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The concept of artist dates might sound a tad hokey on the surface. After all, the idea, originated by Julia Cameron in her seminal work The Artist’s Way, asks you to take your “inner artist” on a date.
But aside from being fun, I’ve discovered over the years that this type of self-care is essential for refilling one’s creative well and, especially, for avoiding creative burnout.
“Creativity lies in paradox: serious art is born from serious play.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
What is an Artist’s Date
An artist’s date is a solo outing intended to nurture your relationship with the artistic aspect of yourself. In Julia Cameron’s own words: “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.”
Thus, an artist’s date can be any time intentionally planned to refill and replenish your creativity.
Why Artist’s Dates Matter
As a mom who works multiple jobs, I’m no stranger to burnout. There were years when I worked non-stop 24-7, leaving little time for rest and rejuvenation, much less sleep.
I’d often stay up well past the time I should have put my laptop away, sometimes not sleeping at all, only to “get up” the next day and do it all over again.
I hit a physical wall when I discovered I could no longer pull all-nighters thanks to age, which I wrote about for Healthline. But this kind of constant pushing led me also to hit a mental one.
Burnout can come with a host of physical symptoms, including headaches, exhaustion, stomach issues, and insomnia, especially that “wired but tired” feeling. But, one sure sign of burnout is the mental effects, such as the loss of interest or pleasure in the things you once enjoyed, like your art.
I’ve wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember. But these weekend and late-night writing sessions, which took place after I’d worked all day and been on “mom duty” for the rest, meant I felt like I was writing non-stop without a break.
I did this for years before realizing all the joy had been sapped from my life AND my writing. Worse, my creative tap ran dry.
I’ve never lacked for ideas. I keep running lists of book, story, and article ideas, more than I could ever write in a lifetime. More than lists, though, the stories, especially my fiction, constantly “haunted me.”
Characters took up residence in my mental space, and dialogue and scenes occurred to me at random moments throughout my day — in the car, in the shower, while folding laundry, or even while watching TV.
But at some point during my busiest years, that stopped. Without breathing room in my day, those stories stopped breathing their lives into my imagination.
Fortunately, as I’ve been working on my relationship with time, and especially making time for what’s important — like artist’s dates — my imagination has lit up again. And I feel reignited with new passion to put words on the page.
But back then, this felt like a devastating loss. And so this, more than anything, is why I now believe in the crucial importance of the artist’s date. As with a “real“ relationship, you might lose your connection to your inner artist if you’re not nurturing that relationship.
Likewise, if you’re pushing yourself to the point of burnout, your creative faculties might dry up. It’s one reason why, counterintuitively, “hustle culture” is a recipe for failure. Productivity actually demands rest, which I’ve written about many times.
More than rest, though, the artist's date is about replenishment — refilling the creative well — by doing something that inspires and rejuvenates you. So, as much as this could be about curling up in a hammock with a good book, it could also mean taking a pottery workshop or visiting a museum, whatever refills you.
How to Plan an Artist’s Date
Brainstorm a list of artist’s date ideas. I’m not always good at knowing what to do when it comes to spending time with myself, especially with knowing what will nurture my inner being. So, it helps to have a list prepared so you never lack for ideas.
Once a week, choose an idea from your list and schedule it. The best practice is to grant yourself a weekly artist’s date of at least two hours. Make sure to add it to your calendar to ensure it happens.
Arrange for solo time. An artist’s date is for you and you alone. So, even if you like to involve your family or significant other in your artistic pursuits, as I do, schedule that for another time.
“Artist Dates are assigned play.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
Artist’s Date Ideas
I've included my list for inspiration to help you brainstorm your own list of artist’s date ideas. My list is a work in progress, as it should be. You might similarly want to keep your list somewhere you can continually add to it whenever new ideas strike, such as in a Google Doc.
Take a walk in a park or other unique location, taking pictures of anything you like.
Grab a cup of coffee and browse the stacks at an indie bookstore.
Browse a favorite store just to window shop. Some of my favorites are IKEA, Home Goods, Pottery Barn, and the Container Store.
Cut pictures from magazines to make a “vision board” full of whatever inspires you.
Visit an art museum and just sit and take in your favorite pieces.
Treat yourself to lunch at an outdoor cafe, and people-watch or sketch what you see.
Visit a botanical garden and enjoy some quiet time amidst the flowers.
Visit a craft store and plan a new project.
Do an art different from your own: Make a craft, paint a picture, color in an adult coloring book, tackle a DIY project, or sing karaoke.
Indulge in watching a movie or binging a TV show you’ve wanted to watch.
Collect flowers, press them, and make them into bookmarks.
Do a short meditation or mindfulness practice.
Go to the farm market and buy something you wouldn’t normally.
Plan a trip somewhere. Or take a short day trip somewhere new.
Buy new plants for the garden, putter in the garden, or look up new recipes to make using food from the garden.
Have an at-home spa day.
Get a mani-pedi.
Arrange a photo album.
Make a bonfire, and just sit outside enjoying it. Or make s’mores!
In winter, make a snowman or go sledding.
In summer, go to the beach and build a sandcastle or collect seashells.
In spring, fly a kite or go berry picking.
In the fall, collect leaves or go apple-picking
Make a playlist for the book you're currently writing. (And listen to it for inspiration!)
Visit an arts festival.
Watch a documentary about something that fascinates you.
Visit a winery for a winetasting.
Make a list of 100 things that make you happy.
Go for a leisurely bike ride (for fun, not exercise).
Go stargazing.
Play a video game.
Paint rocks and leave them for others to find.
Build Legos.
Go on a treasure hunt: Shop thrift stores, estate sales, or garage sales.
Pretend to be a kid again: Go to the mall and buy stuff that reminds you of childhood, like fun toys or candy.
Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle boat for an hour or two.
Visit a stationary store and buy a new journal and pens.
Take a boat trip or a train ride and watch the scenery.
Design your dream home: Collect pictures, blueprints, ideas, etc.
Complete a puzzle.
Tour a historic building.
Take a cooking class or go on a food tour in your city.