Are you a solo dater too?

On Artist’s Dates and dedicating time to nurture your creativity

I’ve been busy recording podcast interviews again after a pretty long break. One of the guests I chatted to, talked about The Artist’s Way - a book by Julia Cameron, on cultivating a creative practice. It’s a book I first picked up in 2020 - when some of us had a little more time on our hands. It’s probably one of those books that everyone would get something out of.

One of the key components of the 12 week ‘programme’ are the Artist's Dates. To put it simply, it’s about carving out time for experiences that inspire you. This can range from a trip to a gallery, a walk in nature, a workshop or talk, or simply reading a book. Anything that’s going to ignite that creative spark.

The word ‘artist’ can be a tricky one, so I like to use it loosely. But the idea itself is applicable to pretty much all humans - especially anyone interested in exploring their creativity. If the word artist doesn’t sit well with you, find a word that works for you

Julia Cameron writes:

“Art is an image-using system. In order to create, we draw from our inner well. (…) As artists, we must realise that we have to maintain this artistic ecosystem. If we don't give some attention to upkeep, our well is apt to become depleted, stagnant, or blocked.”

I have to admit - solo dates are not something I’d normally dedicate a lot of time to, not intentionally anyway. But I’m becoming more and more conscious of carving out time for myself. To allow myself to feed that creativity. Our busy lives make little room for this. We’re always on the move, always striving for more, faster. It feels indulgent, or at least, that’s the rhetoric we’ve been exposed to. Creativity for creativity’s sake can be a difficult concept to embrace.

For me, though - these solo dates, whether in company of other people at, say, workshops, or true solo adventures, give me a chance to press pause in my week. To be more present. They give me a chance to decide exactly what I fancy doing, too. And that, in itself, is a skill I want to keep working on. Being able to dedicate time to the things we enjoy the most - isn’t that what the simple pleasures of life are all about?

It doesn't need to be fancy, either. Maybe you live somewhere far away from art galleries, or perhaps your care-giving responsibilities don’t always allow you to just take an evening for yourself. Anything that sparks our creativity works, and who best to know what fills you with wonder, than you.

I see it in movies - the ones that linger and stay with me longer than expected. I see it in articles and short stories I read in magazines - the ones that bring a tear to my eye. I see it in photo books and the stories that one single image is capable of telling. I see it in conversations I have with other creatives - the ones that spark a train of thought I get lost in.

What ignites your spark? What replenishes your creativity? How can you bring a little wonder into your week?

Some Artist’s Dates ideas (although the list is endless!):

• trip to an art gallery

• cinema trip

• photography walk - any camera will do!

• comedy night

• getting cosy and watching a movie at home (I really recommend MUBI for this!)

• browsing a second hand book or vinyl shop

• creating a vision board

• visiting a museum

• taking yourself out for lunch or dinner

• reading a book in your favourite coffee shop

This evening, I’m heading to a local independent cinema. I first went on a solo cinema trip a couple of months ago, and I loved it. There's something special about being really immersed in the experience, without distractions. It’s also pretty handy when it’s hard to arrange childcare for a cinema date with your partner or friend. Solo adventures mean you don’t have to miss out, and if you’ve never done anything like this before - trust me, it’s not as difficult as you think it might be!

I’d love to hear from you - has this sparked any ideas for a solo date?

Until next time,

Anna x

Things coming up:

• My podcast, Business in Bloom, is back! The first episode went live last Wednesday, and we have an interview episode going live tomorrow - and I'd love for you to let me know what you think! You can listen here:

• I’ll be running a vision board workshop inside The Spark Crew membership tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd February. If you fancy joining us, you can join The Spark Crew on a 7 day trial, or if you're ready to join - we’d love to see you inside the community!

Become a member — The Spark Crew

• I have spaces for 1:1 coaching clients - if you’re a business owner, or someone thinking about the idea of running a business, in need of some gentle encouragement, and a space to explore it all - I’d love to help. One off sessions and 3 monthly coaching packages available. Read more here: https://www.annadunleavy.com/work-with-me

Things I loved this week:

• Short story: Spring Fever - a short story by Georgina Moore in The Simple Things magazine

• Book: Dream Work by Mary Oliver - a collection of 45 poems, and a lucky find at the library. I particularly enjoyed ‘Members of the tribe’. I haven’t been to a library for years really, and I loved how nostalgic it felt to borrow a book. I used to borrow books from a local library when I was a kid, and it still evokes the same feeling - one I struggle to put into words

• Article: We sail through our youth by Mackenzie Carose

we sail through our youth

• Music: Lianne La Havas - No room for doubt ft. Willy Mason - I’ve had a soft spot for this song ever since hearing it for the first time. Speaking of Willy Mason, I really love his experimental track called ‘Off Book’, too.

• Book: The Mindful Photographer by Sophie Howarth - it’s a quick read and a book I secretly wish I could have written! Ever since picking up film photography, I’ve noticed big parallels between photography and mindfulness. The act of taking a photograph can be a mindful practice, and I loved discovering new artists’ work, as well as the Buddhist teaching influence sprinkled throughout. And if you’re curious about mindfulness as a whole - this article gives a brief history of mindfulness as a practice, along with its journey to the Western world.