Hitting Send

The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.”

~Stephen Nachmanovitch~

On Saturday night I stayed home and therefore found myself actually taking the time to watch a movie. I had not done so in quite awhile, despite being a huge movie lover, and fortunately chose one with gorgeous cinematography, acting and directing. The next morning I awakened feeling artistically inspired. I was reminded of the need to set time aside specifically for nurturing my creative consciousness and inner artist. Ahh, yes! It is time to commit to going on Artist’s Dates with myself again.

If you’ve read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (and I Highly recommend it!), then you are fully aware of not only what an Artist’s Date is, but the challenge and rewards involved. The idea behind it is that by spending a specific set time (at least two hours per week) with ourselves in an excursion (play date), we inspire the artist (child) within and gain insight and guidance into our craft/art form. It works beautifully too! Have you ever been to a film, the beach, a museum, or something like that and filled yourself with inspiration for your work? Or gained insight into how a role should be played, or a piece of art should come together? This is of what I speak. It’s a conscious choice to set aside time just for you and your child to play and have fun. This “visual therapy” can take many forms, but in doing something beautiful just for yourself, you will rejuvenate, feel energized, and fill yourself up again so you can hear what is longing to be expressed. The trick for me is in actually doing it!

I know I am not alone in my inability to routinely take these Artist’s Dates. It’s really sad actually; not being able to take time for ourselves! How can that be? Julia cameron suggests that resistance is a fear of intimacy with ourselves, but that we must take the time to care and cultivate a real relationship with our creativity in order for it to confide in us and bond with us. Perhaps the fear in being still is that we won’t like what we’ll hear. The objection I’ve most commonly heard is “guilt”. We freely give of our time to loved ones, friends and family members (or at least I hope you are!) but have trouble taking just a couple of hours per week to give to ourselves. Others say they have trouble finding an activity in which to participate each week, so I am going to attempt to make a few suggestions, and ask for yours as well, dear reader. My hope is to inspire myself, and you, to foster a relationship with that inner child/artist self within us all.

Taking out, pampering and listening to our inner child does not need to be expensive. In fact, you may be met with resistance if you choose a culturally sophisticated activity. This is about self-nurturing, play time. Anything which feeds your soul is an Artist’s Date. I love being outdoors, because I feel “connected” and the closer I am to “source” the more inspired I become. Quiet time at the beach, hiking a mountain, or a stroll around a local park are all great “me” time activities. Are there historical homes, botanical gardens or a local greenhouse you’ve always meant to explore? Can’t get away from the house? Grab your camera and climb a ladder to get a new perspective on your current surroundings!

Exploring other’s creations can be a lot of fun too. Whether it be at a local museum (I am blessed to have The Getty nearby and *that* is an incredible gift! It offers stunning architecture, world renowned art, a gorgeous garden and sweeping views! It’s one of my favorite places in Los Angeles) or local galleries; exploring the works of another can help us envisage our own creations more clearly. Visit a local bookshop and pour through their art or landscaping books. Go to story or art time at your local library. Spend a few hours perusing an antique shop. Rent some children’s movies!

Since we are talking about fostering inner child behavior, I think it is important for some dates to look a lot like preschool activities. Get out a box of crayons, coloured pencils or finger paints. This is not only a great expression of play, but can help us get in touch with our inner creator as well. Since we create our own reality, what we draw/paint can be a direct reflection of what we could create in our lives. As long as it looks like arts and crafts time, you’re on the right track. My favourite story was of the woman who had a play date with a can of shaving cream! I also love the idea of building sand castles on the beach, a snowman or swinging on the swing at the local playground. Or perhaps you want to bake cookies!

Let’s commit to taking two hours per week, because keeping these dates with yourself feels really amazing and will make your inner child very happy. When the inner child/artist is happy, our work will come through more easily. Do not judge yourself or feel guilty for reconnecting with you. Follow your passion and that which has magick for you! Create without rules and see how your work becomes more inspired. “Imagination at play is at the heart of all good work,” says Ms. Cameron. By taking time to care for and cultivate our creativity, we will renew our resources! Take this journey with me and see what we can accomplish!