A tried and tested solution for creative block
From writers to musicians, actors to designers, The Artist's Way has developed a cult following since its first release 30 years ago.
By Jorinde Croese
You’ve probably already heard of The Artist’s Way. Maybe a friend mentioned it during lockdown. Or you’ve seen the 25th anniversary edition floating around with Martin Scorsese’s blurb on the back. Perhaps you’ve heard Doechii rave about it. It's possible you tried Morning Pages once, then swiftly forgot about them.
It's also possible you’ve been quietly scribbling three pages every morning for years. Many people have. Julia Cameron’s book has become a cult classic, and its following is growing again, especially among those navigating creative industries like fashion.
Originally pitched as “a spiritual path to higher creativity,” The Artist’s Way is a 12-week course in creative recovery. It’s part workbook, part self-help, and yes, part spiritual text – complete with affirmations and inspirational quotes from everyone from Toni Morrison to Plato. But look past the language, and what Cameron offers is a surprisingly practical method for reconnecting with creative intuition, especially when you’ve lost it.
And let’s be honest: Who hasn’t felt blocked at some point?
Whether you’re a designer struggling through a third round of portfolio edits, a writer staring at a blinking cursor, or a photographer stuck between pitches and unpaid test shoots, creative droughts can feel deeply personal. Cameron argues otherwise: creative block is not a personal flaw. Instead, she sees it as a wound that can be healed. Her book, developed after years of teaching workshops, proposes that creativity is not only natural but recoverable.
The system
Cameron developed The Artist’s Way after a breakdown (and breakup) – a post-divorce spiral following her marriage to film legend Martin Scorsese. Battling alcoholism, she found solace in the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. That structure, based on surrender, inventory, and spiritual openness, deeply informs the rhythm of The Artist’s Way. There’s an almost devotional quality to it: a contract you sign with yourself, weekly chapters to read, and two core non-negotiables: Morning Pages and Artist Dates.