My Ideal Artist’s Routine
On alchemizing my tools to best serve me
Photo by @haylzbehindthelens
I’m taking everything I’ve learned on my healing journey since 2012 and making it my own. I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best healers (for me). I worked with a bipolar coach on how to navigate my illness, unravled my complex trauma with somatic experiencing, healed my gut with food with my function medicine practitioner/nutritionist, and relearned how to move my body in safe ways with a z-health trainer. I spent nine months learning how to embrace my creative genius. I explored the importance and benefits of acupuncture and eastern medicine. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in therapy over the years. I’ve read books on rituals and habits to be most productive and efficient plus dozens of self-help books. (My list can go on so I’ll make this another post at some point with all my resources).
But after 13 years, I hit healing fatigue. I’m sick of dieting culture (I’ve switch to Intuitive Eating). I’m sick of the toxic workout culture (I’ve switched to intuitive movement). I’m sick of following influencers, trends and downloading apps. I don’t want to do things because people have told me it’s what’s best for me anymore. I’ve collected enough data (I used to track via spreadsheets) to know what has positively helped me and to what degree in terms of mood improvement. This is the point where I want to be in control and say, “I need a break! Thank you for all that you’ve taught me and I will continue to learn, but for now, I got this.” (I am still seeing some of these practitioners for support, but I’ve moved from weekly to monthly.)
A couple weekends ago, it clicked.
What is my favorite way to start the day that makes me feel empowered? What are my ideal rituals and routines? How do I want to move my body in ways that feel juicy and delicious? What foods and beverages do I want to consume that make me feel good in my mind, body, soul? What are the things I can do to live in my POWER? How can I make this fun and playful?
So this is what I’ve been doing. Every morning, I create my routine that will best serve me for my day. It has room for flexibilty and changes, but there are a few core things. Wake up, empty dishwasher, drink warm lemon salt water, light my candles, pray and meditate, pull a card, read from “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” or “We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something” and move (yoga, mobility, and Radio Taiso).
Side note: What is Radio Taiso? It’s a three and half minute long Japanese calisthenics routine from 1928 that is still broadcasted on the radio every morning at 6:30 AM. It involves 13 movements to wake up 200 bones and 400 muscles. People of all ages and body types can do it. It reminds me of my students and sports day which makes me laugh every time I do it. The importance of play and fun.
After breakfast and getting ready, I walk Lola (and Bryan too) to a coffee shop to get our morning sunshine. Studio time can vary from creating something new, finishing a project, creating with others, or taking myself on an art date—museum, art store, or read a book about an artist. This month’s teachers are Mary Blair’s “Magic Color Flair” for art, and Annie Leibovitz’s “The Early Years” for photography.
To end the day, I capture sunset, eat a healthy dinner and dessert, work more or watch a show, drink warm tea with my meds, take a bath/shower, maybe stretch more, and read in bed. I also love to write three things minimum that I am grateful for (and how they made me feel for extra bonus points). I love falling asleep to a sound bath or meditation.
Why am I sharing this with you?
I used to believe in things like, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” and that creativity only visited me from the hours of midnight to 3 AM. If you knew how far I’ve come, you’d be celebrating with me too. I am so freaking proud of myself for reaching this alchemized phase. To live from a place of “I must do this!” instead of someone else telling me, “You should do this.” This feels spectacular. I earned to be here. To have the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. To live a life where I wake up and ask myself, “What do you want to create today and what healthy habits can support this?”
The heaviness of the mundane and ordinary used to bore me. The fear of an ordinary life. But now through all the work I’ve done, I’ve found beauty in the every day. I love seeing how the shadows differ from summer to fall. I love noticing what foods my body craves and make up meals accordingly. Playing with my food. Healing my relationship with it. I was dieting on and off since high school. That’s 30+ years of an unhealthy relationship with food, weight, and body image.
I hope others can read this and rebuild trust with their minds/bodies/souls. To listen and be still with yourself to find the answers you seek within. To not give up on your journey and keep trying to grow and heal, taking rest and breaks when needed.
I want to also end this with sharing one of my meditations in hopes to show, not tell. This was taught to me by Marisa during our “Live Your Creative Genius” Program.
I saw my ancestors on a beach. They sent me off to go on an important journey. I floated in my boat to a remote island (Yes, I am Moana). Here on the island was a simple, smooth rock cave surrounded by swaying palm trees on a hill. Lacking any signs it was a sacred temple, but I knew as I’ve been here before in previous meditations. I hiked up and when inside, I light a torch and the altar in the middle. The altar had an opening like a cenote above it so the smoke could go out of it and natural sunlight filled the blackened cave. I waited. Finally thousands of women emerged dressed in white cloaks. I knew they were me and I was them in past lives and present. There was no leader amoungst them, but one spoke.
Why are you here?
I am here for my permanent healing.
We see. During your studio time today, you will be tested on your mind, body, and soul. If you pass, you will be granted this wish. If you fail, you must keep searching for the answers you seek.
Thus began my studio time which included and not limited to: moving my body, singing, dancing, making lunch and weird drinks, cleaning, writing, watching sunset, creating a playlist, a bath. I followed my body/mind/soul’s cues and took breaks when needed. At the end of the evening, I sat back down to meditate and see my results.
You have passed our tests. We will grant you your permanent healing slowly over the course of 3 months. If you continue to listen to mind/body/soul, you will be healed by your 40th birthday. If you do not continue to listen, you will not.
I hugged them and they sent me off on my journey. Their gift to me was this message:
You have everything you need to succeed.
Song to listen to understand further: a thousand different women.
