An artist date is a weekly solo expedition meant to nurture your inner artist (or “Tiny Writer“) and refill your creative well.

Created by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way, an artist date need not be expensive or extravagant. 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? Take her there. Show her that. Do it with her.

Tadaaa: Artist Date.

An artist date sounds simple. Pleasurable, even. And yet, writers—can’t—seem—to make themselves—go on one. They spout excuses, point accusingly at their stuffed calendars, and squeak, “I’m supposed to do this every week?!”

In this blog post, we’re going to dive into a writer’s psyche and:

1. Identify the mindblocks that prevent a writer from going on an artist date
2. Break down those barriers, freeing writers to refill, refuel, and nurture their creative little artistic selves. (So cute. 🥰)

So, why is it so hard for a writer to go on an artist date?

Spoiler: it’s not that we don’t have enough time. (We all know you have time for PLAH, because you prioritize PLAH.)

[Definition. PLAH: (noun) The thing you do that could be substituted with the thing you say you want to do]

Hold onto your typewriter, Cupcake. Here’s the harsh truth.

Writers are masters of avoidance when it comes to their own joy.

An Artist date is supposed to be a playful little adventure for your inner creative self.

Dare I say, artist dates are even supposed to be FUN—a core practice in your creative self-care.

But for a writer? That can feel like:

Cheating on the work. (“If I have time for a date, I should be writing!”)

A waste of time. (“What does dressing like Ellen DeGeneres or collecting pet rocks have to do with finishing my novel?”)

Pressure to be productive. (“If I watch the fifty-third Shrek movie, I should learn something.”)

Weirdly vulnerable … (“If I sit in a coffee shop with nothing but a cup of coffee and my imagination, are people going to think I’m a psychopath?”)

Plus, writers are often trapped in their heads—so the idea of getting out of their head and into the world just to explore and delight in something can feel … foreign. Risky. Silly.

But—that’s kind of the point. 💁🏻‍♀️

The same way you have to force yourself to work out, you may need to force yourself to go on an artist date  😬

You may need to force yourself to have fun. Writer, did you hear that?

This is where the word “nurture” in nurture your creativity comes in. It means doing the thing you may not want to do, but doing it because you know it’s good for you, because it will sustain you. Because you said you would, because it’s healthy and rewarding.

Not sure where to start? Here are seven artist date ideas that are sure to thrill your Tiny Writer:

1. Browse the weirdest aisle of the craft store, touch EVERYTHING—buy nothing.
2. Go to a museum and narrate it in your character’s voice. (Bonus points for turning this artist date into an Instagram reel. PLEASEEEE tag me @rebekah.ackerman.writes. I’m drooling to see it.)
3. Take yourself on a solo coffee date—no productivity allowed! Only coloring pages, cozy video games, and constant dialogue with your Tiny Writer. How’s she doing? What’s she feeling? That couple in the corner over there, siblings or lovers? Place bets.
4. Go rock hunting (literally)
5. Sit on a park bench and eavesdrop (politely) for dialogue ✨gold✨
6. Bring a notebook to the zoo and write a love poem about the ugliest creature you can find
7. Watch a ridiculous rom-com then change the ending in your notes app. (What if they k*lled each other? Or one was an alien? Or discover a hidden portal to an uncharted land where the people are made of giant, rainbow-sprinkled donuts??)

Now stop stalling and get that sweet writer tushie of yours on an artist date!

See where it goes. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have you been on an artist date? What did you do? How did it feel? Did you find it hard to make the time?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!