In reading through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, one of the assignments is to engage in something fun once a week as an artist date. If you haven’t read the book yet, I review it here.
What is an Artist Date?
According to Cameron, an artist date is an opportunity to explore something that interests you. An Artist Date is meant to spark imagination, play, and fill your creative well, as it were. This is not a time to create, but to find adventure in things you normally wouldn’t spend time on. Pamper yourself. Nurture yourself. But above all, remember this is a sacred and solo time.
“Your artist is a child. Time with a parent matters more than monies spent. A visit to a great junk store, a solo trip to the beach, an old movie seen alone together, a visit to an aquarium or an art gallery – these cost time, not money. Remember, it is the time commitment that is sacred.”
Julia Cameron
Why take your artist on a date?
The idea is that to recover your inner artist, you must learn to nurture your artist who can be thought of as an inner child. As a child, the language of fun speaks loud and clear — You are valued. As Cameron states, “The Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play.”
The trouble for me is that it’s been so long since I allowed myself fun that I struggled with ideas for artist dates. I didn’t know what I would consider fun or what might constitute a date worthy of letting my inner artist know I value her.
15 Ideas
Here are 15 ideas I came up with in a quick brainstorming session. Perhaps some of these suggestions will resonate with you as well.
- a couple hours at my local coffee shop enjoying a coffee and treat while I listen and observe my surroundings
- a trip to Michaels or Hobby Lobby to get inspired
- a facial – even 30 minutes!
- a massage
- setting aside time to color or paint just for fun
- scrapbooking
- reading a magazine or two
- making jewelry
- photography
- review a local restaurant for Google Local Guides
- a trip to Barnes & Noble – bonus: peruse magazines you’d never buy but love to look through
- go to a movie — solo
- listen to music
- dress up for no reason
- sign up for a wine & painting night
What are some ideas you have for a solo adventure?
