In the beginning chapters of The Artist’s Way, the author discusses the Basic Principles and the Basic Tools needed as we start our journey to get in touch with our inner artist. Cameron goes into serious depth about these topics, but I’d rather discuss the basic concepts and mindset we’ll need to succeed on this journey. If you’d like an in-depth explanation, I highly recommend purchasing the book for yourself. It is very enlightening as Cameron provides insightful anecdotes of unblocking creators and their success stories. Reading these stories for yourself can provide more clarity and a stronger belief in the path. I can only give you the basics and my own experience with the journey. Not to mention the writing in the book is phenomenal.
Moving on!
The Basics
I am going to provide you with the Basic Principles and the Basic Tools upfront because I am seriously going to yap and I don’t want to hold you all hostage like that. The Basic Principles and Basic Tools are incredibly important in completing this journey, so if you seriously want to participate, make sure you get this down.
The “Basic Principles'“ is the belief system we must adopt moving forward on this creative journey. The author describes them as the “bedrock on which creative recovery and discovery can be built.” She advises us to read them once a day and pay attention to any shifts in attitudes or beliefs.
For me, these principles have stuck since I completed my first go around. It is how I see and live life. I genuinely can not envision a life in which I’m not creating because I feel it is my duty to create, not for other people, but for myself and the Great Creator. It is important to be open-minded and accept these principles, which is something I will discuss later on in the post.
Basic Tools
The Basic Tools are my favorite thing in the whole wide world and I use them to this day. According to the author, most people also continue to use them long after completing the journey because of how helpful they are.
So, what are the Tools? Well, there are two: the morning pages and the artist date. It is so important that you use these tools consistently each week and don’t skip out on them. You’ll only be hurting yourself and hindering your progress!
Morning Pages
To begin, the morning pages are described as “the primary tool of creative recovery”. Get yourself a nice notebook and pen because you’ll be using them for at least the next 12 weeks. You must wake up every morning and write three pages. Wait! Before you scoff and say “I’m not doing all that”, just hear me out! These pages are just simple, stream-of-consciousness nothingness. It is not meant to be “writing” in any real sense. It is just a way for you to drain your brain of whatever is on your mind. This is the stuff that gets in the way of your creativity. These pages aren’t meant to be shown to anyone, and you also shouldn’t read through them when they’re done. Around week 8 we will be going through them for a task but until then, just tuck them away. If you’re using a notebook like I am, then just fight the urge to read it (if you’re like me and don’t like being reminded of the person you were yesterday then this should be easy).
So, 3 pages every morning of just whatever comes across your mind. Keep your hand moving. For me, it takes roughly 30 minutes to finish the pages, so wake up 30-40 minutes earlier than usual to fit them into your routine. Make sure to do them in a quiet space where there are no distractions. NEVER SKIP THEM. No matter what your mood is, get them done.
You’ll have a little voice in your head that will criticize you and be quite mean (the “Censor” as Cameron calls it), but you must ignore it and keep pushing through. Its opinions don’t matter because they are not based on truth. A helpful exercise is to draw a little cartoon Censor and put an X through it to remind yourself that it has no real power over you.
Again, the author explains this activity in more depth, so if you’d like to better understand how they work then acquire the book through whatever means you can. My DMs are also open on Substack as well as Instagram if you have questions.
Artist Date
Next, which is my personal favorite, is the artist date. Yes, this is a date with your artist. Julia Cameron describes our inner artist as a child that needs to be nurtured. To do this, we need to give it our attention by spending quality time with it. Each week, set aside a block of time (an hour or more) that is dedicated to nurturing your inner artist. Listen to what you need and allow yourself to explore and be guided. No idea is too “stupid” or “juvenile”. This is a period of play. Most importantly, this is a sacred time spent ALONE, and you must treat it as such. Nobody is allowed on these artist dates.
Now, before you say “I don’t have any money for dates”… when did I ever bring up spending money? Personally, 99% of my artist dates were at a park where I just sat and listened to music and journaled or took pictures or wrote or read. This is about listening to what your inner artist needs/wants. Just make sure it’s an activity that is fun and brings you joy.
Commit to it. You’ll most likely try to find excuses to skip out and not do it, but I see through you…. Killjoy. I’m sorry, that’s mean but it’s true. As we get older, we don’t allow ourselves to have fun and enjoy things. During these next 12 weeks, I want you to allow yourself to play and stop taking life so seriously.
The author describes these tools as a radio receiver and transmitter. The morning pages are you sending out messages to the universe and letting it know (and yourself) of your dreams, complaints, hopes, frustrations, etc., while the artist date is you receiving and opening yourself to insight and guidance.
These are your tools. There will be days when you won’t feel like doing it, but do your best to stick with it.
The author also talks about “filling the well”, which means don’t overdraw your resources. Art is made of images and we have to refill that well. I interpret “images” as “experiences”. You have to get out into the world and experience the life you have been blessed with. Observe every little detail you can. The sights, smells, sounds. Physical sensations. Filling the well should be magical and fun; don’t do what you think you “should” do (boooo) but rather what actually interests you. It doesn’t have to be some big, grand experience either. It can be as mundane as cooking or cleaning. When you’re on the train or waiting for your coffee, stop scrolling on your phone and instead spend that time observing the environment around you. I know you’ve hit your screentime limit…
To sum up, do your morning pages (3, no skimping), do your artist date, and fill your well.
The author provides us with a contract, which I will include somewhere, so we can hold ourselves accountable and look back on it when we need encouragement. Feel free to change it up to suit your personal needs.
Now, I’d like to move into the section of this post in which I get to yap about the concepts and why I love this little course.
The Great Creator
I was raised very Christian, but I’ve since parted ways with the religion. The state of it is not something that appeals to me and I just don’t feel very aligned with it. So, when the author begins mentioning “God” I was a bit put off. If you’re also not Christian, you’re probably a bit put off, too. However, “God” is just a shorthand for creativity energy and flow. It is a higher source of energy that we’re connected too. You can call this Universe, Source, Creator, etc. Whatever works for you and makes you feel comfortable. You could also simply call it flow.
The Source is — as the name implies — the source of spiritual electricity in which we can tap into for an abundance of creativity. We are here to forge an alliance between two artists — ourselves and “God”.
I really resonated with this concept once I was able to remove the Christian “God” from the word “god”. If you’re Christian then feel free to keep you’re concept of “God” if that works for you. However, you don’t have to believe in this “God” idea. Just observe and decide for yourself.
The way I visualize this concept is like this: we’re floating in a vast open sea from which we are born (the Universe) and this sea is imbued with an electrical energy (creativity) that flows through us. When we don’t create, we are willingly blocking off this energy. Life becomes dull. However, when we open ourselves to the possibility and allow ourselves to create, the electric energy flows through us and we brighten up. We are all a part of this sea and we all have access to the energy. We are all creatives.
Synchronicity
As we change and shift our beliefs and mindsets, the universe changes and expands on it. This is synchronicity. Basically, do that creative thing that you want to do, and have faith that the universe will advance and expand.
“Leap, and the net will appear.”
You don’t have to believe it, as I mentioned before, but just watch and observe the process.
I personally have many different experiences with synchronicity that has only strengthened my faith.
Quick tangent:
It’s a bit weird to talk about “God” and “faith” and “spirituality” because I believe at some point these terms just become buzzwords and lose all their weight and meaning. To me, they start to come off as a bit corny and annoying, and I hate using them sometimes. Maybe I’ll come up with some synonyms. Anyway….
What to expect
This journey is going to be rough and uncomfortable, but it will also be insightful and liberating. We are going to feel a lot of emotions as we look within ourselves and see all the parts we’ve been avoiding and neglecting. There will be skepticism and there will be acceptance. We’ll move forward and fall backward. We’ll be tempted to give up; the author describes this as a “creative U-turn”. We must recommit to the process and let ego fall away.
We’re going to dig up buried dreams. We’re going to learn to be selfish with our creativity and our time. We are going to give up bad habits that block our creativity. We are going to take an honest look at ourselves and our lives so we can reconnect with who we truly are and who we’re meant to be.
Stop saying “it’s too late.”
Stop waiting “until you make enough money.”
Especially stop fearing what family and friends would think of you.
We are going to take our creative potential seriously, and we are not going to make excuses anymore.
I know a lot of this can seem weird, but it’s where I find solace. As I mentioned before, organized religion doesn’t bring me much peace or comfort, and not having something to turn to can be scary.
I felt incredibly lost before finding The Artist’s Way. I think this can be said for a lot of people since we live in a hypermodern era, in which technology rules and there’s no place to turn to for comfort. People in the pre-modern era were guided by God and religion. In the modern era, people had science to turn to and find comfort in. What do we have? Mark Zuckerberg? Elon Musk? The Almighty Algorithm? Be serious.
I think we could all use a spiritual awakening. Where do we find meaning? How do we feel connected to ourselves, others, and the universe we exist in? How do you live?
I’ve only been in contact with spirituality for barely a year, so I won’t pretend like I’m an expert; however, I will attest to the fact that since practicing it, I’ve been much more fulfilled and satisified with life.
Next Time
This marks the end of today’s newsletter. It was a bit of a longer one, but don’t act like you weren’t warned. I appreciate everyone who has read (or listened) this far. I hope this is something that excites you. I’m also down on my knees praying that I do it justice. Again, I’m just showing you all the skeleton; the book has an aliveness that a beginner like me can only dream of providing.
If you’re interested, I’ll be posting a companion podcast episode where I’ll speak a bit more freely about these ideas.
Smooches,
Ken <3
this is so cool , i didn’t realize how in depth this went , i get the notebook needs 2 b stream of consciousness but like wat does that mean lol