Have you reached a point of burnout or mental and emotional exhaustion where you’ve completely lost your creative spark? The creative juices just aren’t flowing like they used to. If so, it’s time to talk about something wildly important for your creative life, and wildly overlooked by, well… most of us: the artist date. It’s not fluff. It’s not indulgent, and it’s not “when you have time.” The artist date is essential.
Whether you’re a painter, a writer, a dancer, a photographer, or someone just trying to feel alive again—the artist date is a creative power move that can unblock inspiration, rekindle joy, and remind you who you are when the world’s noise gets too loud.
So, What Is an Artist Date?
Author of The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron, coined the term “artist date,” which is a weekly solo expedition—a date with your inner artist. It’s a time to woo your creative self, to play, to explore, and to fill the well so you’re not creating from a dry, cracked riverbed of burnout.
And here’s the key: It must be solo. You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a. your creative child. This is about nurturing your creative spirit. No friends, partners, or podcasts with someone else’s thoughts and opinions playing in your ear the whole time. Just you, your curiosity, and your willingness to say yes to wonder.
A Step-by-Step for Taking Yourself on an Artist Date
1. Commit to It Like a Real Date
You have to make your artist date a priority. If you wouldn’t flake on a coffee with a friend or a dinner with someone you love, don’t flake on this. Pick a day and time, and put it in your calendar. Guard it like a dragon guards treasure. Defend this time against interlopers at all costs. You’re not being selfish—you’re being a good creative steward.
Pro tip: Even one hour is enough.
2. Choose Something That Sparks Curiosity
Here’s the fun part. This is not about being productive. It’s about delight, mystery, play, and exploration. Think small, weird, simple, or unexpected.
Some ideas for an artist date:
- Visit a used bookstore and pick the strangest title you can find.
- Take yourself to a hardware store and explore like it’s an art museum.
- Sit in a park and sketch squirrels, clouds, feelings, or whatever comes to mind.
- Go to a grocery store and buy a fruit you’ve never eaten before.
- Visit a new art gallery at a local museum.
- Go to a new coffee shop and people watch.
- Take a walk in nature. Perhaps, try a path you’ve never taken before.
- Make a collage with old magazines and glue sticks.
- Take yourself to a silent movie or a vintage arcade.
This isn’t about “being an artist.” It’s about feeding the artist within.
3. Leave Expectations at the Door
This is not a to-do list item or a hustle move. No “I better get an idea out of this” pressure. Your only job is to show up—curious, open, and receptive. That’s it. Sometimes, you’ll come home buzzing with ideas. Other times, it might just feel nice. That’s still a win.
4. Be Present With Yourself
Put your phone away unless you’re using it to take photos or notes intentionally. Avoid distractions. This is about engaging your senses—seeing, hearing, touching, even smelling things you’d usually rush past. You’re not escaping your life—you’re enriching it.
5. Reflect Without Judging
Afterward, take a few minutes to jot down how you felt. Not a formal journal entry. Just a few notes:
- What surprised you?
- What delighted you?
- What did you learn about yourself?
- What did your inner artist whisper, now that you gave it the mic?
This helps you build trust with yourself, and track what kind of dates truly energize you.
Why It Matters
Admittedly, your first artist date might feel silly at first. Allow it to. The truth is you are doing something unconventional that the average person doesn’t take time to do—feeding your inner artist. Remember: creativity isn’t just about output. It’s about input. Most of us are running on empty, trying to produce when we haven’t played in ages.
Artist Dates:
- Reignite your imagination.
- Give you unexpected ideas.
- Help you feel more alive and less stuck.
- Remind you that you are worth showing up for.
And that’s the magic, isn’t it? When you nurture your creative self—your inner artist—it spills over into your work, relationships, confidence, and everything else.
Your Assignment This Week
Now here’s the challenge for you: Plan an artist date this week. Yes, you read that right.
- Pick a time within the next seven days. Commit to it. Write it on your calendar. No excuses.
- Choose something playful, strange, or delightful.
- Go solo. Be present. Let yourself enjoy it.
Report back even if it’s just to yourself. You’re doing more than going on a little outing—you’re telling your creative self, “Hey, I see you. You matter. Let’s make some magic.” Now get out there. Your inner artist is waiting.
