A few years ago, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. If you haven’t read it, In the book she talks about her own difficulties as a writer, and she suggests some things that creative people can do to allow their creativity to flow without having to resort to extreme things like heavy drinking. Some of the things are quite general. There’s also a twelve week thingy people can follow.
One of the things she mentions is artist’s dates. An artist’s date involves setting aside time each week to do something fun that sparks your creativity. It could be a trip to an art gallery or a museum, or a play, or doing a workshop.
The point of the artist’s date is to fill up the inspiration basket. Doing this means that we are more likely to have ideas when we need them.
Living in a rural area, not being able to drive and having limited free time means that things like going out for lunch then having a wander round an art gallery, although lovely, and a possibility sometimes , it’s not something I can do regularly. But I’ve realised that it’s possible to have low key kind of artist’s dates as well.
Going out for a walk is one easy way to have an artist’s date, and there are so many good things about going out for a walk.
Going Out for a Walk is Easy to Do
There’s no need for special equipment. A pair of comfy shoes and a decent coat are really all you need.
You can walk anywhere. There’s no need to go anywhere special if you don’t want to.
In the village where I live, I have a choice of country lanes and muddy footpaths. There’s even a tiny wood on the edge of the village, which despite having lived here for over 20 years, I only discovered during Covid! Further afield, there is Sandringham, the lakes at Bawsey all sorts of other walks, woods and trails, and the sea isn’t too far away.
You might have city streets, a town, parks, or walks by the sea. I think it’s actually quite nice to walk about where we live, because it does become part of who we are. I talk about that a little bit in this post here.
You can go for a walk however much time you have. If you are very busy, it might be possible to build a walk into your day, perhaps by parking further away or by getting off the bus/ train/ underground one stop before or after.
It might also be possible to run errands on foot rather than take the car. Otherwise, even ten minutes is better than nothing.
It doesn’t matter how fit you are. You don’t have to go very far, walk very fast, or be out for very long. You can do what you can.
The Benefits of Walking for Our Physical and Mental Health
Moving about in the fresh air can do us the world of good.
Walking gives us a chance to connect with nature. Wherever you live, there are probably plants, trees, and animals. The colour of the sky, and how warm or cold or wet it is outside also draws attention to the seasons changing. Even in a city, nature is everywhere, whether it’s a park, a tree lined street, moss in a wall, or a patch or waste ground.
It can help to shake off a bad mood. If you’re feeling out of sorts, grumpy, stressed or anxious, going for a walk can really help. Even gentle exercise releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel good, and it’s also an easy way to take some time for yourself.
Walking helps with heart health and strengthening bones and muscles, especially as we get older.
Walking can help with poor sleep. Apparently being outside and having light all around us, especially in the morning, can help to regulate poor sleep. I sleep badly, and I find that although walking doesn’t entirely fix it, it does often help.
Energy levels can be boosted by walking about in the fresh air. Even if you feel tired when you get home, it can help with your energy levels overall.
How Going for a Walk Boosts Creativity
I have my best ideas when I am out walking!
Walking boosts circulation, which increases blood flow to the brain and helps with brain function. This means that you might be more likely to have ideas while you are walking, or come up with a way to solve a particular problem.
Stepping away from what you are doing can give a different perspective. So you might find when you get back that if you were stuck before, you feel less stuck.
As well as allowing ideas to flow, there might be things around you that spark ideas. I’ve had ideas for colours I could use, plants that have made me think of embroidery stitches, and things like seed heads, blossom, or bare branches in a winter sky that have inspired me to make or draw something.
Walking about outside can help to reduce stress. Nobody has their best ideas when they are stressed! So being able to put that aside for a little while, at least a bit, makes it more likely that creative ideas will flow.
Some Suggestions for Going Out for a Walk
Dress for the weather! A warm coat, gloves, wellies, a hat if it’s sunny. And if you have things to carry consider a backpack or a wheelie basket.
If you find that you are getting bored with the same walk, try doing the same route in the opposite direction. It’s interesting how different things are when approached from the opposite direction!
You might like to walk quickly, but it’s worth taking a moment to slow down a bit and notice what is there. Take some slow breaths, and make a point of really seeing.
You might find it helpful to decide to look out for particular things. For example, you might decide to observe blossom, or spot red things, or make a point of noticing patterns, or street art.
I encourage you to have an artist’s date, either by yourself or with a friend, and go for a walk!
And as a sidenote, I’m currently working on something that will be a monthly artist’s date that drops into your inbox, with a different theme each month and creative ideas to help you keep your inspiration basket full of lovely things. If you are interested, I my email newsletter is the best way to keep up to date. There’s a box at the side, and on the homepage. I’ll also send you my free mini course Crafted Colours, which shows you how to make colour schemes from your photos.
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