The Final Prep
Setting Intentions for Your Creative Healing
Author’s Note: Quick heads-up on a schedule shift + a big announcement about the short story series. [More details at the end of this post.]
This post is the final primer before we start the weekly sessions of creative healing. Just some basic details apart from the tools in the last few posts.
The Unexpected Source of Brilliant Ideas
The last post mentioned Artist’s Date. You plan, schedule, and take yourself out on an experience to bring inspiration. Well, there’s a more economical way to fill up your creative well if you can’t spend a single coin: repetitive activities.
Yeah, you read that right. Ever heard people say, “I got an idea in the shower.”? There’s a whole subreddit dedicated to shower thoughts because it’s a repetitive task and triggers insightful and inspirational ideas. The same with cooking, driving, or scrubbing. Anything that’s a regular chore you need to do.
There’s one rule. You shouldn’t be distracting yourself. No movie, podcast, or YouTube video in the background grabbing your focus. Just be present. Let your subconscious talk to you, and you’ll be surprised what it has to say.
This doesn’t replace artist’s dates. It compliments.
Are you Creatively Blocked?
Like I mentioned in my first post, many think they aren’t creative. The truth is that they are just blocked. How do you know? Here are a few things creatively blocked people say.
“It’s too late.” : GRR Martin started writing Game of Thrones at 48 years old. He got fame for it at 63 years old. Morgan Freeman only started getting significant roles in his 50s. Colonel Harland Sanders started Franchising KFC in his 60s. It’s never too late.
“I need to make more money first.”: You can still have your day job. Don’t quit. The beginning stages of creativity is a side hustle. I have a day job too and I make money. I still started publishing online.
“It’s just my ego.”: And that’s what this program helps your conquer.
“Dreams don’t matter; I should be more sensible.”: Dreams when turned into goals will look sensible. Just try it.
“My friends and family would think I’m crazy.”: That’s what Walt Disney’s family/friends thought too.
“Creativity is a luxury.”: That’s like saying breathing is a luxury. An innate human trait isn’t luxury and rediscovering it is your right.
Another big one is jealousy. You see someone expressing their creativity and it leaves a knot in your stomach.
What to expect from the rest of this series
One major goal is to turn your negatives to positives.
Morning pages might have given you the trailer of the emotional rollercoaster that this program is. Well, here’s more about what exactly to expect.
Early weeks: Resisitence and Denial. You won’t want to do it. You enjoy your comfort zone. The hard part is stepping out of it to do something beautiful.
Mid-Course: Anger. There are many reasons for losing your creativity. As they reveal themselves you confront your feelings and anger bursts out. It’s normal. Don’t subdue it.
Later Weeks: Grief. Confronting that you did lose your creativity is a big step to finding it again.
The U-Turn: Bargaining. You want to drop out. You think you don’t need The Artist’s Way anymore. You want to give up. Don’t! You’re almost there. You came this far. I did this myself. After week 8 I though I’m fine. It’s all done. I took a month’s break but I got back to it. It’s fine the drop the ball. The important part is that you pick it up again.
The Breakthrough: When you recommit you give up your ego so that your potential can show.
Final Phase: Acceptence. You build automnomy, resilience and excitement.
It’s like the stages of grief. Grief about losing your creativity. This program helps you find it again. You might feel like you are distancing from actions that fulfil others dreams and reclaim your own. There might be external resistence but your dreams are yours to protect. Fight for them.
The Contract
To mark your dedication, Julia Cameron suggests a Contract. To sign your commitment to healing yourself. Here’s a sample that’s similar to one in the book.
I, <your full name>, understand that I am undertaking an intensive, guided adventure to rediscover my own creativity and heal myself. I commit to the twelve-week duration of the program.
I, <your name>, promise to faithfully complete each week’s practices including,
Reading
Daily morning pages
Weekly artist’s date
Fulfillment of each week’s tasks
I, <your name>, further understand that this program is emotional and I will have to deal with them and other problems even when unexpected, especially then. I, <your name>, promise to dedicate time and energy to my self-care during this program which includes,
Getting enough sleep
Following a healthy diet
Regular exercise
Pampering myself and showing self-love
<Sign here>
I suggest you write this out by hand to absorb the level of comitement needed. Share this with your trusted friends and family. Or even social media. Whatever works.
Starting next post in this series, we’ll dive into the weekly journeys. Until then enjoy your morning pages and artist’s date, and don’t forget to let your thoughts wander when you wash dishes.
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As promised, here’s the big news. You made the decision. Poll results are in! I’ll be sharing my old short stories after some polishing and revising. First story is called “Plans, Expulsions and Payback”(working title).
A quick heads-up! A technical glitch last week delayed the previous post from reaching your inboxes. It was published but not sent out. This shifted the schedule to Fridays. If you ever miss an update, please let me know. I’m still fine-tuning my Substack workflow.
Can’t wait to take this trip down memory lane and share “All the Secrets we Meet” with you all.