Go on an artist date this Valentine

Well, 2025 has already been... something and we're only one and a half months in. These dark winter months aren't exactly boosting the mood either and to be honest I am already counting down the days until Spring. Unfortunately that's still 41 days from now with no guarantee of nice and warm weather, so we'll have to find another way to keep our minds positive and I just might have the solution. Valentine's day is just around the corner and this year I think we deserve to take ourself out on an artist date.

What is an artist date?

I learned about the term "artist date" from the book "The artist way" by Julia Cameron. She describes an artist date as "a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist. In its most primary form, the artist date is an excursion, a play date that you preplan and defend against all interlopers. You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a. your creative child.".

Why you should take yourself out on an artist date!

At it's core, an artist date is a form of creative self care. If your creativity is a hen house, you'll have to feed the chickens in order to get the eggs. So in order to get inspiration, you'll have to give your mind something to work with. Scrolling pinterest for hours will only make you feel tired and overwhelmed, comparing your ideas to finished works of others. If you go out and give your brain elements to work with, you'll be surprised by the sudden boost of inspiration you'll get. In short, taking yourself out on a date might just be the boost you need to get through these grey days.

Some ideas

• Visit a museum you normally wouldn’t pick
• Go for a walk and take pictures of interesting textures, colors and shapes
• Pick out a book at the library, put on some background music, make a little nest in your couch and read it
• Book a personal tour at a gallery
• Bake something yummie (cinnamon rolls, cherry pie, cookies, cake, etc) and bring a piece to your family, friends or neighbours
• Visit the zoo or aquarium and do some sketching
• Pick out a plain accessory (a bag, hat, headphones, phone case) and decorate it with stickers, bows, buttons, pins, keychains, etc.
• Pick up an old hobby you abandoned
• Make a cute Valentine's day card for someone you care about
• Go to the thrift store and visit the DVD section, pick out the most interesting looking movie and watch it
• Visit an open mic at your local comedy club
• Explore the town you live in. Go grab a coffee, visit small businesses, pass by the local thrift store, etc.