How Hopequesting Can Change Your Life

by Rochelle Melander

We all know about doom scrolling. Despite setting the intention to take time away from Facebook, I found ways to doomscroll.

When I heard about hope questing, I liked the idea. Instead of scrolling to get updates on what’s falling apart, scroll with purpose. Connect online with friends. Check in with people whose messages give you hope. In other words, find the bright, hopeful corners of the Internet and dwell there.

But you still have to scroll past the doom and gloom to get to the hope. Ugh.

I’m going to suggest a different way to participate in hope questing. Get offline and go on an artist’s date.

In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron encourages readers to take a weekly artist’s date. I love the idea but rarely take time to do it. This year, the winter has been long and cold. Just leaving the house and braving the icy sidewalks feels daring. But in these dark winter days, more than ever, I need to take time for artist’s dates. As Cameron says, “Always, when I return to the practice of Artist’s Dates, my sense of wellbeing increases and my work deepens and enlarges.” Walking in the World: The Practical Art of Creativity by Julia Cameron, p 10) Here are five fun and free ways to nourish your creative spirit on an artist’s date:

The Kitchen Table

Get out your art and craft supplies and make something. Don’t worry about being fancy or professional—all you need for this activity is paper and crayons or colored pencils. Scribble and enjoy! (Pro Tip: Try playing with Zentangle, a meditative doodling practice. You need a pen and paper—that’s it!)

The Library

Visit your local public library and wander around until you find a section that piques your curiosity. Grab a book. Repeat the process (wander, get curious, grab a book) until you have a stack of books. Find a cozy corner of the library and page through the book much like you would wander through an art museum. Stop on the pages that intrigue you, skip the ones that don’t.

The Music Device

My son is a musician and insists that the best way to understand an album is to listen straight through, from beginning to end. There’s nothing like listening to the creativity of others to restore your own creativity. Besides, music reduces stress and improves memory and focus. Choose an album that you love and listen from beginning to end. Or make a playlist of songs to spark your creativity. (Online streaming services and YouTube make this easy!)

The Junk Store

Maybe my favorite part of visiting craft fairs is seeing how artists repurpose everyday objects to make art. Though I work with words rather than stuff, I like visiting second-hand stores. Sometimes I think about how I could makeover old items. At other times, I’m happy to just wander and admire the art of everyday things—dishware, fancy shoes, and books.

The Zoo, Aquarium, or Humane Society

Zootherapy is a thing. Caring for animals has many health benefits. But even visiting them at a zoo or aquarium can make us feel better. Being around animals, petting them Take an afternoon off to visit the animals or hang out with your own. (Can’t get to the zoo, try the new Panda Cam from the National Zoo or Cornell’s bird cam)

Bonus: Go to the movies!

Believe it or not, going to the movies is good for you. Sinking into a movie theater seat next to your neighbors can reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase your emotional intelligence. This winter, Professor Shannon Mancus has designed a public program called Films to Fight Fascism. Get your friends together, watch, and discuss! (Subscribe to her Substack or follow her on Instagram.)

Could Hopequesting Change Your Life?

Could hope questing change your life? Absolutely. Every one of these activities has emotional, physical, or psychological benefits. Feel free to add more outings that fight fascism, like protesting, making red hats, attending reading groups, connecting you’re your community, or feeding the hungry.

List 20 activities and places that you could do for an artist’s date and start planning. Remember, you can do an artist date without spending a dime—take a walk in the woods, attend an author’s book reading, or visit a building with great architecture. I’m guessing this small act will have big results for you.