Sunday, January 9, 2011

2 dates a week or a fortnight


No, I'm not talking about the awkward "Do I like you and do you like me?" kind of date. I'm talking about taking yourself on a date. Yes, you. You deserve the love and attention don't you??

I think these are so important I've scheduled them in my diary. We often run around being so busy with our work and social lives, we forget ourselves so easily. We need to stop and give ourselves some time to nourish our souls and pay attention to what we need.

The two dates I'm proposing you is and Artist's Date and a Down Time Date. If you can work them in weekly to your schedule, fantastic, if you can only do it fortnightly, so be it. But don't take too long between dates.

Artist's Date
The Artist's Date is a 'solo expedition to explore some thing that interests you.' Julia Cameron who wrote The Artist's Way and suggests the Artist Date as an important tool, says it is for 'Opening yourself to insight, inspiration and guidance'. You can take 1 or 2 hours for it, half a day or even a whole day if you so choose.

It is sacred time for you only to do something or see something that inspires you and replenishes your creative and productive juices. There are so many possibilities and what you choose will depend on your unique interests. And it doesn't have to cost money. So many wonderful things are free.

Some suggestions are:
  • A long exploratory walk in an unfamiliar neighbourhood
  • Tour the local markets
  • Walk through an art gallery
  • Visit a book store or library
  • Watch an old movie
  • Listen to a favourite or brand new album
  • Go and watch the sunset
  • Visit a spiritual place
  • Cook a new recipe
  • Go for a long drive
  • Visit a second hand store
  • Go to a craft store
  • Look at paint swatches at a hardware store
The choices are endless, pick a different one to do each time. Going solo is important. Look at it as an adventure and fill your well!

Down Time Date
This is simply giving yourself the time to do whatever you want. Not what you should or could do, but what you want to do. The point of this date is not to have a concrete, productive outcome. This is something that will make you feel good and be full of enjoyment of the date. Give yourself two or more hours to immerse yourself in your Down Time Date, turn off your phone and let the other's at home know you're indulging in some much needed 'you' time.

Some ideas:
  • Take a bath with scented candles
  • Snuggle on the couch and read a juicy book
  • Do a jigsaw puzzle
  • Meander through your suburb
  • Work on a hobby
  • Try on outfits out of your wardrobe to find new combinations
  • Pamper yourself
  • Decorate
Whatever you do, honour yourself and enjoy it. Give yourself the gift of time.

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne xo

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