Ladies of a Certain Age ~ for those invisible powerful, dynamic, vital women

Are you feeling like you have lost a chunk of your life lately? Or, maybe like you have lost the zip in your step? Or, like you just don’t know what to do these days?

My answer to all of those questions is, “You bet, and I don’t like feeling that way!”

Thank goodness I remembered one of my favorite authors, Julia Cameron, suggested taking me on an “Artist Date.” It is one of her cornerstone tools in The Artist’s Way, which has sold over five million copies since published in 1992, and Seeking Wisdom, her latest published last month. I’ve read both of these books, and they have made a mountainous impact on my life. 

An Artist Date is what I need at this time. (And, it’s February, Valentine’s Month, perfect for dates.) I’ve been on a few of these dates now, and I am happy to report I have regained my vim and vigor, people (and my dog and cat) like me more, and I know what to do to get out of this snit (A word I learned from a friend who “grew up Southern,”) which means sulky, grouchy, grumpy, etc. 

The 5 Ws of an Artist Date —

1. What is an Artist Date?

It is a pre-planned activity with no agenda that somehow increases your sensitivity to better things ahead. You don’t have to dress up for them (even though I always do) or spend any money.  

2. Who Goes on an Artist Date?

Just you. I admit I often bring my dog along for companionship while traveling. However, my dog has never gone into the actual venues.

3. Where Do You Go on an Artist Date?

Wherever your little heart desires.  

Recently, I went to the Montrose Regional Airport in Montrose, Colorado, which is about 50 miles from my home. I wanted to go there because Southwest Airlines uses that terminal instead of the much larger airport in Grand Junction, where I live. Also, since I have lots of Southwest Frequent Flyer Miles, I wanted to see if it was worth the drive to use them. Afterward, I went to a marvelous second-hand store, Heirlooms for Hospice, in Montrose.

About a week before that date,  I woke up one morning thinking about cappuccinos. I have not had one of these marvelous espresso drinks in heavens knows when. So, I called my favorite coffee shop, The Artful Cup, operated by HopeWest for their HopeWest Kids program for young people who have experienced a death of a loved one. The shop is in an old farmhouse and has great craft and art items for sale. It helps to fund a unique program, one I wish was available to my sister, age 13, and me, age 16, and our father when my mom died in 1964.  

Because of the high levels of Covid where I live, I avoid indoor spaces such as art galleries or the butterfly pavilion at the local botanic gardens.

If we ever have a spell of cold and snowy weather again, I have discovered the joys of  Rick Steves Travel Programs on YouTube and plan to go to several countries from the comfort of my couch.

4. When Do You Go on an Artist Date?

Julia Cameron suggests weekly. I generally go on Saturday because that is the day of the week I first picked since I worked “nine-to-five” when I initially read The Artist Way.

You can go any day your little heart desires.

5. Why do you go on an Artist Date?

According to almost 74-years-old Julia Cameron in her latest book, Seeking Wisdom: A Spiritual Path to Creativity, “(An Artist Date)..is a once-a-week, solo adventure that you take just for fun. Think of is an “assigned play.” It is during Artist Dates that I often experience synchronicity—the phenomenon of uncanny good luck or coincidence—and feel a sense of connection to God.”

I’ve been using the Artist Date to get out of a funk. There is something magical for me to plan and carry out an adventure. Frankly, I see things that I usually don’t see, and I see them differently. For example, during my recent drive to Montrose, there was a collar of white clouds hugging the top part of Colorado’s Grand Mesa and then the San Juan Mountains. What a simple joy these clouds were, but exquisite. Sitting at the Artful Cup amongst all the artwork, I experienced stress releasing from my whole body. I could almost see it as the rising of the steam coming from the cup of coffee.  

After the Date is Over

Evaluation helps me solidify my experience. I think about my adventure several days after I get back home. This debriefing gives me clues about what’s going on with me and ideas for future dates. Julia Cameron believes Artist’s Date help with creativity. 

I have found this to be true. For example, the plot for the ladies-of-a-certain-age mystery I am writing, Murder and a Blue Spruce, is challenging. Unlike the two I have already published–Murder and Pink Blossoms and Murder and a Victory Garden--I have to develop the whole story. I did not even know I would write mysteries until one day, the entire scenario for Murder and Pink Blossoms bombarded my head. I had not written fiction since I was a college freshman. (Boy, what an experience it has been to educate myself about this form of writing.)  For Murder and a Victory Garden, I creatively used for the storyline an actual murder that happened not far from where I was living.

Disclaimer: Since its inception in 2013, this blog has not been financially or otherwise supported by any company or entity.  

Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, February 1, 2022