(to an "Artist Date")*

  • Hang out at a local coffee shop and watch the people come and go
  • Go to a book store (or library) and browse
  • Go to an art gallery
  • Cook something special, just for you
  • Exercise at the gym
  • Stroll through an aquarium or pet storeA fish
  • Go for a walk
  • Start a new crochet or knitting project
  • Get outside and play "Fetch" with the dog
  • Bounce a basketball
  • If you can find one, play with a "Slinky"
  • Grab a Yo-Yo and play with that
  • Or how about a Hoola-Hoop - are you old enough to remember them?
  • Write a poem or short storyA pen and paper
  • Go to an art supply or craft store and drool over all the cool stuff
  • If you got something at that craft store (and how could you resist?), play with it - be a kid again!
  • Buy some flowers for yourself
  • Watch a movie you've always wanted to see
  • Take a quickie class on some subject you've always wondered about (do you have a Community Education program in your city?)
  • Take a nice long soak in the tub
  • Sleep late
  • Read a book
  • Go bowling
  • Go bird watchingA bird flying
  • Paint with your fingers and toes
  • Go to a health spa and let them pamper you
  • Get a massage
  • Get your hair done
  • Get a manicure
  • Get a pedicure
  • Hug and snuggle and talk to your petA cat's paw
  • Go to the petting zoo and play with all the animals
  • Go for a walk and collect a few interesting leaves or rocks
  • Press some flowers or leaves that you found
  • Go to a live concert
  • Spend a little time in your gardenA dragonfly flying
  • Go to a junk store
  • Go to a yard sale
  • Take a long drive in the country
  • Go to a flea market
  • Bake cookies
  • Color in a coloring bookA painter's palette
  • Paint by numbers
  • Play-Dough
  • Soap Bubbles
  • Walk barefoot in the park
  • Run through the sprinklers
  • Stop to smell the rosesA sign that says STOP
  • Swing on a swing in the park
  • See new places - go exploring by foot, car, bus, train or plane
  • Take a camera with you and snap pictures of things that catch your eye
  • Take a long hot (or cold!) shower
  • Go swimming
  • Listen to your favorite musicA music symbol
  • Drink some fresh-brewed coffee or tea
  • Do some one-minute sketches
  • Light some candles and watch their flames
  • Create a wonderful scent in your home with candles, incense, potpouri, oil - or hey did you ever bake those cookies? Yum, yum, double the fun.
  • Dance alone at home or outside under the moonlight
  • Dine out, especially at some place new and different from where you usually go
  • Do a jigsaw or crossword puzzleA couple pieces of a puzzle
  • Buy something fun and foolish at the $1 store
  • Take up yoga or tai chi
  • Make angels in the snow or sand
  • Sit outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of natureA squirrel eating a nut
  • Hold your belly and laugh out loud
  • Make faces at yourself in the mirror
  • Sing in the shower
  • Light a candle and meditate or pray
WHEW! There's GOT to be something in this list that you would enjoy doing without too much fuss. Try it!

...and if you have something fun to add to this list please send an email to:

ArtistDates@TMarchek.com


Now go, treat your "self", and have fun!

* In her book " The Artist's Way " Julia Cameron stresses the importance of doing two things for yourself:

1. MORNING PAGES - every morning upon waking up, write 3 pages non-stop of anything that comes to mind.

I've been doing the Morning Pages for several years now. (My journaling would more aptly be called "Noon Pages" since I work way late at night and don't usually get up till noon!) When I first started doing them it seemed like a real drag and I didn't feel I had the time for them. But over the years I've seen over and over again how powerful they are to my peace of mind, energy level, and productivity.

2. ARTIST DATES - at least once a week do something fun, just for yourself, by yourself.

The Artist Dates are a way of saying to yourself "I'm special and I deserve to have fun"! They have a way of loosening you up and re-connecting with the creative child within you. Above are some ideas you can try for yourself. Use them as a springboard for your own imagination!

Home | AboutTM | AboutPortraits | CatPortraits | DogPortraits | PeoplePortraits
OtherArt | Blank Cards | Sentiment Cards | Seasonal Cards | BookMarkers | Prints
Books | HowToOrder | FreeStuff | TreatYourself | GuestBook