Summary

An artist grapples with creative block and sadness, finding solace and reconnection through the practice of writing morning pages and scheduling artist dates, as suggested by Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way."

Abstract

The website content delves into the personal journey of an artist facing a disconnection from their creative passions due to overwhelming sadness. Initially resistant to the idea of writing as a means to rekindle creativity, the artist eventually embraces the practice of writing morning pages and embarking on weekly artist dates, as outlined in Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way." Through this process, the artist experiences a profound transformation, allowing for self-discovery, healing, and a rejuvenated sense of artistic purpose. The narrative emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, unstructured play, and the necessity of being honest with oneself to nurture the soul and replenish the well of creativity.

Opinions

The artist initially feels anger and resistance towards writing, preferring to engage directly with their art form.
There is a recognition that art, once a sustaining force, has become a struggle due to life's disruptions.
The act of writing morning pages is seen as a therapeutic practice, provoking, clarifying, comforting, and prioritizing the day.
Artist dates are valued as a way to fire up imagination, encourage play, and replenish the inner well of creativity.
The artist acknowledges the importance of being kind to oneself and allowing for imperfection in the creative process.
The concept of "mourning pages" is introduced as a means to grieve the loss of self that can occur when giving too much to others.
Honesty in writing is believed to bring healing and self-awareness, shining a light on hidden aspects of the self.
The artist comes to understand that creativity can take many forms and that it is never too late to explore and nurture one's creative energies.
The transformation from a state of creative block to one of liberation and soul growth is recognized as a difficult but essential process.
The artist expresses gratitude for the guidance received and acknowledges the importance of listening to one's inner wisdom for direction and answers.

WRITING | CREATIVITY | POEMS AND STORIES

Time to Play, Hidden Secrets, Death and Dessert

When sadness disconnects us from our daily passions in life

Morning words flow into playtime indulgence, flowers, and dessert. Time reserved to play, do as I please. Hoping to recover my creativity and refill my sad well of being.

Creativity, my springboard for exploring who I am, cannot breathe.

Art, a lifelong cornerstone, crumbles, cannot console. Where art once sustained every season of life, my anchor no longer secures; sinks my peace.

Living a creative life struggles to cope.

Why has my art disconnected from me?

B-r-e-a-t-h-e. What do you feel?

Confused, demoralized, stuck in fight or flight. I’m so A-N-G-R-Y!! Haven’t you taken enough from me?

Write.

Write? I am so done with this! I do NOT want to write—I want to DO my art.

And here we are.

F#*K—!!!

disconnect

from e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g to know if it feeds your soul or if it’s a distraction.

What is deeply connected will always remain.

—Maryam Hasnaa

Hollie Petit, Ph.D., searches for a book she believes is what I need. Divine timing prompts me to do the same.

The universe delights in masterful Show and Tell. From her bookshelf, Hollie pulls Julia Cameron’s masterpiece—the same book I hold in my hands.

Synchronous signs pique my curiosity.

This book, a gift I dismissed and tossed into a box, lay dormant for years. Now am I ready to commit to The Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity?

Write three pages e-v-e-r-y morning and schedule a weekly artist date. Who had time for this?

And now? I make time because I am not okay.

commitment

Anyone who faithfully writes morning pages connects with a source of wisdom within. —Julia Cameron

These words resonate, I am paying attention.

To reconnect, the answer is obvious:

I commit

to writing morning pages for unloading, dumping, purging, clearing and artist dates with me, myself and I to refill my well of being.

mood

We have this idea we need to be in the mood to write. We don’t. Your mood doesn’t matter. — Julia Cameron

I unload—anything and everything, uncensored, fill three pages’ worth. Get it all out, the gunk, ticker-taper thoughts, and mental clutter.

The following morning I do it again, and the day after that—honour the small daily promise I made to myself.

∵ Writing removes my blocks.

espresso

Coffeeology: Espresso yourself. Take life one cup at a time. Stay grounded. Better latte than never. Take time to smell the coffee. — Anonymous

Newspaper in hand, my husband relaxes into the quiet morning and savours a demitasse of freshly brewed espresso with a kiss of foamy crema.

He blows me a kiss and, on cue, knows to let me be. Morning Pages, as Cameron emphasizes, are for my eyes only, “a private place to vent, think and dream.”

All I have to do is write — not a masterpiece, just morning pages.

Raw words flow. I wring my heart out.

Writing morning pages, as Cameron notes, will “provoke clarify comfort cajole prioritize and synchronize the day at hand.”

artist dates

fire up the imagination spark whimsy and encourage play feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well. —Julia Cameron

indulge

An hour dedicated to still-life compositions flows into hours of creative play. The dining room table is beautiful chaos, a mélange of linens, teacups, glasses, flowers, and pastries on plates.

My sweet tooth eyes the Bolo de Arroz, a Portuguese mini cake. Time for a break—savour the buttery, cornbread-like texture, sugary crust, and hint of lemon scent.

∵ Unstructured play and simple pleasures replenish my joy.

light

Rein in your inner critic. R-e-l-e-a-s-e control.

Reframing my expectations allows me to flow, be open and curious. If the shot does not work, I find another perspective. The photo need not be perfect, and neither do I.

Look, the pastry shell breaks away from its soft filling — imperfect allows the light in.

My creativity needs love — not judgement.

When we are hard on ourselves, we erect a tough, protective outer shell. Hardness hides our inner softness from the world and prevents our light from shining through.

∵ A date with my inner artist reminds me to be kind to myself.

between our layers

The French word millefeuille, pronounced meel-foy, means one thousand layers, sheets or leaves in English.

Impossible to reach the strawberry heart centre, and creamy goodness without being messy.

As I empty myself out, layer upon layer, morning sheets transition into mourning pages.

Some days, this is how I feel. Mourning the loss of self when I give away too much.

Many of us find we squandered our own creative energies by investing disproportionately in the lives, hopes, dreams, and plans of others. — Julia Cameron

∵ Writing reminds me to offer myself grace.

honesty brings healing

What hidden secrets lie between the shadow layers of self?

Every morning, the written page is where I meet lost parts of myself.

The daily act of spilling onto a page and being honest shines a light on healing.

∵ Writing asks me to be honest with myself.

I think

it is important to keep creativity around me and in me. When I am doing something creative, I don’t feel trapped, I feel liberated.

Everyone is creative.

It is never too late to explore and nurture your creativity. —Julia Cameron

Final Words

And here you are.

Here I am—soul growth hurts.

I died the day I became a Reiki Master. You asked the impossible: switch my art brush for a pen. What I have known all my life — put it aside. Write. I hated you.

It is so hard to let go.

here I am

mindful know to ask: does it feed or distract keep me on my soul path? when something is taken away from me it serves no longer old hinders is always replaced by new it’s okay to take my time grieve for as long as I need

look for new experiences open to present-day opportunities remain sensitive, balanced explore and expand

above all, listen to you, my highest self gut, intuition inner wisdom will assist to aspire, achieve this is where I find all my answers.

A Note of Thanks

Thank you, Trista Signe Ainsworth, Ellie and Sharing Randomly of Thank You Notes.