In her classic book, “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,” Julia Cameron offers readers twelve ways to recover their sense of self or inner creativity. According to this artist, nurturing one’s creative powers is a spiritual exercise–and an antidote to (mild) depression and anxiety. “I have seen lives transformed by the simple process of engaging the Great Creator in discovering and recovering our creative powers,” she writes in the introduction.

She began down her path of creativity by simply getting out of the way and letting the creative force work through her.

When you’re depressed, that’s not so easy. Not only are you in your own way, but an army of men and women are rallying in the street, yelling things like “You’re stupid! You’re lazy! You’re ugly! You’re a failure!” (at least that’s how it looks in my head).

So you need to hire an “affirmation” army to defeat the depression army before you even start to jot down a creative thought. However, cultivating that creative person is important (not that you have time to take on any more jobs). Because offering the world a true and honest piece of yourself does wonders for your mood.

Here’s something to try:

• Ask four friends to list your strengths. See if you are using those strengths in your present job. If not,
• Think about another job. Or, if you’re locked in for various reasons (which I very well understand), try to develop a hobby that uses your strengths.
• Begin with just ten minutes a day doing something creative: writing, drawing, knitting, scrap-booking, cooking, and see if it helps your mood.