt each week. As the author tells herself, aim for about half and then know that you can come back to the rest of the tasks later. Some tasks you’ll be willing to do, others — not so much.
Through doing the tasks you discover what you truly want to be doing, what brings you joy and what are your hobbies. Yes, hobbies. Remember those? Something that you do for pleasure, without a need to make it your side hustle. You can paint because you like it. You don’t have to sell your paintings. You can bake bread because you enjoy the process, not because you’re to open a bakery. You can sew clothes because you love the sound of the scissors cutting the fabric, sewing pieces together and then see the final result that you (or your kids) can wear. You don’t have to become a fashion designer or sell your clothes.
You can do things just because you enjoy them. And it’s crucial to create time for things that you enjoy. Yes, you create time for things that you love doing and experiencing.
It’s about progress, not perfection
I bought a book The Artist’s Way almost five years prior I finally committed to the 12 weeks. Turned out it was a lot simpler than I thought and at times it was difficult. There were days when I wrote my morning pages in the evening. I forgot to write them one day during the first week and I had to skip two other days when I was sick. I probably could have done them laying in bed but I thought I won’t do it.
What happens at the end of twelve weeks? You’ll be encouraged to continue your journey. Continue writing your morning pages and your artist's dates. Who knows what else you’ll discover.
You can choose to follow your callings and inner guidance or you can continue doing what you’re doing, feel lost, overwhelmed and frustrated. We often feel frustrated not because we can’t get done what we planned but because we’re not doing what we truly want.
We often feel frustrated not because we can’t get done what we planned but because we’re not doing what we truly want.