Living the Artist’s Way – How this Book is Transforming my Life
A 6-Week Spiritual Adventure
Two years ago, I first got the idea to start this blog.
Since then, I’ve spent hundreds of hours writing, editing, making videos, drawing, trying to be creative.
Sharing bits and pieces here or on social media, deleting them, rearranging ideas, experimenting.
I started different creatives challenges to keep going and growing.
Creative expression has always been a devotional practice to me.
However, I have always felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of my multidimensional/multidisciplinary expression.
I was afraid of my voice, trying to make things sound acceptable, was ashamed of many creations and couldn’t simply surrender to my soul’s longing. I tried to make sense of the creative process in a linear way, and didn’t dare to follow through what my intuition was telling me.
With this workbook of the Artist’s Way I finally found trust again.
Trust that I’m guided in every step of the process and I can finetune listening to this inner voice.
Julia Cameron’s devotion to her inner guidance is infectious, and the many stories from her creative friends are equally inspiring.
Each week became a portal, an opening into new insights, creative breakthroughs, and a deeper connection to my inner whisper.
Here are some examples of questions I asked, guided by the book’s prompts, and the answers I ‘received’.
week 3
what do i need to know regarding my business?
Lean back, my Love.
Everything is being prepared for you.
You do not need to worry.
All the stories you worry about not finishing – they all have a life on their own.
They will let you know when they are ready to be released into the public.
Imagine them as little floating souls, each evolving in their own timing.
Every creation is precious, no matter what you think about them.
Everything that has ever been created is already sacred.
As they are all rooted in the same source that created the universe.
Fill your attention with Devotion.
Show up with Presence.
Share your Medicine.
Relax, knowing that making art can be just that simple.
week 6
(here’s the thing with me and my creative energy: it’s unpredictable. it took me 5 weeks to finish the designated 5 week-itinerary of the book. then, i was travelling, and week 6 took almost 2 months to finish. well, better now than never. at least i can now proudly say i did it. in my time.)
how can i finish my video project? i am anxious that it will not be good enough.
Lean into your fear. All your questions are part of the creation process. Feel the paralysis, and the fear. Create your video as an answer to your question. The process is the medicine that will heal and nourish you.
what are the main priorities right now? what should i focus on? how do i choose the most essential task to do out of the sea of infinite tasks?
You already know the most important priority: silence
Clear your mind, stop absorbing random people’s energies online.
Be highly aware about what you consume and who you let into your field. You know yourself very well by now, Nina. You don’t need more motivation & inspiration.
All the answers will come once you start doing the work. Finding your why is the simplest thing to do. Stay with your simple why and everything else will follow. Literally, feel into your environment. Your breathing & your energy level will tell you everything. Your excitement will let you know where to go next.
Your travel next week was already decided. And you already decided on the 2 videos that you are going to finish tomorrow.
When the time is right, things finish in an instant. Until then, enjoy life and CLEAN. Make space for God to enter. CLEAN all your bodies.
This is a period of your life where you are refining your skills and trust more in your inner guidance. You’re letting go more and will discover that creation itself lies behind all the answers.
You are an artist and all of your life is a testament of that. You feel it in your bones.
And this is the only advice you need.
Don’t worry about other people reading your words or whether they are able to relate to you.
Focus on your art. The reward will come, but it doesn’t matter.
Continue doing what you love most.
Every day on repeat. Learn to live with the cycles.
Accept & love your parents. Make friends with all your demons.
And be ruthless about what kind of energy to cut from your life.
You’re sensitive af, don’t allow random people’s energies to come too close to you.
We live and project too fast and highly conscious people are rare. Be careful in who you let close.
Money wants to flow from all directions, let it happen. It was meant to be like this, it always has been.
Your path, your brand, your story is the only thing that matters. Your life depends on it, treat it as such.
what i learned
- I often arrogantly assume I already know what the answer will be, however I’m always surprised by the outcome.
- ‘The voice’ still sounds like me, there are grammar/spelling mistakes, and it is far from a perfectly polished academic text. But every word resonates with ME, and the energy of care and presence is palpable.
- Through Julia’s examples in the book, I gained a deeper understanding how personal guidance is. Her voice sounds different than mine. She describes HER relationship, and encourages the reader to explore their own individual connection with their inner guidance.
- My inner voice sounds way cooler than all the generic Instagram motivational quotes.
- It feels too simple to be true. Writing cuts through all the complexity of searching for answers. It reveals simplicity. Redirects me to the present moment.