Lately I’ve been doing a lot of strategic work — building a small business and outlining operations for my creative practice. The structure is valuable, but I haven’t been energized by it. I’m proud that I’ve been doing better with practical things, but my days still aren’t feeling how I want them to.
Instead of forcing myself to be more productive, I decided to return to regularly scheduled Artist Dates. I’m working to rebuild the habit of courting my creativity.
A friend suggested I check out Habitat ReStore on Wilkinson Blvd. It’s been a while since I’ve been, so I decided to make that my artist date.
’Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers open to the public. They offer a wide range of new and gently used home goods, often at prices below retail, with varied brands and styles. Proceeds from ReStore sales support the work of Habitat for Humanity.’
As someone who likes to build and flip things, Habitat ReStore is a great field trip. It’s filled with old and new items that are very inexpensive. It’s a place to find something to upcycle and resell, or decor for a home or art studio.
It feels like a thrift store. Some finds are expected; others feel completely random — like small packs of shampoo and conditioner tucked between cabinet doors and tile samples.
As I walked around, I felt inspired to build things — especially by combining unexpected items into something unique, practical, or beautiful. It reminded me that having what I want doesn’t have to be out of reach. If I let go of everything needing to be brand new — or using consumption to signal success — I can use creativity to create what I desire without breaking the bank.
I was also reminded that sometimes you have to move when an opportunity presents itself, because it doesn’t last forever. When I entered the store, there was a section of large mirrors. One in particular was big, ornate, and gorgeous — something I would love to create art on. It was only $60. I hadn’t planned to buy anything, so I avoided the impulse purchase and told myself I’d decide at the end of the date. By the time I circled back, it was gone. I don’t necessarily regret not buying it, but it would have been a worthwhile investment.
I’m also trying to get better at documenting my creative process — including my artist dates. At one point, though, I realized trying to tell a full story with photos was overwhelming and pulling me out of the experience. I remembered how I documented my IKEA artist date (which I’ve decided will become a quarterly ritual). I chose to focus on two things:
Photograph what inspires me.
Photograph anything that feels visually interesting — whether or not it tells a specific story about the day.
The images I usually share are the second type.
Another thing I’ve been wanting to explore — and probably still will — is how visually comforting I find abundance. I love seeing large quantities of frequently used items. Because of how the ReStore functions, there are certain categories where you can find things in bulk. I took a few photos of that.
This artist date reminded me how much I enjoy making things. I should absolutely visit places like this more often. I’m not committing yet, but it might be fun to buy one item each week and turn it into an art piece.
More than anything, I enjoyed giving myself permission to simply enjoy a space — without a goal beyond being there and seeing what happened. What if a future artist date was simply going somewhere and waiting in line? Going to the DMV and people-watching for an afternoon. Sounds crazy, I know. But maybe.
My Artist Dates are how I court my work. How I stay in awe. How I remind myself that inspiration doesn’t always arrive dressed as a big idea. Sometimes it’s a brass hinge. Or noticing the patterns created by rugs hanging from a wall.
No audience.
No performance.
No productivity.
Just me, wandering a store, paying attention.
And for now, that’s enough.