Reinstate the Artist Date

I’ve just realised that I haven’t written any entries on this goal in a while. Despite that, however, I’ve actually been doing really well with this goal. I’ve watched DVDs, made myself special cups of tea, worked on some craft projects, even attended a convention. It has been so great just to take some time out to relax on my own. My next one is tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it, though I haven’t yet quite decided what I’ll do.

I’m almost ready to mark this as done.

I’m getting better at this. I had another artist date on Friday. It was such lovely weather that it had to be spent outside. So I took my picnic blanket into the backyard and spent some time playing with my bubble-blowing mixture. It was pretty old and didn’t work very well, so I progressed to doing some gardening—mostly potting and transplanting things. I had such a lovely time.

Even after I had fun the last time I did this, it took me until last week to do another. I don’t think I’m very good at this because last week turned out to be rather amusing. I sat down and went through my art supplies and ended up making a card. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would, though. Possibly that was because I had to hurry off afterwards to meet a friend.

I arrived at the shopping centre where we were supposed to meet. The first thing I saw when I walked in the door was a new art supply store. Since I had a little time to spare, I went and looked through it. It was more fun that my “official” artist date.

Anyway, I am determined to have another one this week.

I see that killjoy side of me has been far too successful in wriggling out of this. Not today, though! I very firmly took some time out and I feel… lighter for it. It wasn’t anything fancy. It was cold outside and I didn’t feel like going out anywhere. So I put on some music, gathered my supplies and went to work on one of my goals

I definitely will have to do this again next week.

I’ve been thinking a bit lately that I’ve forgotten how to have fun. I spend so much time worrying, stressed out and trying to be productive. All work and no play is unhealthy as well as dull.

So, in order to try and achieve a bit more balance, I’ve adopted this goal. LunacyBleeding actually inspired me on this one by beginning to work through the Artist’s Way. I’ve done it a few times, and while the morning pages have stuck with me ever since, the artist date hasn’t.

I sat down and read what Julia Cameron has to say about the artist date. “Commit yourself to a weekly artist’s date, and then watch your killjoy side try to wriggle out of it. Watch how this sacred time gets easily encroached upon. Watch how the sacred time suddenly includes a third party. Learn to guard against these invasions.”

I’m watching that killjoy wriggle right now. I think the key to this goal is there in Julia Cameron’s words – this is sacred time.

I did some brainstorming on possible artist dates last night. I’ve even picked a day of the week to have them. Now I just need to set a time.