When was the last time you took yourself on a date?

A creative date encourages making art

When was the last time you took yourself on a date?

This is an adaptation of Julia Cameron’s Artist Dates. Her approach is about finding inspiration.
A creative date is what to do once you have inspiration.
It is about creating the time and space to make your mark upon the page.

I’ve always seen dates as an activity with other people. It took me a long time to realize that spending time with myself can be a beautiful thing. When I find those rarefied moments to myself, I easily slip onto the couch and Netflix.

I’ve been experimenting with ways to elevate my alone time. I’ve been putting time in my calendar to explore my internal landscape and translate it into art. It’s challenging but rewarding.

Let’s chart a course and talk about creative dates.

A creative date is an opportunity to explore your own creativity

Think of it like planting seeds in the garden of alone time. It is the process of nurturing an artform.

All our creativity needs is a canvas to express itself upon. All it needs is the time to blossom. Sometimes, it needs permission or encouragement. Like any expedition, creativity benefits from planning, preparation and scheduling.

I’m a big believer in the power of scheduled, intentional and protected time.

Put the time into your calendar, call it something like, creative time.
If you need to, negotiate to have the time to yourself. For me, this involves having a conversation with my partner.
This also helps her plan her own schedule and make adjustments so I that can have our shared space to myself.
Limit the time and create healthy boundaries around it. 20minutes. Or an hour. Maybe two.

Then stop when the allocated time runs out.

Keep yourself hungry for these sessions.

Preparation is key

What do you need to make this experience happen?
Is there anything blocking you?

What medium do you want to explore? Art, writing, music. It could be anything.

This is about connecting the wellspring of inspiration to an outlet. Do you have the materials you need?

How about snacks, a soundtrack and an outfit?

I think of these like pairing the perfect wine with a meal. Getting the right ingredients can elevate the entire experience.

Write down everything you envision and acquire what you need. Then pick a time and place.
What do you need to make this time feel special?
This is about prioritizing the version of your identity that enjoys making art.

Process not polish

This time is best spent alone. I can talk about how to invite someone else into this process in another article. For now, there is no one watching. It’s about how it feels. This is your process.

Personally, I find it far easier to put attention and effort into impressing someone else than enchanting myself. If I’m spending time with myself, I have to put in a conscious effort to wear anything but my bathrobe. An invitation helps. I need a reason to dress up. I have to force myself but putting on a suit helps me with this process.

It’s not about the end product or the result of this time. It’s about enjoyment, exploration and experimentation. If you spend this time polishing a product, it can easily spiral into a sense of work. It can become a chase towards perfection. This is not what we want. We want to be immersed in the process of creation. All that other stuff can come later.

Elevate the experience

What would help make this time feel special?
Perhaps, a new tube of paint or a writing prompt. A new outfit. Perhaps, the excitement can come from the location, a forest, a beach. What would encourage you to step out of your ordinary identity?

I like to light candles. If I am feeling particularly beautiful, I like to write with a fountain pen in a leather notebook. Creating a sense of ritual can help with the transition into this elevate state. If you have special objects that you only use for these creative moments it can also help embody this version of your identity. The object itself can develop an associated habit and trigger the transition into this creative space.

Resistance and the importance of showing up

Imagine being stood up for a date. It is a horrible feeling. Believe me, I have done it to myself many times. It is easy to avoid following through on your own best intentions. I have set aside valuable time to write and spent it scrolling through Instagram. But the thing is to not feel defeated. Disappointed, yes but not defeated. If this happens, it is a chance to practice self-compassion.

Do not get discouraged, just try again. It’s meant to be fun and there is no rush. Patient persistence is key. It will be worth it when you finally follow through and take yourself on a creative date. Keep trying and trying again.

I encourage you to take yourself on a creative date.

It can be a powerful experience that allows you to explore your creativity.

Keep showing up for the version of yourself that loves art.

Talk soon,
Harley.