Making Time for Creative Treats: Why our inner artist needs an escape.

As I pack a small case for Marrakesh, squeezing in just the essentials to leave space for treasures, I’m reminded of something we so often forget: creativity thrives when we give it space to breathe.

This trip isn’t work. It’s not for a shoot or a deadline. It’s for my husband’s big 50 and we’ve not been away in 6 years. 

It’s also a creative treat for me -an artist date on a grand scale. If you’ve ever read The Artist’s Way, you’ll know that making time for these moments isn’t indulgent; it’s essential. We can’t expect fresh ideas and inspiration to flow if we never step away from the day-to-day. But I’ve been very inconsistent with mine.

What’s an Artist Date?

Julia Cameron describes an Artist Date as a solo adventure designed to nurture your creative spirit. It doesn’t have to be a big trip—an hour at a gallery, a walk with a camera in hand, or even flipping through beautiful books at a quiet café can do the trick. The point is to step outside routine and invite in something new.

Why It Matters for Photography (and Creativity in General)

Photography isn’t just about knowing your camera settings—it’s about seeing. The way light falls, the textures, the unexpected colour combinations in the street. When we step into new surroundings (or even just shift how we look at familiar ones), we recharge our creative eye.

If you’re feeling uninspired in your work, whether that’s photography, business, or another creative pursuit, ask yourself: when was the last time you fed your creativity? Not for a project, not to be productive—just for the joy of it.

Permit yourself to escape

You don’t have to fly to Marrakesh (though I highly recommend it!). But what’s one small creative treat you could plan for yourself this week? An afternoon off, an early morning with your camera before emails take over, a visit somewhere that sparks joy?

Remember that the best work often comes after a little space to play in a world that values constant output.

I’ll be back soon, hopefully with a camera roll full of textures, colours, and light—things I never would have seen if I hadn’t made time to look.

What will you make time for?