The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way

by Julia Cameron

I went to my mom’s place in Florida a few weeks ago, and sitting on her slanted antique desk between the dining room table and the kitchen was a book titled The Artist’s Way. I looked over at Vanessa and asked, “Did you bring this?” She had recommended it to me awhile ago, and I’d never hit purchase.

“No,” she said. “Must be Amanda’s…but it is an inspiring book.”

I picked it up, sat down, and opened it. I asked Vanessa what she liked about it…why she had recommended it. She said, “Especially for you, as someone who likes to write… every day they tell you to write three pages of whatever comes to mind. A mind dump. It doesn’t have to be profound…just write. No one will ever see it.”

I was intrigued. I ordered the book.

It isn’t one of those books you devour in 24 hours. I’ve been reading about ten pages a day, and I’ve started doing the morning pages. It feels like part workbook, part guide, part artistic reset. I picked it up out of curiosity, but something about writing each morning with no structure, no edits, zero expectations…just me, my favorite pen, and whatever is swirling in my head…felt inspiring. I thought…I can do this.

Three pages did feel like a lot. And I’ve started journals before only to abandon them quickly; they always felt pointless. But this… this seems to quiet the noise. Hidden ideas come to life. These random words I write somehow unclutter my mind.

Do you wake up and immediately find that your thoughts are at full tilt? Your punch list a mile long before you’ve even brushed your teeth? Worries creeping in…what you forgot yesterday, what you must do before the end of the day?

You need to sit down and write what’s in there. Get it out. Write down your fears, your ambitions, what excites you, what confuses you, what you love.

I’ve only been doing this for a week…not long…but I’ve noticed that when my mind isn’t ruminating over junk data, unexpected ideas show up. I’ve gotten a couple of solutions to problems. It has started to feel like…sounds cheesy…but that this...this little exercise...is where the magic begins.

I think of morning pages...exactly as Vanessa described it...a mind dump. The words don’t have to be poetic. They can be messy, repetitive, ordinary.

Just write.

Here’s what I wrote this morning…not three pages, but still writing:

I feel tired. How is it possible to sleep and yet wake up tired?  What time did I end up going to bed? I think 9:30, so that means I got roughly eight hours… should be good. My coffee is delicious. I wonder if coffee actually wakes me up or if I have formed a lifelong pact with beans.  I should probably start the day with water.  Water apparently solves everything. Water isn’t as good as coffee.  I don’t want to wake up Ginger… maybe I’ll move my vibrational plate to the bathroom and shut the door. I can’t shut the door…the boys will get upset. Does this even do anything…I guess on a cellular level.  Makes me laugh.  I’ll do it anyway.  I should check my work calendar and see what meetings I have today. Maybe the Friday lunch meeting can get pushed out. I should talk to Lance about his presentation next week and tell him to intentionally pause so I can read any questions that come in. Ugh, I need to pick up my prescription… I need to see what time CVS opens on Saturday. I need to refill my pills.  I’m looking forward to going to Folly Beach this weekend. Wonder what to pack. Wonder if I have time to take the Barre class before we leave… don’t think so. Maybe Ginger and I will walk tonight. I always feel better after I walk. I hope she won’t mind prepping everything to take to the pool after work so we can grill before it gets too dark. I should do a blog post. I’m excited to spend the winter season in South Carolina. I wonder if we’ll get any snow. I’ve got to get moving. I should shower.

See? Not a single profound or meaningful line. But I cleared my mental clutter. I reminded myself of small tasks. I got my brain moving. That is the value.

No big rules except write by hand, aim for three full pages, no edits, don’t reread it, and whatever you do…don’t try to sound wise.

Just show up.

Let the pages hold whatever you’re carrying.

It might surprise you.

And although I haven’t even finished the book yet, I’ve already gotten so much from it. I’ll definitely do a part two once I turn the last page. 

I dare you to try it...just for a week.