So I decided to go on my first Artist Date today! Well I technically made the decision yesterday but I went on it today. And boy do I need to work on some things…

So you can google and find lots of information on what “artist dates” are and ideas for them. In brief, while working through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, this is a tool you are to use to help inspire your creativity.

I had been trying to get in the habit of Julia’s artist tools for several years. Back in October 2023, I started doing morning pages (write 3 pages a day, each morning – google if you want more description). I have been doing them consistently since mid-October. Every morning, first habit of my morning routine is to write three pages. Sure, sometimes I get up late and have to take the dog out first because it takes me a while to write 3 pages. But then I get my butt to my desk, pen in hand, and scribble away. My cursive has improved immensely!

I had bought The Artist’s Way Journal years ago. It has been so long I don’t even remember – definitely before the pandemic! But I never wrote in it. All my attempts at morning pages were in notebooks – and admittedly, they are my preferred place to write. With 3 months of consistent writing, I have learned I have a preference of notebook, type of paper, and certain pens will drive me absolutely bonkers. Who knew?! I am trying to work on some changes for myself and since I have been doing well with consistency, I have moved on to the Journal book. You don’t need it; I do recommend Julia’s book with all the other info if you want to give this program a whirl for yourself. But some people like having the “official” journal to use – so if that’s you, go for it. It has reminded me about Artist Dates. I don’t know now if I will continue them long term. Love the daily writing and I see myself doing that consistently with no end in sight. As for the dates, I will do them for 12 weeks (so 12 outings) and then decide where to go from there.

And so, I went on my first one today…

and I went to Costco. In retrospect, what the hell was I thinking?! But beforehand, it seemed so clever. Let me explain…

I needed a few things from Costco but refused to set foot in there in December. Maybe I should point out I have a little bit of social anxiety and dislike crowds VERY much. I tolerate them at Disney but pretty much every where else, they are very triggering. Typically, I like to run into a store right when it opens, grab what I need, and self-check my butt out as quick as I can. But it doesn’t matter what day of the week or what time you go, Costco in December is nuts. There wasn’t a dire need for anything so I figured I’d wait until January. So the plan was to go on Tuesday, January 2 – once most people were back at work or school or wherever. But I was on a roll with working yesterday that I wasn’t hesitant to interrupt. And once it started drizzling, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. I thought Wednesday would be better anyway. And then I remembered I needed a date for this week!

From what I’ve read, I think museums and new-to-me neighborhoods will be my primary date spots. But I just wasn’t feeling those for this week. Not sure why, they just weren’t talking to me. Then I thought, Costco has stories to tell! I will take my time (instead of head down, focused shopping). I’ll make eye contact with others, listen to their conversations, really notice them. I thought the store might have some outrageous things – like a huge supply of something you couldn’t possibly use in a lifetime. It’d be like a quest to find it! While waiting in the long checkout lines, I can look at what people are purchasing and make up my own stories in my head. Costco felt like it would be teeming with creative inspiration! And so, I put it onto the calendar for today as my first Artist Date.

I washed up, put on real clothes – not my comfy house-pants that I typically run errands in! I still wore my orthopedic shoes over something cute I’d wear on a real date because I was still going to Costco. I even took a few minutes to put on a little eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss.

On the drive over, I reminded myself to smile and take deep breaths. I wanted to make sure I captured the details of my outing. For a moment, I thought I’d take a bunch of pics and maybe even some video to make a reel of it. But I wouldn’t do that on a date with the hubs – I would maybe take one but then I like putting the phone away and being present. The Artist Date isn’t for making a Reel; it’s for inspiration and you need to truly be present for that.

Surprisingly, I found a great parking spot on the store level. My store is in metro San Francisco and has a three level parking garage. Usually I park up top as it’s the least crowded rather than deal with everyone trying to circle and wait for a spot on the entrance level. As I was making my way to go up top, there was a spot just before the ramp. No signs regarding pick-up spaces only so I pulled in, grabbed my reusable totes, and made my way to the giant doorway.

And then the ideas I had of this being a wonderful spot for creative inspiration fizzled out and reality set in. There were a LOT of people, a lot of carts, and I felt a touch overwhelmed. I did try to take my time roaming each aisle but there were always so many carts following close behind or headed right at me. So many people were on their phones – having conversations on speaker phone (a personal pet peeve of mine for those that do that in public) or ticking off Instacart lists. There was the woman complaining to an older woman (her mother perhaps) about the snack not being organic so she wouldn’t give it to her kids. The old woman turned and started shuffling back the way she came. There was a man who had 4 items in his hands, essentially his hands were full. I’d never gone into Costco without a cart; I admired his choice.

I don’t know if the inspiration of an artist date is in fact meant to be captured in that moment or not. I thought I might jot a few things down when I got back to my car. But as I loaded up the hatchback, there was a car waiting for my spot and several cars honked at him as if he were in their way. It took me long enough just packing up; I felt like it would be a dick move to then get in the car and sit and write.

There were lessons in my choice of today’s Artist Date. I should pick something more novel rather than adding on the errand element. I ought to think about incorporating a quiet chunk of time into the date – like I could’ve popped over to a table in the food court to capture some ideas. The tables today were crowded and noisy and the greasy food didn’t smell at all appealing…but it’s an afterthought. A quieter, calmer activity would be better for me.

But I showed up, which is a huge start for me. I just have to start, whatever that looks like, and hope I will get better, and less messy, over time. 💜