You wouldn't think that it would be so difficult to commit to something that is supposed to be fun and inspiring but for me, like for so many others, it's so ingrained that I can't play until I've finished my work. And when is all the work ever done?
I need to get better about this and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Not just because, well, having fun! But also because playing is energizing, increases intelligence, is inspiring, is healthy, and, it brings joy to our life.
The idea of a habit of weekly Artist Dates is to make time for yourself at least once a week, to do something on your own, something that makes you happy, something that expands your world or that nourishes you.
So what better way to start than to put together a list of things I would enjoy doing on my artist dates. Please steal any you like and share your ideas for these self love dates!
1 Go for a walk with my camera.
2 Give myself a few hours unplugged from everything to just read a book.
3 Go to the movies.
4 Go to a museum with my sketchbook.
5 Garden.
6 Take myself our for a manicure and pedicure, a massage, and or a new hair cut.
7 Lay in the grass and watch the clouds.
8 Study great artists.
9 Try a new recipe.
10 Spend time browsing around Pinterest and create inspiration boards for recipes, projects, fashion, home decorating... anything that is joyful to me!
11 Take a cooking class.
12 Try something new: a new restaurant, a food I've never eaten, a class in something I know nothing about.
13 Yoga.
14 Plan a trip.
15 Write a letter to the person you plan to be in ten years.
16 Write a letter to your parents. Tell them what you are grateful to them for. Send it.
17 Start a 30 day project, like taking a self-portrait everyday for a month (maybe playing dress up for them) or writing down something I am grateful for every day.
18 Go to antique and junk shops..
19 Make a list of my best qualities.
20 Make a list of people I admire and why.
21 Make a playlist of songs that inspire me and then hang out listening to it all, maybe with some singing and dancing thrown in.
22 Go to a farmers market.
23 Create a vision board of my biggest dreams.
24 Make a bucket list.
25 Organize my house and donate what I no longer use or love.
26 Blare my favorite music while baking something delicious.
27 Walk the historical part of your town and make architectural sketches.
28 Collect fall leaves.
29 Watch a documentary.
30 Color in an adult coloring book.
31 Explore an old graveyard.
32 Play tourist in my own town.
33 Go to a cafe and read, write or sketch.
34 Carve out an hour and write notes, letters and cards to those you love. Mail them.
35 Spend time making lists of perfect presents for those you love.
36 Wine and dine myself.
37 Spend an afternoon working on that loose idea I have for a book.
38 Visit a church, temple, mosque or synagogue of a religion I don't follow. Try to understand more about and respect their beliefs and customs.
39 Try something outside of my comfort zone.
40 Make a gift basket for someone I care about for no reason at all and surprise them with it.
41 Try meditation (check out http://www.fragrantheart.com for free audio guided meditations)
