Where oh where has my creativity gone?
I have had moments where I sit down to write a blog and my brain says “I’ve got nothin’.” The muses had gone on vacation and I couldn’t access my inspiration. It was frustrating.
Creativity is within all of us, it’s not just for artists. In corporate life, innovation is key to stay current. When we have a change of plans, we figure out another plan. This part of our brain is engaged more than we might think.
Several years ago, I read a book called “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. She is a writer and started a system for other artists’ to find their creativity again. It’s a great system to open up your gifts and talents, whether it be discovering new ones or pulling an old one off the shelf.
One of her foundations for creativity is to take yourself on an “Artist’s Date”. It’s pretty simple.
Once a week, take yourself on an inspirational date. No co-pilots. There are no distractions so you can immerse yourself into what you’re experiencing. No one is rushing you, telling you they want to do do something else. Doing dates with others is fun and encouraged but not for your Artist’s Date. That’s all you.
What can you do on an Artist’s Date?
There are the easy things that come to mind - going to a museum to explore, check out a gallery, vibe to a music performance. But what about walking through an art supply store? Sit in a park and people watch, taking note of what strikes you - colors, posture, etc. Some other things I’ve done is go to a movie or watch it on streaming service, take my camera out and challenge myself with a theme (I.e. look for all things red and photograph it). , watch a video on a creative technique you want to learn or get better at. The point is to take some time for you doing something that is creative and enjoyable.
When I first started doing this, I had a moment that I paused - could I experience something on my own?
What will people think if I am by myself?
Then I thought, well, let’s try it and see what happens.
Here’s what I learned - no one cared I was by myself. No one was gawking and pointing. All of them were going about their business like I was. This gave me the freedom to enjoy things on my own and experience the way *I* wanted to and needed to. Try it out! There is such freedom in honoring your goals and your mission to become more creative.
Remember - the Artist’s Date has three requirements.
It happens once a week
You do it solo
It has to be something that is creative and you enjoy.
Let me know what you did and how it inspired you.