"You're not lazy, you're blocked."

Week 9 the Artist's Way.

Photo by Maria Cappelli on Unsplash

“Blocked artists are not lazy. They are blocked.” Julia Cameron

Working through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron has been… well, a journey. A scribbly, soul-searching, occasionally weepy, often delightful journey. I’ve written reams of Morning Pages, survived a few existential Artist Dates, and this week – Week 9 – hit me squarely in the chest.

Because here’s the headline:
You’re not lazy. You’re blocked.

This week is about Creative U-Turns – those maddening moments of self-sabotage when you're just about to break through… and instead, you ghost your art.

Cameron writes:

“We usually commit creative hara-kiri either on the eve of or in the wake of a first creative victory. The glare of success … can send the recovering artist scurrying back into the cave of self-defeat.”
– Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

In short: sometimes we fear our own momentum. And sometimes, being blocked comes with unexpected benefits—sympathy, safety, excuses. As Cameron says:

“Have compassion. Creative U-Turns are always born from fear – fear of success or fear of failure. It doesn’t really matter which. The net result is the same.”

Creative U-Turns: What Are Yours?

One of the key exercises this week is to list your own Creative U-Turns—especially the ones that still sting.

Cameron encourages us to forgive ourselves for these moments. The truth is, if the desire is still in you—even if it's been buried for decades—it’s not too late. That project, that idea, that part of you is still alive.

Week 9 Tools & Exercises

Here are a few of my favourite tools from this week’s chapter:

1. List Your Creative U-Turns

Write them all down. Big and small. The novel you didn’t finish. The guitar lessons you quit. The blog you abandoned after post #2. Then write this over the list:
“I forgive myself.”

2. Affirmations for the Blocked Artist

Cameron suggests writing personal affirmations that act as emotional scaffolding when the fear kicks in.

My favourite is:

“Just take the baby step and then we’ll have cake!” (Yes, all out bribery!)
You can print them out, stick them to your mirror, sketchbook, or desktop background.

3. Choose an Artist Totem

Cameron suggests keeping a physical object near your workspace—something small and loveable, like a figurine, doll or trinket—that serves as a guardian of your inner artist. Every time you see it, remember to protect your creativity with tenderness.

There’s a live call today at 1pm.

Do join us if you can.

Suzy x