CREATIVE DATES WITH MYSELF

Most of my creativity is in bursts of 5-10 minutes, which I discussed in the previous blog. However, I also like to have creative dates with myself, so I thought I'd share what one looks like for me.

Firstly, what is a creative date? I learnt about this concept in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. She calls it an artist date and explains it as "a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly "artistic"– think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration."

It resonated deeply with me, and I've scheduled them regularly ever since reading about it in her book. I don't have these dates weekly, especially not in the last year, but I do make space for them in my diary.

Elizabeth Gilbert also talks about something similiar in her Magic Lesson podcast "Sexy, Dirty, Nasty, Wicked." She encourages her caller to have a love affair with her creativity. Again, it's about making time for your creativity.

These dates have become part of my creative routine whenever I need to top up my "buckets of paint". And last week, when I found my house empty for the first time in over a year, I instinctively knew I had to take advantage of this unexpected gift.

My creative date started with a date scone and a latte at my favourite cafe/nursery/gift store. I then wandered around the garden nursery and the gift store, dreaming of what I'd love to tale home with me..

I drove to my favourite fruit and vegetable stall while listening to Brooke Schultz on her podcast.

I came home energised and ready to make something. I'd had an idea of baking carrot muffins with dried pineapple flowers which are a little bit fussier than I'd typically bake. It felt like the right day to try it, and I enjoyed a slow morning in the kitchen as I sipped on coffee and made something new.

I then imagined a scene for capturing these muffins, which was outdoors rather than my usual indoor flat lay. I wanted a romantic setting of an afternoon tea, something pretty and magical. I explained the idea to my daughter, and she agreed to be invoved. We spent 30 minutes aside, just before the rain arrived.

My creativity date had come to an end, but my buckets of paint were full and that's why I schedule in time for me. It's how I create wildly with joy.