In times of upheaval, I lean on touchstones–works of art that have shaped me and the continue to be sources of inspiration, influence, and solace. It might be rereading a favorite novel, a cherished poem, a movie, or (especially often) a favorite album with a good pair of headphones.
Julia Cameron’s classic book for unblocking your creative practice, The Artist’s Way, is classic for a reason. It’s well-structured to help you recover creativity and build towards a more creative life.
I personally finished working through her 12-week set of challenges around 20 years ago right now; it was a vital step on my own creative journey, and one I refer back to often. While I don’t often do Morning Pages, I do think that my daily writing practice is an outgrowth of the daily writing she inspired me to do with her book. And Artist Dates, her habit of finding time each week to feed your inner artist, has been a constant motivation for finding such time in my own life.
Most of all, I think of a quote from the book – one she asked you to write out and post somewhere. My own version, made two decades ago, is still hanging where I can see it every day.
Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong.
There is much to recommend in this book, and I often do recommend it for people on a creative journey. The sway its messages have had on my own life are why The Artist’s Way is a personal touchstone for me.
Touchstones is an ongoing series of posts I’ll be writing during the COVID-19 season, reflecting on the works of art that support me in times of upheaval. I encourage you to make a list of your own “touchstones” and if you like, share them with me to publish here.