A beautiful sunset view of the Hudson River at the Mariandale Center. My intuition helped me to find a writing retreat where I could feel nourished and supported.
I’m currently running an online support group for people as we work through Julia Cameron’s influential book, “The Artist’s Way,” which is designed to help people connect with their creativity and spirituality.
I started the group in part because I had tried to work on the book myself many years ago, but I didn’t get past the first few chapters. Back then, I had started doing one of the major recommended tools - the Morning Pages - which entails writing 3 pages of stream-of-consciousness daily as a way to unblock our creativity and listen to our inspiration.
I got a lot of value out of doing Morning Pages and it was one of the first steps that I took towards understanding and connecting to my intuition. I found that after the first few pages of venting or getting my thoughts and concerns out, towards the end of the 3 pages, my inner voice would come through and resolve the situation or encourage me. I’ve now come to know the inner voice deeply and over the past several years, have honed my ability to channel and receive this information on demand.
What I realized, was that my intuition knows how to access my creativity, what projects I want to work on, and what I could be if I just let myself get there. This, of course, requires not just an ability to listen, but the courage to take action.
In fact, I started the Artist’s Way support group for other people so that I could make sure I do it myself. Sometimes, it’s best to teach when we want to learn the material on a deeper level. My intuition kept coming up with the idea to create this group, and I’m super glad I (finally) listened to it.
So, in the next series of blog posts, I will share a few lessons learned that have helped me to connect with my creativity more and give me confidence.
This is particularly important because one of the missing pieces in people “actually” expressing their purpose is not just confidence IN their purpose, but confidence in themselves and God’s ability to help you succeed (and if God doesn’t work for you, then your concept of something higher than yourself… like the Divine, Great Creator, Nature, or something big like the Universe).
Lesson #1: Your intuition does know the way. Besides listening to it, it requires real action.
You probably have heard that still, small voice in your head that wants you to pursue your big dreams or even just take small, incremental steps, like treating yourself to a dessert that maybe you were denying yourself. From “The Artist’s Way” journey, I’ve found that your intuition will come up with crazy, mundane, seemingly foolish, insignificant, or frivolous ideas — ideas that seem like a waste of time or money. But, these ideas yield the most fruit. They put you in a state of flow, joy, and abundance, without actually having to do much.
It is, after all, just a rational perception that your ideas of how to improve your life are insignificant or useless. Imagine, that having the joy of delighting in your favorite dessert is actually the nourishment your soul (and your mental health) needs.
According to Julia Cameron, this example of treating yourself to something you love, like your favorite dessert, can help put you in a state of luxury and flow. It can not only give you joy, but it can unleash ideas and help you strengthen your pathway to following your intuitive ideas, which can open up your creativity.
My intuition guided me to look for singing classes, to connect with people who are also creative, and to take courses that inspire me and help me hone my craft.
All of these ideas, though, require action.
I had to spend quite some time on Google searching for a writer’s retreat when my intuition came up with the idea that it would nourish me to go on one for the first time. I searched high and low for a retreat that met my requirements — it had to be close by, affordable, and have a buffet option available because I absolutely love buffets and that was a treat that I wanted for myself.
I also had to get through the barriers of all the excuses that my rational mind came up with. “I didn’t really want to be away from my kids… what a luxury to just leave and spend time for myself… I could probably spend that money on other, more useful things…. if I’m not planning on immediately writing or publishing a book, why would I go on a writer’s retreat?…” All of these thoughts flew through my mind and they could have stopped me entirely, if I had listened to them.
Instead, I kept being in the inspiration of the idea, looking at retreat centers, checking out their accommodations and amenities, and feeling excited about the possibility of having this time for myself.
I ultimately found the Mariandale Center in the Hudson Valley area that offered different workshops, private rooms that didn’t break the bank, a cafeteria, beautiful views of the Hudson River, and grounds to explore. I was proud of myself when I finally registered for it. This action, while it may seem small and mundane to some, was a big step in investing in myself as a creative artist again. I used to easily take these steps when I was younger, but since becoming a mom, it became harder to carve out this time for myself and my creativity.
At the Mariandale Center, I attended a workshop retreat that was on writing a life memoir, taught by someone who had published her own memoirs. It became my first solo trip away from my kids in six years, made possible by my husband who watched the kids for the few days I was away. I felt giddy and free, like I was in college again, which meant I felt decades younger!
During the workshop, I also felt empowered in my voice and ability as a writer. I loved writing for the sake of telling a story, and not for any business or marketing purpose either. I realized I have so many stories inside of me from my personal life, ideas, musings, and reflections that I would love to write about. I also learned about ways to submit my work to publications or anthologies and was moved emotionally when I read my work out loud and my words healed inner wounds and resonated with others.
I’ve since submitted my work and while I haven’t heard back, I feel empowered to stand in the possibility that my stories are published in different ways, not just in a book that I know I will author in the future.
My intuition was right yet again — I really could and did benefit from going on a writing retreat. I am also grateful to have found a place that I think of fondly as playing a role in nurturing my soul and voice. This is a lesson that I’m sure I will keep learning — to keep listening for and following my intuition, and to have the audacity (as Julia Cameron likes to say) to share my work with others.
Reflection Questions:
What does your intuition ask you to do?
How do you want to treat yourself?
What would help you nurture your creative voice?
What actions do these ideas require and how can you take a small action (like a Google search) to keep the ball rolling?
If you are interested in joining my next online support group for The Artist’s Way starting in early February 2025 (the support group is currently free and we meet on Zoom on Thursday evening every week on Eastern Time as we go through each chapter of the book), or would like to have more information, please complete this registration form here or reach out to me directly at julie (at) beingmypurpose (dot) com.