**Part 1 of series of articles related to this self-improvement course.
12/11/2020
I started this process several times over the last year.
I found out about this book and course, “The Artist Way – A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” by Julia Cameron, through an Instagram post in the summer of 2019.
At the time, we as a family, were in transition. The nest was becoming empty with the youngest one headed off to college. I attempted to start the morning pages on that road trip but only made it through 2 days and put it aside.
As of today, I have been doing the morning pages for the last 31 days. I finally purchased the book two weeks ago and started reading it.
The process of fulling integrating myself into the course has been slow going.
I know there is no hurry for me to begin it with everything else going on in my life. I also know that creatively I have been stuck for quite a while.
I have second bedroom filled with crafty things and unfinished projects.
Knowing that I am a creative person at heart but also dealing with an injury plus depression just hinders that process. I wake up ready to take on the day but by midday, I am tired and want to sleep. Physical therapy is draining to me.
All the testimonials that I read from others that started The Artist Way course have me convinced that it can help me get to where I want to be creatively.
The first part I wanted to get down was the morning pages. The stream of thought writing done first thing in the morning to get all those “thoughts” that may bog you down out of the way before starting the day. In some posts by others, they did the writings at night but according to the book, just getting into that habit is the point. The time of day did not matter.
The part I have not done yet is the contract with myself to dedicate the time and effort to sticking to this 12-week course. I just have not written it out. I will try to accomplish that today and officially begin.
A suggestion in the book to keep oneself on track is to make a schedule to dedicate the time for the activities. This is an already ongoing issue with myself and one I have been working on for quite a while.
I was always this ultra-organized person. I had a calendar broken down into tasks to complete each day, week, month, and yearly goals. It was color coded and I relied on it heavily as a working mom to four kids. Then when I retired from the military so did the calendar and the wearing of a watch.
That was at the beginning of the wave of depression and I just did not care anymore. I did, in my thoughts, but could not find the motivation.
Then I read that Instagram post.
A part of the process includes something called an Artist Date. Taking yourself out and doing things that bring out the happiness or possibly the inspiration. A solo trip of self-discovery. That part is kind of difficult to do with an ongoing pandemic. Most of the places that I would go to find inspiration are closed to the public while others I do not feel comfortable going to. That part is going to require some out of the box thinking.
This is just the beginning of writing about this process and seeing where it takes me.
As I get further along into the weekly lesson then I will begin posting these writings and set them up as a series.
I may possibly change up my YouTube to include a video snippet each week as I go. I am still undecided on that part.
I worried and fretted so much over not having the time to be creative. Here I am now with a lot of time on my hands. It is time to get moving again.
I cannot let an injury and recovery keep me from accomplishing the things that I want.
There have been many people before me and out there right now diving into and living their dreams who had far greater difficulties than I do.
It is time for me to put up, shut up, or get out of my way.
Thank you for stopping by.
Take care and be safe out there.
Peace, love, happiness, and good vibes to you always!
Live creatively and be yourself.
Suzanne
love to bake 