"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron

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My well-loved copy of “The Artist’s Way”

My well-loved copy of “The Artist’s Way”

“The Artist’s Way,” is an important read for anyone considering making changes in their life. In twelve week pattern changes can occur including; learning a new skill, starting a business, changing careers or creating a wellness plan. “The Artist’s Way” is not exclusive to artists as we are all the creators of our life experiences. This book is a guide for uncovering true desires and creating a plan to use personal strengths for greatness. The questions and quotes throughout the book can be helpful motivators to stay on track with the process.

A popular exercise from “The Artist’s Way” is “morning pages,” which consists of at least three pages of free writing. This is writing without stopping and void of proper grammar and punctuation. These pages are not intended to be reread or edited. The purpose of morning pages is to clear the mental clutter to reduce distractions from the tasks of the day. Morning pages can actually help reduce stress and anxiety since random thoughts, worries and to-do lists can take up a lot of mental bandwidth. Taking a few minutes each morning can create a positive routine to get your problem solving, genius juices flowing to be highly productive throughout the day.

Here are some quotes form “The Artist’s Way;”

“I shut my eyes in order to see.” - Paul Gauguin

“Art? You just do it.” - Martin Ritt

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out your horn.” - Charlie Parker

Weekend Design & Wellness Project

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Photo by: Daria Nepriakhina @epicantus

Photo by: Daria Nepriakhina @epicantus

Grab the closest book, any book accessible. Now, open to a random page and read what’s right in front of you. When I do this, I open a book to exactly what I need to read in that moment. For some reason, the content always relates to what I’m experiencing or advice I need to apply. It’s also a great way for a busy person to get some reading in even if it’s only one page or passage.

My book recommendation with keeping on this week’s subject of branding is, “The Culture Code” by Clotaire Rapaille. This book made a huge impression on me many years ago. Clotaire Rapaille, is a marketing expert who has worked with major corporation around the world to help them understand how they communicate to their customers and how their brand or product is perceived in other cultures. For example; peanut butter’s culture code in America = “a mother's love” whereas in France peanut butter = “another processed food.” There is an emotional connection to peanut butter for Americans from Skippy commercials with a mom drawing a heart in the fresh peanut butter. I have to admit, I love to draw the heart in my newly opened, natural, non-Skippy peanut butter. This emotional connection made an imprint on me notwithstanding my lack of brand loyalty.

Which product’s brand messaging from your childhood created an emotional connection for you?

Take some time this weekend to expand your mind and heart. You are worth it and your friends and family will benefit from having a refreshed version of you afterwards.

One Word

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Photo by: Shashi Chi @chshashi30

Photo by: Shashi Chi @chshashi30

Focus on just one word that you need in your life to move through to the next phase. This will be your pivot word. Your word could be; strength, breathe, calm, peace, patience, now or om.

For a deeper experience, here is a calming drink recipe and a 20 minute meditation from The Mindful Movement

Calming Drink Recipe

  • Squeeze half of a lemon or lime into hot water

  • 1 teaspoon of Raw or Manuka honey

  • 1 small pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt

  • Option to add a mint or chamomile tea bag

  • Add fresh mint or chamomile flowers if they are accessible

Refreshing Drink Recipe

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Customize Your Own Recipe

Photo by: Brooke Lark @brookelark

Photo by: Brooke Lark @brookelark

  • Choose your favorite fruit flavor; lemon, blueberry, strawberry, mango, pineapple…

  • Choose your favorite green vegetable; spinach, kale, broccoli…

  • Choose your favorite hydrating liquid; electrolyte water, coconut water

  • Choose an anti-inflammatory root; ginger, turmeric, horseradish, cinnamon

  • Add a dash of Himalayan Pink Salt for extra minerals and pH, improve respiratory health and aides in good digestion.

My drink recipe would look like this:

  • Lemon

  • Spinach

  • Half Essentia Water & Half Coconut Water

  • Ginger

  • 3 Mint leaves

  • 1 Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt

Weekend Design & Wellness Project

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What has been the nicest compliment, recognition or notion of gratitude that you’ve ever received in your life?

What has been the hardest lesson that you’ve had to learn?

This weekend take a few minutes a write yourself a thank you note or a letter of recognition. Writing kind things about yourself may feel uncomfortable so try to think from the perspective of those who praised you in the past. A simple way to achieve this is to expand on what has already been recognized about you until your own words start to flow more naturally.

Reflecting on your life lessons and valuable mistakes every once in a while will help you to accept your whole self on another level. What the heck does that even mean? It means that the things you dislike about yourself and those cringing moments you hate to be reminded of will slowly transform into gratitude for the experience to grow into a wiser, more compassionate version of yourself. Instead of feel depressed over the past, you will feel accomplished for having survived through tough times. You will get to a point where you welcome new challenges that arise to see how many opportunities you’ll get to use the wisdom you have gained.

Enjoy your weekend and be sure to do something for yourself.

Photo by: Mohamed Nohassi @coopery

Photo by: Mohamed Nohassi @coopery