Like Elena, I did my morning pages *nearly* every day, and only twice in the actual mornings. I have found it already a fruitful practice. I am starting to think that I am not writing enough though (my notebook is slightly bigger than 8x11, so I write two pages), but I think I’ll work on that once the habit is more secure.
For my artist date, I went to a local park. I walked a bit, forced myself to sit in silence and acknowledge the nature as art, read a bit, and wrote a bit within the two hours. I noted that it might be difficult for my artist dates to be focused because I may be rather addicted to busyness. Anyone else notice this?
I plan to do the week on exercises and listen to the podcast tomorrow.
My notebook also small, but I think that makes three pages each morning more realistic with me in this fairly busy season. And yes, I do notice the restlessness that comes with rest.
I have been looking forward to this for weeks and commend you both for perseverance amidst hurdles and obstacles! There seems to be a force at work in the world intent on sweeping us all into a churning river of nothing but frenzy, resulting in a continual state of weariness. I am resisting the urge to just slog along from one day to the next, offering neither art nor beauty to the world. I am in a different season than both of you and a generation older, but still pursuing a writing career while caring for my family. This series is going to be great and I am excited to learn alongside you. Blessings!
I think I was able to complete the morning pages almost every day this week. (I may have skipped one day.) Like Elena, I did not always do them in the mornings. However, I don’t feel bad about that...? (Did Julia have a strict rule about this?) My mornings are insane as I have kids to get up and out the door, so my goal was to do the morning pages before I sat down to work on my creative projects. It was beneficial to “brain drain” before trying to focus on work. I’ve been practicing that “nearly” every day for a while now, but this week I worked on getting closer to the three page mark, as I typically don’t write morning pages for more than a few paragraphs.
The check in last week was very encouraging! I look forward to listening to this next episode.
Yes I think doing the brain drain before creating is so helpful. If I were to do it in the morning but then take care of all the other work I needed to do I feel like I’d need to brain drain again before doing anything creative!
Artist dates are hard in the suburbs! I used to go on lots of walks as artist dates when I first tried the Artist’s Way a few years ago because it was the pandemic and I had nothing else to do! Otherwise: browsing flea markets and thrift stores, going to a park and looking at the sky up through the trees, going to the local high school or community theatre concerts and plays, those paint your own pottery places all make good artist dates!
This week I went to a flea market for my artist date. I did my morning pages most days, but didn’t even open the Artist’s Way. I forgot how helpful it can be to just have a place to dump thoughts before you try to form them into anything good. The morning pages feel like the part of painting where you’re preparing the canvas.
I loved this conversation! I resonate with many of the same reasons why both of you write, especially that inner compulsion rather than any financial incentive.
What a horrific train journey. I was reassured by your scepticism as to some of Julia Cameron's views! I do find her a bit too dewy-eyed at times...
I have continued my morning pages as that was a habit I've already established, but I rather suspect it will be the only thing I manage properly. I did do one virtual gallery visit - I decided I would start local with the Bristol art gallery, which has digitised its Modern Art and Old Masters galleries. This was of use in that I learned I do not wish to visit either gallery for real (oh dear, what a dreary collection). Though I should say I have enjoyed several real visits there and have also found an online version of a old exhibition they had of Japanese prints, which I will 'visit' next! (Another advantage of virtual galleries, you can visit exhibitions which have finished!)
I also did the same exercise as Elena and hated it!
Why do we hate that exercise so much? I'm trying to decide in myself whether it's legitimate or not (my hatred of the affirmations). I think for me it is that makes obvious the danger, I suppose, of, as one of my work colleagues put it, becoming a very confident bad writer.
This is so good!
Like Elena, I did my morning pages *nearly* every day, and only twice in the actual mornings. I have found it already a fruitful practice. I am starting to think that I am not writing enough though (my notebook is slightly bigger than 8x11, so I write two pages), but I think I’ll work on that once the habit is more secure.
For my artist date, I went to a local park. I walked a bit, forced myself to sit in silence and acknowledge the nature as art, read a bit, and wrote a bit within the two hours. I noted that it might be difficult for my artist dates to be focused because I may be rather addicted to busyness. Anyone else notice this?
I plan to do the week on exercises and listen to the podcast tomorrow.
Thanks for the check in! 💗
My notebook also small, but I think that makes three pages each morning more realistic with me in this fairly busy season. And yes, I do notice the restlessness that comes with rest.
I have been looking forward to this for weeks and commend you both for perseverance amidst hurdles and obstacles! There seems to be a force at work in the world intent on sweeping us all into a churning river of nothing but frenzy, resulting in a continual state of weariness. I am resisting the urge to just slog along from one day to the next, offering neither art nor beauty to the world. I am in a different season than both of you and a generation older, but still pursuing a writing career while caring for my family. This series is going to be great and I am excited to learn alongside you. Blessings!
Denise in Alabama.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Denise! Wishing you a beautiful week—and fortitude in your resistance to the churning river!
I think I was able to complete the morning pages almost every day this week. (I may have skipped one day.) Like Elena, I did not always do them in the mornings. However, I don’t feel bad about that...? (Did Julia have a strict rule about this?) My mornings are insane as I have kids to get up and out the door, so my goal was to do the morning pages before I sat down to work on my creative projects. It was beneficial to “brain drain” before trying to focus on work. I’ve been practicing that “nearly” every day for a while now, but this week I worked on getting closer to the three page mark, as I typically don’t write morning pages for more than a few paragraphs.
The check in last week was very encouraging! I look forward to listening to this next episode.
Yes I think doing the brain drain before creating is so helpful. If I were to do it in the morning but then take care of all the other work I needed to do I feel like I’d need to brain drain again before doing anything creative!
Artist dates are hard in the suburbs! I used to go on lots of walks as artist dates when I first tried the Artist’s Way a few years ago because it was the pandemic and I had nothing else to do! Otherwise: browsing flea markets and thrift stores, going to a park and looking at the sky up through the trees, going to the local high school or community theatre concerts and plays, those paint your own pottery places all make good artist dates!
This week I went to a flea market for my artist date. I did my morning pages most days, but didn’t even open the Artist’s Way. I forgot how helpful it can be to just have a place to dump thoughts before you try to form them into anything good. The morning pages feel like the part of painting where you’re preparing the canvas.
love the idea of the morning pages being the canvas prep!
(even though my knowledge of the practicalities of painting is very minimal!)
I loved this conversation! I resonate with many of the same reasons why both of you write, especially that inner compulsion rather than any financial incentive.
What a horrific train journey. I was reassured by your scepticism as to some of Julia Cameron's views! I do find her a bit too dewy-eyed at times...
I have continued my morning pages as that was a habit I've already established, but I rather suspect it will be the only thing I manage properly. I did do one virtual gallery visit - I decided I would start local with the Bristol art gallery, which has digitised its Modern Art and Old Masters galleries. This was of use in that I learned I do not wish to visit either gallery for real (oh dear, what a dreary collection). Though I should say I have enjoyed several real visits there and have also found an online version of a old exhibition they had of Japanese prints, which I will 'visit' next! (Another advantage of virtual galleries, you can visit exhibitions which have finished!)
I also did the same exercise as Elena and hated it!
Why do we hate that exercise so much? I'm trying to decide in myself whether it's legitimate or not (my hatred of the affirmations). I think for me it is that makes obvious the danger, I suppose, of, as one of my work colleagues put it, becoming a very confident bad writer.
just started this journey last week. My reward for getting through each week will be to listen to your wrap ups! So excited :D