Do you somewhere deep inside think you have an artist living within you? Maybe you dream about writing a book, acting in a play, painting landscapes or directing a film. It’s not unheard of to crack the code and unlock your inner artist… at any age. We hear examples all of the time. Ever heard of the book The Artist’s Way? It just so happens to be one of the 100 best selling self-help books of all time and is said to guide those who seek an “artistic creative recovery”.

Oddly enough, I discovered the book over ten years ago acknowledging to myself as I purchased it that I was not living an artistic life. As a child, I excelled at the arts; loving to draw, act, cook, entertain and write. I flourished with a living sense of wonder inside; looking to express myself and my interests. The creativity living within oneself is the most unique form of self-expression; only you can do you in whatever way you imagine or invent.

Fast forward years later into the responsibility of adulthood and I found myself working behind a desk. I only felt valued for my organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and an amiable attitude in the workplace. Where did my creative expression go? Is this who I am? Is this all I am meant for? Questions haunted me day in and day out. I found myself reading my drafted work emails over and over because it was my only opportunity to write… I knew something was missing from my life.

I want to tell you something interesting, The Artist’s Way exposed my vulnerable inner artist within the first few chapters. So much so, that I aborted ship at chapter 3. Years passed before I had the courage to pull it out among the other books in my book cabinet. I tackled it again. I don’t know if this was a strange coincidence or some bizarre artistic block at play, but I started over and again, could only get to chapter 3! I gave up. I put the book away, this time I felt ashamed at not finishing it for the second time. I told myself, “Someday…” and stuffed it in my coffee table, so as to not see it staring back at me in my book cabinet.

Add on quite a few more years and factor in a hopeful New Year’s Day; a day popularly known for grandiose resolutions at play. I was on a plane riding back from the east coast. Knowing I had the long flight back to California, I packed The Artist’s Way in my bag. I started it and now as I write this blog post, I am on chapter 10. There are a total of 12 chapters, 12 weeks of “recovery”, one chapter a week. I only have 2 chapters to go and it’s full steam ahead!

Why is The Artist’s Way so difficult? It’s just a 12 chapter book! I can hear you asking me now. The Artist’s Way asks a lot of you and it asks a lot of a shy, vulnerable, and scared artist living within you. What is called “Morning Pages” is a writing exercise of three pages of free-flowing thought every day throughout the 12 weeks. There are homework assignments or tasks at each chapter’s end, which includes taking yourself on uninterrupted “artist’s dates” and tackling assignments that feel anything from fun to even scary, sometimes downright silly. You may ask yourself, “Why do I have to do this, this is ridiculous.” Other times, you will notice a strong resistance. Pay attention to those blocks.

I highly recommend trying The Artist’s Way to stretch the creative muscles that haven’t been worked in quite possibly many, many years. You don’t have to want to make a living from being an artist, or maybe you do. It’s for both parties. The Artist’s Way is about unlocking, un-shaming, uncovering and breaking down the walls we have put around our creative selves. Shifts occur within and around you. I already have experienced major shifts in my life, but feel more confident than ever to take it head-on. On a deeper note, why not open yourself up to the creativity you once freely expressed as a child? I think it’s a shame that schools seem to stop artistic programs once we hit puberty. Sure, you can take “electives”, but they are not nearly as encouraged as math and science curriculums. As an adult and a “recovering artist”, elect to read The Artist’s Way. In my mind, recovering your inner artist is just as cathartic, therapeutic and healing as food, staying physically active and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. 

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