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In my July e-newsletter, I posted these lyrics from a well-known childhood song:
Row, Row Row Your Boat
Gently Down The Stream
Merrily Merrily Merrily
Life Is But A Dream
Then, I stated:
Ha-Ha!
This little tune can be soothing when you are emotionally sizzling! Picturing yourself rowing a boat–perhaps, going under a waterfall— can be helpful. So, too, can be taking yourself on a little outing–no boat required. It always amazes me how these little jaunts refresh my mind and soul.
About 40 years ago, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron with a group of friends. Although I do not consider myself an artist in the sense of artwork, I agreed with Julia that we are all artists in this life. Her book and others she has written have had a tremendous positive impact on my life.
One of the activities she suggests is a weekly ‘Artist Date.’
She wrote this about an Artist Date in that book:
An Artist Date is a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist. In its most primary form, the Artist Date is an excursion, a play date that you preplan and defend against all interlopers. You do not take anyone on this Artist Date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a. your creative child.
(I would add: no dogs or other animals allowed. This is for you and you only.)
Since reading her book, I have been going on a weekly Artist Date consistently and can honestly say I always feel better afterward. I don’t always take a two-hour jaunt, but I do spend at least one hour.
These dates don’t have to cost money.
Some of my dates include:
Visiting garden centers
Going to nearby towns and walking around
Looking at clothes—even trying them on—at expensive boutiques
Attending farmers markets
Spending time with animals for adoption
I have always benefited from these sojourns, coming away more peaceful and feeling more gratitude. Many times, new creative ideas pop into my head.
