āCreativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.āĀ
- Julia Cameron, The Artistās Way
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Some years ago, reading Julia Cameronās most popular book - The Artistās Way - sparked the need to reconnect with my creative self. Whatās more, it provided me with two basic tools to help bring back creativity to the core of my life.Ā
These tools are simple, systematic habits that lay out the framework for creativity to happen. Everybody can benefit from these practices - not exclusively artists or designers.
These are basic tools for life.
Morning Pages are āthree pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousnessā written in the morning before the busy day starts. They are a sort of meditation in which we let ourselves expand, recovering āa strong and clear sense of selfā, as Cameron puts it.
For me, the key here is habit building and consistency. āLet inspiration find you workingā, Picasso said. I started journaling long before I read this book and it has been one of the best long-term positive habits I have brought into my life. Morning pages have provided me with clear thinking, self-awareness, and vision.
Artistās Dates āis a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist (ā¦), your creative childā. Cameron suggests taking them alone, to have quality time in solitude with oneself.Ā
Artistsā Dates are a great tool for learning and filling our āinner wellā. For expanding our inner library and source of inspiration. They are a great tool for discovery, exploration, and reconnecting with the world.
When I started my creative recovery some years ago, I use to take myself to life drawing sessions as Artistās Dates. I am extremely fortunate to live in London, where most of the museums and galleries are free. Walking the city was - and still is - one of my favourite Artistsā Dates.Ā
Try these two basic tools and donāt be too strict about how frequently to use them. Adapt and re-design them to your needs.
For example, I never stick to the 3 pages in the morning - I just write whatever comes in that day (sometimes 1 page, sometimes 6 pages). Or take Artistās Dates, I donāt plan to go out and explore alone weekly, I might do that maybe once a month. But I do read a lot - my reading time is my āArtistās (Home) Dateā, and I do that every day.
Do what works for you! Remember, the success of these two tools relies on forming a positive habit rather than on performing it according to someone elseās rules.
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Cheers and happy sketching! š«āļø
Ana
My current Artistās Date is my weekly watercolor class, but I feel it not enough, so I may take your advice about exploring the city once a month š