Chapter 3: Recovering a Sense of Power
The Artist's Way Journey
Welcome to the third post in a 12-week series dedicated to exploring creativity and artistic identity through Julia Cameron’s 1994 course The Artist’s Way! Whether you are completing the course alongside me, joining us in the future, or here to learn from my insights and reflections, the following series of posts will remain a safe space for discussion and reflection wherever you are in your artistic journey.
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In Chapter 3, we came face-to-face with our anger and our shame.
“This week may find you dealing with unaccustomed bursts of energy and sharp peaks of anger, joy, and grief. You are coming into your power as the illusory hold of your previously accepted limits is shaken. You will be asked to consciously experiment with spiritual open-mindedness.”
Reflecting on Chapter 3
Chapter 3, Recovering a Sense of Power, has been the most rewarding thus far. The topics were heavier, though, we all know I don’t shy away from those. Anger, growth, and particularly shame were all covered in this chapter and happen to be the leading themes I explored in my poetry collection. I spent the week with old friends.
“Anger points the way, not just the finger.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, p. 62
Anger is fiery, visceral, and unmistakable. It flushes your cheeks, chokes your windpipe, sets fire to the bases of your lungs, turns your knuckles a cold, streaking white. Anger is an emotion that begs to be felt, and, more often than not, demands it is heard.
Anger’s typically negative connotations are challenged here. Cameron reminds us that anger is the emotion, not the action. She offers a masterful depiction of anger as a prophet when she asserts that anger is action’s invitation. Anger shouts at us when something is wrong, pushing us to correct our course. Anger bubbles when we betray ourselves, calling for us to act in our best interests, not the interests of others. Reading this has caused an incredibly timely shift in my thinking.
“The act of making art exposes a society to itself. Art brings things to light. It illuminates us. It sheds light on our lingering darkness. It casts a beam into the heart of our darkness and says, “See?”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, p.67
Shame is also explored in Chapter 3, namely its sources and its aggravating ability to block us creatively. I have seen my own shame stop me dead in my creative tracks time and time again. “Oh the embarrassment!”, it whines when I contemplate filming a video. “We will never live this down!” it warns as I unfasten the ties confining my vulnerability. What rubbish. Shame is learned, this much is true. Recovering is essential to overcoming the iron grip that roots you to the spot. Countering your sources of shame with the affirmations we learned and the kindness with which we’re holding ourselves is an act of artistic rebellion.
Don’t you want to be a rebel?
“As a creative being, you will be more productive when coaxed than when bullied.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, p. 75
The above-mentioned quote needs to be seared into my lizard brain.
I will be more productive when coaxed than when bullied
I will be more productive when coaxed than when bullied
I will be more productive when coaxed than when bullied
I will be more productive when coaxed than when bullied!
I am known to be incredibly hard on myself. Call it perfectionism. Call it my hamartia. The standards I hold myself to are far higher than those I hold others to. I will berate myself with a venomous cruelty I wouldn’t dare whisper at others. Especially to those who are just. trying. to follow. their dreams.
Cause that’s all each of us is trying to do, isn’t it? To make room in our dystopian lives for a small spark of creativity. To coax the embers into a small flame and keep it burning despite it all. Protecting that flame is integral — even from the cold bucket of water you hold above your own head.
So far my Artist Dates have been very informal. This week was no different; I have a beautiful vintage rolltop desk that I bought specifically with the intention of turning into my writing desk. I write everywhere, but creating a space to focus entirely on my craft was incredibly alluring for my little scatterbrain. Over the months, I’ve just been using my gaming/admin space and the desk has regrettably turned into a dumping ground. This week I spent a morning cleaning and organising it, but also filming the process. My small act of self-care/intentionality/rebellion weaved into one.
What was yours?
Chapter 3 Check-In:
How did you go with your morning pages?
Did you have an artist date this week? What did you do? How did it feel?
What stood out to you this week? Did you learn something new?
I hope you’ve been enjoying this series so far!
Let me know if you’re following along and how you like the series below. If you have a moment, interacting with a like or share is so very helpful for getting my writing to new, curious eyes. It goes without saying — thank you, thank you, thank you.
Til the next chapter,
Caitlin ❧