The Artist's Way (Week Three)

[toricopies]

The Artist's Way: Detective Work, An Exercise

1. My favorite childhood toy was...I obviously remember my baby doll (who I still have). I don't think I played pretend with her too much, from what I recall. I really like Polly Pockets—the one with the water slide and the heart-shaped one (look on Instagram for recreations). I should ask my mom if she knows of any other childhood toy.

2. My favorite childhood game was...I loved playing Sorry! with my grandma. I also loved playing Yahtzee with her. And Obsession!! I couldn't remember the name at first but then it came back to me. We also played fun kiddy games like Hungry, Hungy Hippos and Don't Break the Ice and Ants in Your Pants. Great times. Mancala was great when played at daycare. I liked it so much, I believe we got a board for at home, too.

3. The best movie I ever saw as a kid was...I remember loving Hercules. I still have that notebook from the one daycare sleepover party. I need to check it out and see what I listed. All the other girls pretty much put Austin Power's, but I was younger, so wasn't really into it then. I liked the Rugrats movie a lot, too. I'm realizing now that so many of those Disney movies I loved and watched growing up were super old! I loved those Disney films that actually came out while I was alive: Aladdin, The Lion King, Toy Story, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tarzan...

4. I don't do it much but I enjoy...creating written stories.

5. If I could lighten up a little, I'd let myself...go out dancing.

7. My favorite musical instrument is...I'm not sure if the drums are for sure my favorite musical instrument, but I do love them, and I do for sure want to learn how to play them!

8. The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is...pretty much just the cost of Netflix and HBO. I'd like to do more live things.

9. If I weren't so stingy with my artist, I'd buy her...a drum kit. Plants.

10. Taking time out for myself is...not something I do often enough. Scrolling mindlessly through my phone doesn't count. I like new experiences, but often, would like to do something that also counts as a skill.

11. I am afraid if I start dreaming...I might not know when to stop. I'm afraid that might dreams might not all mesh my with my family's.

12. I secretly enjoy reading...erotic literature? Nothing else is really "secret." I liked loved reading Twilight when it came out, I guess I don't showcase that info much.

13. If I had had a perfect childhood I'd have grown up to be...self-confident.

14. If it didn't sound so crzy, I'd write or make a...story that helps shift the cultural narrative in this day and age. It would be a guide to a better world.

15. My parents think artists are...inspiring, but out of reach for them. Both parents love to read and write! It's so beautiful. I want for them to create their own work.

16. My God thinks artists are...not meant long for this capitalistic world. They have to defy the odds and somehow keep themselves going despite not being able to spend the time on their craft they wish they could because they are instead wage slaves.

17. What makes me feel weird about this recovery is...what am I going to do with it? Not being sure about if I will create anything after all this.

18. Learning to trust myself is probably...something I absolutely need to do, but will take some time.

19. My most cheer-me-up music is...probably Maroon 5! So good to sing and dance along to. Or maybe some Shania Twain (feels random, but it just came to me - not a huge fan, but know a few of her songs from my childhood and I loved to dance to them).

20. My favorite way to dress is...whatever fits comfortably.


The Artist's Way: Week 3 Tasks

1. Describe your childhood room. If you wish, you may sketch this room. What was your favorite thing about it? What's your favorite thing about your room right now? Nothing? Well, get something you like in there—maybe something from that old childhood room.

2. Describe five traits you like in yourself as a child.
 

3. List five childhood accomplishments, (straight A's in seventh grade, trained the dog, punch out the class bully, short-sheeted the priest's bed).

And a treat: list five favorite childhood foods. Buy yourself one of them this week. Yes, Jell-O with bananas is okay.

4. Habits: Take a look at your habits. Many of them may interfere with your self-nurturing and cause shame. Some of the oddest things are self-destructive. Do you have a habit of watching TV you don't like? Do you have a habit of hanging out with a really boring friend and just killing them (there's an expression!)? Some rotten habits are obvious, overt (drinking too much, smoking, eating instead of writing). List three obvious rotten habits. What's the payoff in continuing them?

Some rotten habits are more subtle (no time to exercise, little time to pray, always helping others, not getting any self-nurturing, hanging out with people who belittle your dreams). List three of your subtle foes. What use do these forms of sabotage have? Be specific.

5. Make a list of friends who nuture you—that's nurture (give you a sense of your own competency and possibility), not enable (give you the message that you will never get it straight without their help). There is a big difference between being helped and being treated as though we are helpless. List three nurturing friends. Which of their traits, particularly, serve you well?

6. Call a friend who treats you like you are a really good and bright person who can accomplish things. Part of your recovery is reaching out for support. This support will be critical as you undertake new risks.

7. Inner Compass: Each of us has an inner compass. This is an instinct that points us toward health. It warns us when we are on dangerous ground, and it tells us when something is safe and good for us. Morning pages are one way to contact it. So are some other artist-brain activities—painting, driving, walking, scrubbing, running. This week, take an hour to follow your inner compass by doing an artist-brain activity and listening to what insights bubble up.

8. List five people you admire. Now, list five people you secretly admire. What traits do these people have that you can cultivate futher in yourself?

 

9. List five people you wish you had met who are dead. Now, list five people who are dead whom you'd like to hang out with for a while in eternity. What traits do you find in these people that you can look for in your friends?

10. Compare the two sets of lists. Take a look at what you really like and really admire—and a look at what you think you should like and admire. Your shoulds might tell you to admire Edison while your heart belongs to Houdini. Go with the Houdini side of you for a while.


Saturday Check-In
 

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages? How was the experience for you? How did the morning pages work for you? If you skipped a day, why did you skip it?

2. Did you do your artist date this week? (Yes, yes, and it was awful.) What did you do? How did it feel?

3. Did you experience any synchronicity this week? What was it?

4. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Describe them.