In Week 9 Julia Cameron focuses on compassion. I engaged in some gentle self-reflection. This week, we’re tackling self-sabotage, perfectionism, and that nasty inner critic—stuff that blocks creativity for artists (and everyone else!).
Recovering a Sense of Compassion
The Weight of the Inner Critic
Cameron doesn’t pull any punches when describing the harm caused by our inner critic. This constant inner critic often comes from societal pressure, past trauma, or ingrained beliefs about what we “ought” to do. Week 9’s task was to observe that inner voice without judgment, rather than agreeing or disagreeing with it.
For example, one exercise got me thinking about a time I hesitated to be creative. I found it hard to share my work-in-progress piece of writing. My hesitation came from a fear of criticism—I’ve always over thought things, so this wasn’t a surprise.
What does Julia suggest? Compassion. Especially for ourselves. Remember that inner critic? It’s just fear, not fact. Figuring that out made a huge difference in how I dealt with my doubts this week.
The Trap of Perfectionism
Week 9 also tackles the issue of perfectionism. Julia calls it “the enemy of creativity,” and I couldn’t agree more. Perfectionism’s insidious voice tells us our work is never quite good enough, leading to procrastination and ultimately inaction. Cameron’s advice—progress over perfection—was my mantra while I worked on my morning pages and creative projects.
I found the suggestion to allow for less-than-perfect first drafts to be very insightful. I frequently edit as I write, aiming for perfection from the start. I experimented with letting my words flow freely this week, confident that the polishing would come during revision. I reminded myself that imperfection is part of the process, not a flaw.
Affirmations and Kindness
A key part of my week’s growth involved revisiting and reflecting on my affirmations. At first, I thought affirmations were corny, even embarrassing. But Cameron’s insistence on their value encouraged me to push through my resistance. My daily affirmation, repeated aloud each morning, was “I am worthy of creative joy”. The more time passed, the less it felt like something I was forcing myself to believe, and the more it felt like a truth I was uncovering.
The combination of positive affirmations and dedicated “artist dates” instilled in me the importance of caring for myself. A trip to a local bookstore, some leisurely browsing, and a beautiful new journal made for a simple but satisfying artist date this week. It was a delightful treat, a reminder that little kindnesses can reignite the creative spirit.
Blasting Through Blocks: A Powerful Exercise for Clearing Creative Obstructions
- List Any Resentments – Write down any feelings of anger or resentment connected to your creative project. These can be small, irrational, or seemingly insignificant. Examples: “I resent that my work isn’t recognized,” or “I’m frustrated that I don’t have enough time to dedicate to this.”
- List Your Fears – Ask your inner artist to write down any fears about your current project, even if they feel childish or irrational. Examples: “I’m afraid my work won’t be good enough,” or “I’m scared no one will care about what I create.”
- Check for More Hidden Blocks – Revisit your lists and ask yourself if anything else is still lingering. Any tiny, nagging worries? Any hidden resentments? Write them all down.
- Acknowledge the Payoff of Not Creating – What do you gain by avoiding this work? Be honest with yourself. Examples: “If I don’t finish, no one can judge me,” or “If I procrastinate, I don’t have to face rejection.”
- Make a Deal with Your Creativity – Write a contract with yourself: “Creative Force, I will focus on producing the work, and I trust you to take care of its quality.” Sign it and post it somewhere visible.
Takeaways and Reflections
I learned in week 9 that self-compassion is crucial, not just a desirable concept. Embracing imperfection and nurturing my artistic side enabled a more authentic self-expression.
I learned this week that creativity thrives when we quiet self-doubt and encourage ourselves. The focus shouldn’t be on ignoring problems, but on fostering growth and curiosity.
To anyone on their own Artist’s Way journey: be gentle with yourself. Remember, creativity isn’t a straight path but a winding one. And sometimes, the most compassionate thing you can do is keep walking, one imperfect step at a time.
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