The Artist’s Way Week 6 : Recovering A Sense of Abundance

Week 6 of The Artist’s Way helps us to recover a sense of abundance.

But first let’s check in on last week!

Last week, in “Recovering a Sense of Possibility” we examined the ways we create our own obstacles. We discussed the ways our limiting beliefs and self-sabotage, driven by a need for safety, routine, or control, impede our progress.

• Morning Pages: How many days did you write this week? Have you noticed that moment, around a page and a half in, when you hit something real? That moment where resistance crumbles and your inner voice begins to speak?
• Artist Date: Did you commit to it? Did you listen in the stillness? What did you do? How did it feel?
• Synchronicities: Have any unexpected doors opened? Have coincidences aligned with your creative journey? What signs, however small, have you noticed?

Week 6: Recovering a Sense of Abundance

This week, we delve into abundance. Not just financial wealth, but the richness of life, creativity, and the permission to claim joy.

The Great Creator

We often separate creativity from financial reality, believing that creative work doesn’t pay, or that money and art are at odds. We tell ourselves:

• “I’ll pursue my dreams when I can afford it.”
• “I’d love to create, but I have bills to pay.”
• “Life isn’t that generous—fun is for the lucky ones.”

This perspective wrongly equates work with hardship, play with irresponsibility, and creative pursuits with self-indulgence. But take a look—nature is not lacking in abundance. There’s more than one pink flower! Creativity is an overflowing force, not a rationed resource.

When we shift our perspective, we see that life wants to support our creativity. The difficulty lies in learning to trust it. Starting small with our dreams often unlocks resources: we find opportunities, ideas, and even financial backing appear unexpectedly.

The Power of Luxury

In this context, luxury doesn’t mean extravagance. It’s all about carefully nourishing and attending to your creative spirit.

For some, luxury might be a fresh bouquet of flowers. For others, a quiet morning with a book, a long walk, or an extra 30 minutes of sleep might be enough. The point is to embrace small, meaningful indulgences that signal to yourself: My creativity matters.

Yet, when we give ourselves permission to enjoy life, we often hear an inner voice chiding us:

• “That’s wasteful.”
• “You don’t deserve this.”
• “You should be working harder.”

But denying ourselves joy doesn’t make us more responsible—it makes us more depleted. Creativity thrives in expansion, not restriction.

This week, notice the luxuries you deny yourself. Is there a small pleasure you’ve written off as unnecessary? What would it feel like to welcome more delight into your life?

Exercises

Counting: An Exercise

This week, track every single thing you spend money on. Not to judge, but to observe. Where does your money go? Do you spend on things that bring you real joy, or do you deny yourself in favor of practicality?

At the same time, look at what free luxuries exist around you—sunlight, music, laughter, art, movement. Abundance is about noticing what’s already here.

Money Madness: An Exercise

Complete these phrases and see what emerges:

• People with money are…
• Money makes people…
• I’d have more money if…
• My dad thought money was…
• My mom always thought money would…
• In my family, money caused…
• Money equals…
• If I had money, I would…
• If I could afford it, I would…
• I’m afraid that if I had money, I would…
• Money is…
• Money causes…
• Having money is not…
• In order to have more money, I would need to…
• When I have money, I usually…
• I think money…
• If I weren’t so cheap, I’d…
• People think money…
• Being broke tells me…

Your responses will reveal hidden beliefs about money, creativity, and worth. Do you associate money with greed, struggle, or power? Do you believe that having wealth is at odds with being an artist?

Abundance isn’t just about financial wealth—it’s about embracing the richness of life. It’s about allowing joy, recognizing creative flow, and trusting that when you honor your artistic calling, life rises to meet you.

What small act of abundance will you allow this week?