In Week 5 we are asked to remain open to possibility.
Week 4 was a deep dive into self-definition. As we worked through the exercises and the powerful tool of reading deprivation, we were invited to strip away the noise and confront our inner truths.
How did the Morning Pages go for you? If you skipped them, did you notice any resistance or tantrums creeping in? It’s important to recognize these moments as signs of growth—sometimes, resistance means we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.
And what about your Artist Date? Did you allow yourself something more nourishing than just renting a movie? How did it feel to prioritize your creative self?
Reading deprivation was likely a challenge, but what did you learn from it? Were you surprised by how much input you rely on daily? And perhaps, by the insights that surfaced in the quiet?
This past week was all about integrity—aligning our inner self with our outer actions. The term “integrity” here speaks to wholeness and honesty. Did you notice any shifts in how you see yourself or in how you present yourself to the world?
Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility
This week is all about expanding beyond our self-imposed limits. We are invited to examine where we hold ourselves back, where we choose comfort over growth, and where we unconsciously block the good that wants to come into our lives.
Julia Cameron reminds us that creativity is the natural order of life. When we open ourselves up to this energy, we see possibilities where before we saw only dead ends.
Exploring Limits
One of the biggest barriers to embracing possibility is our belief in scarcity—scarcity of opportunity, time, talent, or support. But what if the universe is actually abundant? What if creativity, like a flowing river, has an endless supply of inspiration and resources?
Consider where you may limit yourself:
- Do you dismiss creative ideas as impractical or unrealistic?
- Do you fear looking foolish or failing?
- Are you so used to staying small that growth feels impossible?
This week, challenge yourself to shift these beliefs. Instead of assuming something isn’t possible, ask yourself, What if it is?
Giving Yourself Permission to Succeed
Many of us unconsciously believe we don’t deserve success. We might feel guilty about pursuing our dreams or worry about outgrowing those around us. But Cameron suggests that embracing our own success is an act of gratitude to life itself. If we think of creativity as a gift from a higher source—whether we call it God, the universe, or simply life energy—then developing and sharing that gift is a way of honoring it.
This week, think about ways you might be sabotaging your own achievements. What would happen if you allowed yourself to fully pursue your creative dreams?
Scarcity vs. Abundance Thinking
Do you think, If I accept this opportunity, I might miss the better one? Or, I can’t take this creative risk because I might fail?
Creativity does not thrive in a mindset of scarcity. Instead, try to adopt a belief that the universe is always conspiring in your favor. This doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly, but it means that new opportunities are always unfolding—sometimes in unexpected ways.
The Virtue Trap: The Danger of Over-Giving
Many creatives fall into the trap of prioritizing others’ needs over their own. We become the supportive friend, the responsible worker, the ever-reliable person—but at what cost? When we constantly put others first, we lose touch with our creative selves.
Signs you may be in the Virtue Trap:
- You feel drained, uninspired, or disconnected from your art.
- You say yes to obligations but feel resentful about them.
- You struggle to find time for yourself and your creative pursuits.
To counter this, take some time this week to reclaim your creative energy. Give yourself permission to say no. Make space for play, for rest, and for the creative activities that bring you joy.
Exercises for the Week
1. The Spiritual Two-Step:
Each night before bed, write areas where you’d like guidance. In the morning, revisit these questions in your Morning Pages and see what insights arise.
2. What Would You Try If It Weren’t Crazy?
List five things you would do if there were no barriers—money, time, skill, or approval from others. What do these dreams tell you about yourself?
3. What Would You Do If It Weren’t Too Selfish?
Make another list—this time, of things you’d do if you didn’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself. These might be smaller steps toward your bigger dreams.
Finding the River
At this point in The Artist’s Way, we have spent weeks clearing out creative blocks. We have confronted our fears, our limiting beliefs, and our self-sabotage. Now, we are experiencing a sense of flow. Creativity is feeling more natural, more effortless. This is the river—the current of inspiration and possibility that we are learning to trust.
As you move through this week, notice where the river is guiding you. Are new opportunities emerging? Are you feeling a greater sense of trust in your creative process?
The key is to stay open. Open to possibility. Say yes to the unexpected. Trust that creativity, like life, is meant to flow.
And remember: You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to pursue your dreams. You are allowed to say yes to your creative self.
♥
Corinne
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