An artist date is a weekly solo expedition to nurture your inner artist and refill your creative well. Here’s a wholesome little list of 52 Artist Dates (one for every week of the year) to get you started. 💛

Created by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way, an artist date need not be expensive or extravagant. An easy tip? Think of ten-year-old you and what she would enjoy. A crafting session? A leisurely stroll down the pink-frosted heaven of the Barbie aisle? Whatever makes your Tiny Writer’s heart soar. Take her there. Show her that. Do it with her.

[Who is Tiny Writer? Let me introduce you.]

Just like that, you’ve got yourself an Artist Date. ✨Ta-daa!✨

Why are artist dates important?

Artist dates are proof—for the world and for us—that our creativity matters.

They may seem silly—a waste of time, even—but they’re an opportunity to take our art seriously.

Art is a privilege. Art is creation. And creation is exhausting. (Just ask God what he did on the seventh day.)

Daily, writers create something from nothing. From the constant outflow of our creative wells comes the need to fill ourselves up again.

Blessedly, artist dates get us to disconnect from the desk, wander, wonder, explore, touch grass, and recharge.

How often should we go on an artist date?

Julia Cameron recommends one artist date a week, two a week if a creative project is especially taxing! (Excuse my French, but holy—actual—crap.)

[Tap to read why writers struggle with artist dates (besides the obvious reasons…)]

In addition to taking time for an artist date, writers must use precious creative brain cells to come up with 52 dates a year?

[Not that you can’t rotate between three solid artist dates, if that floats your boat, but we all need to start somewhere. And as any writer will tell you, we hate the blank page of … blank, blankness *cue horror music* 😳]

That’s where this guide comes in.

If you’re looking for an answer to the question, “What the crap am I going to do this week?” I wrote this guide for you.

You’re welcome. 😌

Use these artist dates to reconnect with your childlike self, ground yourself in the present, and refill your creative well.

Your creativity is important.

Your art is important.

You are important.

Now go out, and go do.

Get the 52 artist date (wholesome edition) freebie! 👇🏻

Discussion 💬

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