Do you remember a creative pursuit that gave you joy in past years?

Or, do you feel the urge to develop a new creative interest?

If your answer is “yes” to either of these questions, you’ll find inspiration in the book It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again by Julia Cameron. This book builds on Cameron’s best-selling guidebook to rediscovering and exercising creativity, The Artist’s Way. The good news for us back forty-ers: It’s Never Too Late applies the concepts from The Artist’s Way specifically to people at midlife.

Have you heard the old adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”? I feel like that applies to my discovery of Cameron’s books. I crossed paths with her work several times before I took the initiative to see what it’s all about. Years ago, while at a yoga retreat, I remember hearing about an upcoming seminar on creativity that would be taught by Cameron. Then, I began to come across her books while browsing through countless bookstores. And most recently, one of my favorite health and wellness sites, Mind Body Green, included The Artist’s Way in a listing of top inspirational books.

That last touchpoint with Cameron inspired me to action. It coincided with a time in my life when I had a break in employment while managing our move from Vermont to Virginia. While settling the new house, I was doing a lot of reading on personal development and reflecting on my goals, hoping to apply any new insights toward a more rewarding future. After seeking out The Artist’s Way at our local library,  I discovered It’s Never Too Late, which seemed more appropriate to my mid-50s life stage. (Tip: You first may want to take a look at a library copy to make sure this is the book for you. If you decide to move forward, purchasing a copy is best because to fully reap the book’s benefits, you’ll need to have it in hand for several months.)

Cameron suggests journaling daily, planning a weekly Artist’s Date to explore personal interests, taking a walk twice a week to enjoy reflective time alone, and writing a memoir by following the book’s prompts to revisit your life in increments. Each chapter of It’s Never Too Late aims to ignite a different aspect of creativity, such as wonder, freedom, purpose, and joy, and gently prod the reader to identify and follow their dreams, whatever those might be.

As I write this, I’m about twelve weeks into journaling and writing my memoir (next up: my teenage years, yikes). Writing the journal and memoir have brought back many memories of enjoyable creative time with friends and family over the years. These memories include working a glass cutter with my grandmother’s guidance to make *plenty* of pencil holders out of bottles and participating in yearly pre-holiday crafting marathons with our neighbors when I was growing up. In following Cameron’s guidance, I’ve broadened my perspective on what creativity brings to our lives and muted the voice of my inner critic in order to let the words flow daily on my notebook’s pages.

I have not been on any Artist’s Dates, although I did make a wish list of destinations and hope to get on track with those outings soon. And the twice weekly solo walk for reflection? Well, I reflect as well as I can with our 60-plus pound dog walking me. If you stay on task with the book’s guidance through a weekly commitment of a few hours, you’ll wrap up in about 12 weeks. So I’m a bit behind schedule. (My husband no doubt recalls the … ummmm, year? … it took me to finish Dr. Andrew Weil’s 8 Weeks To Optimum Health.)

Am I catching a few mumblings of “But I’m not creative”? That’s simply not true, according to Cameron. She’s convinced that “the well of colorful inspiration” lives in each of us. In It’s Never Too Late, Cameron shares personal stories of people in midlife, many of whom seem to feel a bit uncertain – if not downright doubtful – about creativity’s role in their lives. Despite their misgivings, following her plan encourages them to begin rekindling old dreams and uncovering new ones. It’s inspirational reading.

Dancing, writing, acting, woodworking, gardening, fly tying, crafting, cooking, photography, decorating, making music, painting … the opportunities for creative discovery and expression are wide ranging. Take a look at Cameron’s book. You just may set off on a path toward a more joyful and rewarding life by unveiling your creative self … it’s never too late!

Have you had experience with Julia Cameron’s books? Please share your story in a comment.

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Stretch your mind slowly so you don’t pull something.

Back 40 Optimist Kristopher

🙂

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