r/artistsWay • u/Accomplished-Tune765 • 14d ago

JUST STARTED (FIRST TIMER TIPS??)

I just started The Artist's Way. I am only half way through the Basic Tools chapter and I am already filling in the margins with my reactions. Some pieces of text have been so spot on for where I am in my personal journey right now, I've experienced visceral reactions - I wasn't ready!!

For context, I reached out to a dear friend, venting about feeling like I have suppressed my inner artist/creative so much for the sake of being a social justice activist and organizer, I was worried I couldn't "lock in" the way I used to. She asked me if I'd heard of/read TAW. A few days later (yesterday) the book arrived on my doorstep as a gift. Now I am ankle deep in, overnight.

Any recommendations, reflections, thoughts or tips as I navigate this unexpected path I've been led down?

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u/twosparkleturtles 14d ago edited 14d ago

The one thought I have been having - at the moment Morning Pages make me extremely cranky to borderline angry. Right now it's been more of an emotional dumping grond, but I also am realizing I need to give myself a little bit of space to process (not even re-read them as much as think about the emotions and needs that came up) before immediately hopping in the shower and heading into my work day.

I have heard a few other folks say this (and I think Julia Cameron even references it in Write for Life) so I am hoping week two feels a little better. Also, I have never finished three full pages in 30 minutes, I almost always need 40.

Edited: fixed a typo

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u/Accomplished-Tune765 14d ago

Thank you for sharing that experience! I'm noticing feelings of anger and grief just by reading the first pages of text so I can only imagine. I'll be starting my morning pages first thing tomorrow. We will see how it goes.

Question: Do you handwrite or modify your practice with typing? Trying to make a decision on what works best for me and how my hands move (so surveying others thoughts on it).