The Artist’s Way

“To do something well, we must first be willing to do it badly”

Julia Cameron - The Artist’s Way

This month, I finally completed The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. You know, that book—the one that's been collecting dust on my shelf, promising creative enlightenment if only I’d actually read it. I’d tried before, only to get stuck on the slightly spiritual tone, but this time, I embraced it with an open mind. And honestly? I get the hype.

The first challenge? Morning Pages. Three longhand pages of whatever nonsense my half-asleep brain spills out first thing in the morning. Dreams, anxieties, complaints about the weather—it's all fair game. My notebook now holds a lifetime's supply of my existential musings and random grievances (including a suspicious number of rants about the price of oat milk). And let me tell you, if nothing else, it has vastly improved my pen stamina—who knew handwriting could be such a workout?

Then there’s the Artist Date. A weekly solo adventure designed to fuel creativity. I was deeply skeptical about this one. Who has time to take themselves on a date? But once I got over the initial guilt of “wasting time,” I started to love it. A solo wander around a gallery, a trip to an obscure second-hand bookshop, sketching in Bristol Museum, even a ridiculously overpriced pastry in a café—each tiny act of indulgence felt like I was replenishing a well I didn’t even realize had run dry.

The biggest takeaway? Permission. Permission to play, to explore, to create without immediately justifying it as productive. Cameron reminds us that creativity isn't just about the outcome—it’s about the process. And perhaps most importantly, she highlights that doubt, fear, and resistance are all part of the deal. We just have to keep showing up anyway.

If you’ve ever felt creatively blocked, a little stuck, or just itching for some inspiration, this book might just be the gentle kick up the backside you need. Is it a little intense? Sure. Will you roll your eyes at parts? Probably. But somewhere along the way, you might just rediscover the joy of making things—no pressure, no expectations, just for you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an Artist Date to plan (I’m thinking something involving acrylic markers and a nostalgia-fueled trip to an art shop… it’s the smell I love!). Who’s joining me?