Experiencing “The Artist’s Way” with the Support of The Co-Co Community
Determined not to fritter away the “found time” during COVID, I took a half dozen or so courses – becoming a certified practitioner of the MBTI (Myers-Briggs), learning to be a mastermind group facilitator, completing the Mind Valley “Life Book” and so on – all related to further building my skill set as a coach as well as deepening my own self-awareness. During that time, I was hearing again and again about Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way,” a book first published in 1992, as a 12-week guided course to re-sparking creativity. I had such a yearning to do this! For me! For that little girl I once was who loved “making things.” And for the 51-year old woman, who had spent decades “in her head” analyzing, directing, implementing and being oh-so structured and practical – and who is forever doodling and has an infatuation with colors, fabrics, threads, papers and Sharpie markers.
I had the welcoming and impactful experiences as a member of The Co-Co’s Coaches Cohort last year and then as a participant in the first peer mentorship group for Launch Entrepreneurs this spring and summer. The value of those interactions sparked the urge to have the support of the Co-Co community in this creative journey. While I am a self-starter and very much of an independent student, my gut told me that this adventure -- likely to be more of a spiritual meander than an academic education --would be far richer in the company of the curious and collaborative women of The Co-Co.
I suggested the idea to Suzanne Willian, and she did her magic (as she so often does!). We soon had two dozen members enrolled in the program, each of whom were hopeful and eager to feed her long-starved artist within.
During the course, I created unique needlepoint canvases and drew colorful mandala circles, laced with motivational and guiding words. I am tickled with my creations! They have brought more leaps of childlike delight and feelings of true pride in myself than many of my “successful achievements” in the corporate world.
The greatest reward, however, quite a surprise and delight, came from the formation of my personal Affirmation. One of the first assignments set forth by Julia was to officially give myself permission to be an artist. Each morning, I reflected upon my personalized affirmation. It read, in part:
I am allowed to spend extended time supporting, nurturing and exploring my creativity, including pondering intriguing ideas, following whims, looking at colors, fabrics, shapes and papers, making doodles, cutting shapes, sewing, creating needlework, playing with words and quotes, designing stationery, thinking of theme party ideas, decorating a room, looking at stickers, writing notes to loved ones or acquaintances, painting, learning pottery, etc.
Investing extended time, energy, focus and even money into my creativity is valuable, positive, healthy and admirable. It is not a “waste” and it is not inappropriate because it is non-productive. Time need not be spent “working” (communicating with clients, learning coaching techniques in classes or reading books on coaching-related subjects, doing household tasks, shopping, etc.) to be acceptable. It is not necessary to be “producing” or accomplishing tasks to be worthy. Just being present makes me worthy. Time spent in creative energy, even if “nothing” is “produced,” is worthwhile. Its supporting of my values – of being fully present in the moment, enjoying the Now, self-care, contentment, connection and self-growth – makes time spent this way a worthy end in and of itself.
Like a good school girl, I had permission. But this time, I signed my own permission slip! The busy beaver had a self-given hall pass. She was no longer Ferris Bueller’s disgruntled sister. She was liberated!
As a coach, my role is to be a thinking partner and help my clients examine their values, carefully discerning the “shoulds” and the long-held and often automatic habits from the true wants and conscious, intentional actions. Along this vein, Julie’s assertion, “What gives me true joy that is my luxury” struck a deep chord. On what am I spending heavily – in dollars and emotional energy – that I value little, if at all? And what “luxuries” that bring me true joy do I deny myself, even if they are relatively inexpensive in the larger scope of things?
Along these lines, the numerous thought-provoking (as well as heart-and-gut-provoking!) exercises in the book raised countless questions for me to consider, as to my ideal life, what truly makes my heart leap and what may be getting in the way. And then the “mandatory” Morning Pages (three pages of long-hand written journaling each morning upon waking) served as a field on which to play with many of those thoughts and feelings, working them, sometimes slowly, into a series of mini epiphanies.
The Co-Co group held a safe space for me to share a number of my personal insights. A place where, true to its core values, everyone shares and everyone listens, I had many curious and nonjudgmental sets of eyes and ears. Knowing that many in the group would carefully read my emails during our weekly group check-ins and that everyone would listen attentively during our Zoom gatherings, I was motivated to further clarify my insights to be able to thoughtfully articulate and share them with the group.
I loved the course and Julia’s book. But due to the inspiring support of The Co-Co, I may need to beg to differ with just one of Julia’s quotes from the book. In chapter one of “The Artist’s Way”, she says, “It’s impossible to get better and look good at the same time.” Well, the group, in its warmth and cheering, made me feel that I was actually looking pretty good. And I know I was getting better.
Thank you to Co-Co Member Wendy Schult of Keys to Authenticity LLC for writing this reflection!