A way to go

 

     Do the words "morning pages" and "artist date" mean anything to you? If they do, you're probably familiar with Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self. If not, and you feel you want to "unlock your latent creativity", you could do worse than read the book and follow its plan. In it are tools for anyone who has ever wanted to write, draw, paint, sculpt, make music, any creative activity whatsoever - blogging even! - and who has thought "I can't do that", "what's the use of trying", "I'll never manage it", "I'm not good enough ....". I'd say, having read it and used it, that its worth is not just in getting you to put pen to paper or paint on canvas; it can help shift blocks in other areas, too. If you feel like having a go, Sarah has set up a group to do it together - details here.

    Another book of Julia Cameron's I have found useful was Walking in This World. Yes, she continues the themes of The Artist's Way but crucially adds a daily or, at least, weekly walk to her other exercises: solvitur ambulando, in effect. She says, "Ideas come to us as we walk. We also invite their quieter friend, insight. Walking often moves us past the 'what' of our life into the more elusive 'why'".
    Sarah's chosen just the right time of year to start a programme like this, I think, and whether you want to work through the book(s) on your own or with her group, I'd encourage you to have a go; artist or not, you will find it is a way forward.

Comments

[Barbara MacLeod]

A most interesting expression: solvitur ambulando. I had not come across it before. It makes me wonder about places where people would walk to solve (or resolve?) what is one their mind, e.g. cloisters; perhaps a special path in a garden used for such purpose as this? Where does that leave mazes?

[Dark Puss]

I do a lot of thinking and a lot of walking. Most of the latter is as part of my daily commute and while it isn't through cloisters or gardens it serves its purpose of both exercise and space for thought admirably.