I like to see pursuing your creative passion similar to being in a relationship.
Of course, there will be highs and lows, good times and bad.
And just like any relationship, we have to make the choice each and every day to give it our 100% in order for it to thrive.
Then it makes sense to keep that excitement and passion alive in our creative practice, why not take yourself out on an artist date?
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But what if I didn’t consider myself an “artist”?
(As amazing as it sounds) being an artist doesn’t always look like spending your days painting away creating amazing pieces of artwork.
In fact, Sir Ken Robinson believes that all humans are inherently creative and as we get older we start to lose it ( due to school, work, stresses of life, time management.)
It’s up to us to tap back into our childlike creativity because even if you don’t consider yourself an “artist”, creativity is a part of every aspect of home, relationships, and at work life.
What exactly is an artist’s date?
” Think of it this way: With Morning Pages, you are “sending.” With Artist Dates you have flipped the dial over to “receive.” It is as though you are constructing a spiritual radio kit. You need both tools for it to work properly.”
A Practitioner, Juila Cameron
Coined by Julia Cameron’s best selling book “The Artist’s Way- A Spiritual Path for High Creativity”, she describes the practice as, “a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you.”
It doesn’t have to be “artistic” or even fancy!
In fact, my favorite artist date is exploring the trail behind my house, and sometimes just turning up my music and going rollerblading across the city.
1. Utilizing Whole Brain Approach
“Creativity is a mental process utilizing all of the brain’s specialized capabilities. It is, therefore, “whole brained.”-
Ned Herrmann, Educator, Consultant
You’ve most likely heard the popular belief that people are divided into either right or left brain thinkers.
But it isn’t as black as white as that, in fact this popular notion was debunked in 2013 research done by University of Utah neuroscientists, and many others since then.
Taking yourself out on an artist date helps exercise both sides of the brain, helping us to achieve the “whole brain” approach vs. getting stuck in one or the other.
For example, a creative idea that suddenly comes into mind to you at 2:00am, that’s your right hemisphere talking.
But to actually do something about this amazing idea involves a whole lot of different mental processes, which takes place in the left hemisphere.
2. Opens door to creative exploration
No more compromising on what to do, what restaurant to eat at, or trying to coordinate conflicting schedules.
When you take yourself out on an artist date, the creative license is completely in your hands.
And in doing so you are gifting yourself to opportunities to explore new things without the influence of others
3. Secret potion for feeling empowered
It feels empowering to realize your ability to soothe, comfort, and enjoy your time outside of being connected to another person. Alone time fosters independence and allows you to be more in touch with yourself, which then allows you to feel more grounded in all areas of life.
Stephanie Macadaan, LMFT
Have much time do you truly spend much time doing things alone?
I mean we are social creatures after all. Research also tells us that having a supportive community is important for our wellbeing.
But it is an empowering feeling when you go to that event, restaurant alone without a care in the world.