Claiming Space for My Creativity

In Week 11 of The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron suggests creating a sacred space of your own—an altar for your artist self. A place that honours who I am creatively and emotionally? That felt worth exploring.

I already had a three-tier glass shelf that I wasn't using, so this week, I gave it new energy. I rearranged and redecorated it with intention. It’s not a shrine to my artist identity—it’s a mirror to my whole self.

Cameron’s original list includes all kinds of suggestions: a photo of your younger self, affirmations, candles, favourite creative tools, and small spiritual tokens. But what she really encourages is building a space that evolves with you.

Here’s what’s on mine:

• A kindergarten class photo—to reconnect with the child in me who was already feeling, already creating.
• A few of my paint-night creations. I’m not a painter—but I am a playful creator, and these canvases came from Artist Date nights I planned for myself to spark joy and creativity.
• My two children’s books: 10 Little Life Lessons, and a custom story I wrote and designed for my great-niece Emma, featuring her as the main character. One is my legacy, the other was a gift of love.
• A plant with a tiny sign that reads, “The root of all happiness is gratefulness.” Preach.
• A paw print from Huny, the dog who rescued me just as much as I rescued him.
• A stone Buddha face—chipped, imperfect, grounded. Like me.
• A decorative box that holds space for something I’ll talk more about in the next blog. Let’s just say it has to do with letting go.

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It’s not just a space for creativity. It’s a space for remembering. For gratitude. For becoming.

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