It isn't unusual for anyone to (re)start an exercise routine at the top of the year. If I said I'd worked out for four weeks straight since January, I doubt I'd impress anyone much. You might feel differently if I said I'd managed to do it without internal debate? As the saying goes “Just Do It” and that's pretty much like a soundbite from my pre-workout mental chatter. There is no “Just Do Zip” option B.
I've also cultivated consistency in other habits; getting out of bed when the alarm goes off, reading the multitude of books I own and writing. But best of all, writing - the one thing I find so hard to sit down and just do - and can now barely turn off a cadence of ideas.
And all thanks to Julia Cameron, an author who writes (amongst other things) about the creative process. That is far from the sum total of Julia’s accolades but its what I want to share with you because this no ordinary creative journey, in fact, its quite unlike any I’ve read about (and I have read about this topic A LOT).
I’m about two-thirds through the Artists Way - started at the end of last year - and which, it isn’t an exaggeration to say has transformed my life. Truly, transformed it.
I’ve been trying to write a book for about a year now. Lots of the usual (self-imposed) challenges have prevented me making much progress and I wanted this year to be the one in which I wrote the book. To quote a phrase I discovered recently “done is better than good” and that is exactly where I wanted my first draft to be. Done, imperfect, but complete and tangible, a living thing on paper from which I can slice, dice and perfect.
But, if I’m honest, done is something of a challenge for my procrasterfectionist self.
Full disclosure, my first draft isn’t done but I do have an abundance of perspective, ideas and clarity about where it’s headed.
But back to Julia’s book. It’s centred around two activities (not the kind that requires lycra you’ll be pleased to hear); the Morning Pages and Artist’s Date.
The Morning Pages is a 3 page brain dump. You could liken it to journalling, I guess, but the focus is to get down on paper what’s top of mind, as soon after you wake up as possible. Your notes might be structured (like a journal) or random, staccato white noise, it really doesn’t matter. The idea is to be as completely honest and open and own your feelings; good, bad or ugly. No one else will read the Morning Pages, they are just for you. As a side note, you’d be surprised how hard it is to write what you really feel. Those uncomfortable truths that we never say out loud, we also never say to ourselves. We might sometimes feel “it”, but articulating it to form a sentence is a next level challenge. But also, what makes this such a transformative journey.
The Artist’s Date is about “you time” enjoying an activity solo which ignites your creativity. This can be almost anything, just once a week for an hour. This morning, my date was with
who did an intimate, illuminating and funny talk at Waterstones, Piccadilly, ahead of the launch of her new book, Mad Woman. Since people can be as inspiring as art, the possibilities for your Artist’s Date are limitless (although, in the spirit of honesty, I have been pretty crap about keeping them).The Artists Way takes you on a 12-week journey at the start of which Julia asks whether you tell yourself “its too late, dreams don’t matter, creativity is a luxury, be grateful for what you have”.
Does this sound like you? If so, don’t wait for the perfect moment, because, there isn’t one.