'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron - Book Impressions - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Book Impressions:

I decided to read this book and complete the 12-week programme, based on the reviews left by other people.   I am also a big fan of journaling, never quite knowing what to write, and was aware that this would be part of the commitment (Morning Pages).  It interested me, so I was keen to give the Morning Pages a go. 

This is more than just a book to read - it is a course.  ‘Way’ implies, to me, a journey of some description - like, say, the Pennine Way - or some other long-distance walking trail. The Artist’s Way is a journey to unlock your creative potential.

To get the most out of the book, I think you need to commit to the programme. I don’t think just reading the book will give you the depth you gain by immersing yourself in it and completing the structured programme.

Julia introduces three main tools in the book - Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and Reflections. 

Morning Pages are recommended to be three pages (A4) of daily, free-form writing intended to clear the mind and encourage creativity.  They should be done first thing in the morning. 

 Artist Dates are weekly, solo adventures of about 2 hours, to nurture your soul and inspire creative ideas. 

Self-reflective questions are completed at the end of each chapter.  Julia advises that you don’t have to do them all during the 12 weeks, but that you can come back to them later. 

Some book reviewers had reported that they were put off by Julia’s reference to ‘God’ throughout the text.  It helped me to know this.  Julia herself writes in the book that this word can be substituted for other preferred labels.  So, don’t let that put you off.

I did find some of the language a bit flowery at times - and had difficulty deciphering exactly what was being said - but it was enough that I got the general gist.  I would have liked it to be more plainly stated, but I accept that it is just Julia’s style of writing.

The book is really inviting, encouraging, and supportive in guiding you on the journey. Constantly coaxing you to open up to what is blocking your creative energy or keeping you ‘stuck’ in your life.   I found the book uplifting, energizing, and inspirational.

The book is full of hidden gems, words of wisdom, and inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout.

"The Artist’s Way" is an empowering and inspiring book.   It would suit anyone who feels blocked/stuck creatively or just in life in general.  The tools (Morning Pages, Artists Dates, and self-reflection questions) can be used long after the course has been completed (I still use Morning Pages and Artists Dates).  So if you feel ‘stuck’, creatively blocked, you enjoy personal development, journaling,  and soul searching through reflection, then this would be a good book for you. 

I plan to do another of Julia’s courses once I have consolidated what I learned in this course.  My next journey will be: ‘The Artist’s Way for Retirement’ 🥰

10 of my Favourite Takeaways:

1. Every time you hear your inner critic blurting out negativity, write the negativity down and try to track its source, which will be either internal (you) or external (mum, dad, teacher, authority figure).  Counter it by turning the negative blurt into a positive affirmation.

2. The quality of your life is based on your ability to take delight in that which surrounds you.  This comes from being present in your own life and noticing.

3. In moments of pain, stay in the present moment.  It is in this moment that you will find that you are OK, you still breathe in and out, things are bearable, and there is still beauty around you.  Try not to think of the past or worry about the future. It is enough to be in the present.

4. Don’t ignore your anger.  It is useful to you.  It will show you where your boundaries are.  It tells you the things you must action.  Anger will invite you in and point you in the direction you need to go. It will allow you to grow if you listen to it.

5. When you have the inkling to follow your dream, just start to take action.  The magic lies in your actions. A series of unplanned events will start to unfold (serendipity) - chance happenings that you could never have planned or imagined.  Doors will open for you.

6. A negative, nitpicking, perfectionist's vicious criticism will only serve to silence you rather than nurture you.  You have to be careful who you listen to and choose the appropriate time to seek out this criticism.

7. Useful criticism will leave you with a positive feeling of “Ah, hah!! So that’s the missing piece”.  It energizes you and guides you to the next step.”

8. Useless criticism leaves you with a feeling of being bludgeoned, belittled, and shamed.  It may be ambiguous, personal, inaccurate, or blanket in its condemnation. There is often nothing useful to be taken from it. Treat it as such.

9. One way to deal with criticism is to jot down notes on any of the issues raised and see if something useful comes up that you would like to action.

10. Growth is a trajectory of moving forward slowly.  Some days the growth will be quicker than on other days.  Some Days there will be no growth - so treat these neutral days as your rest days, knowing that it is ok.

My 10 Favourite Quotes:

1. “Anyone who faithfully writes morning pages will be led to a connection with a source of wisdom within.”

2. “Most of the time, when we are blocked in an area of our life, it is because we feel safer that way.” (p. 30)

3. “These attacks can come from either internal or external sources.  We can neutralize them once we recognize them as a sort of creative virus.  Affirmations are a powerful antidote for self-hate, which commonly appears under the mask of self-doubt.” (p.42)

4. “The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight.  The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.”  (p.54)

5. “In times of pain, when the future is too terrifying to contemplate and the past too painful to remember, I have learned to pay attention to right now.  The precise moment I was in was always the only safe place for me.  Each moment, taken alone, was always bearable.  In the exact now, we are all, always alright.” (p.55)

6. “Anger shows us where our boundaries are.  Anger shows us where we want to go.” (p.62)

7. ‘Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open.” (p.67)

8. ‘The criticism that damages is that which disparages, dismisses, ridicules, or condemns.  It is frequently vicious but vague and difficult to refute.’ (p.70)

9. ‘It is important to be able to sort useful criticism from the other kind.’ (p.72)

10. ‘Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. ….. This is normal. Growth occurs in spurts.  You will lie dormant sometimes.  Do not be discouraged.  Think of it as resting.’ (p.75)

If you plan to make a change in your life after reading this review or the book, please let me know what you did. I would love to hear from you. 💕

If you enjoyed this, you may enjoy my other book impressions.

Other related posts you may enjoy:

The Unthethered Soul by Michael A Singer

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

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