I'm writing today's post from my weekly "Artist's Date" – a dedicated hour to nurture my creativity, inspired by Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way.
Each week, my Artist Dates have been a unique adventure, driven by whatever curiosity or whim strikes me. Past excursions have included:
Finding a purse with as many pockets as possible to help me get more organized
Buying rainbow scratch paper and tracing some views of New York City
Browsing unusual lighting fixtures in a luxury home lighting store
I completed The Artist's Way several years ago with remarkable success. The daily "Morning Pages" (stream-of-consciousness writing) and weekly Artist Dates helped me illuminate and remove some serious roadblocks I had put in front of myself. Gradually, I laid the groundwork for a full-length show as well as my own company!
There seemed to be something so magical about the process. Going through it a second time, though, it feels like the veil has been lifted:
Self-care is essential for doing our best work. Sometimes, the “magic” we need is simply giving ourselves permission to practice it.
Do you want to see what I mean? Let's try something right now.
Take a look at the following acts of self-care and find SOMETHING that you'll do by the end of this week.
Do it. I dare you!
(In the spirit of Julia Cameron's work, pay attention to what you don't want to do on this list and consider if you'd benefit from doing that! Or, if you suffer from decision fatigue, pick the number that aligns with the last digit in your phone number.)
Go on a Nature Adventure: Take a stroll outside and pay attention to your surroundings. What does the temperature of the air feel like? How does the ground feel beneath you? Consider collecting some leaves, rocks, or other items.
Take an Art Break: Gather some paper and whatever art supplies you have (a pen or pencil will work just fine). Trace your hand on a piece of paper and turn it into a tree. It's meant to be imperfect, so just have fun!
Phone a Friend: Take a moment to call someone you haven't spoken to in a while. (If you feel too busy, put yourself on speakerphone while you take care of household tasks.)
Enjoy a Mindful Meal: Set a timer for 20 minutes and make sure you take at least that long to eat your meal. Remove distractions and really pay attention to how your food tastes, feels, and smells.
Visualize Your "Happy Place": Imagine being somewhere that makes you feel profoundly safe. Maybe it's a childhood home or being with a loved one. Notice what changes you experience in your body.
Declutter a Small Space: Whether it's a junk drawer or your purse, take time to create a more organized and serene environment for yourself.
Write a Thank You Note: Think about someone you're grateful for and write a note to tell them what you appreciate about them. This "note" could be an email, letter, or even a Google review.
Go Somewhere New: Take a moment to look up a map of your area. Is there anywhere you haven't explored yet? If so, take yourself on a date.
Disconnect from Technology: Feeling overwhelmed by social media? Take a break! Let your friends and family know you'll be doing a social media fast (I recommend doing at least a full weekend) and see how you feel.
Write Down Your Feelings: Take a few minutes to write down how you feel. It's a quick practice that can calm the amygdala (the "alarm center" of the brain), helping you practice even better discernment.
Remember: Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential for showing up as your best self. When you complete this week's challenge, let me know how it goes in the comments below!
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