I’m a few days away from finishing the 100-day project. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s an initiative to spark your creativity by choosing something to do for 100 consecutive days. It can be anything that inspires you and I chose to draw emotions and feelings.
My intention of engaging in this initiative was to build a creative habit and emotional awareness after reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits. I wanted to put into practice all of these new techniques and see myself in a more creative light. While there was initially some resistance, after day 10, sitting down with the same sized paper, colours, pens and purpose became almost an automatic but profound pursuit. During this time, I explored more than 100 emotions, feelings and sensations and now feel that 100 may not be enough to describe the human condition.
In reaching the 100day mark, I must admit I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m looking forward to having completed the 100-day challenge, seeing all of the pieces together, celebrating the achievement and get back that extra time in the evening that has been reserved for many weeks. On the other hand, an ending is approaching and the sense of community and encouragement, that I felt from others like me who embarked on this journey, will soon dissolve and transform into something unknown. An opportunity to try something new, start afresh perhaps.
Whatever comes next, I can surely say that the 100dayproject has been a conversation and space to embody my creative self. I have learned that building a creative practice takes commitment, self-encouragement, discipline and courage. Leaving excuses at the door and limiting options will take you a long way. Putting yourself out there is never easy, and the work will never be “perfect”, but that’s not the point anyway. Making space for “the creative you” is all about embracing the potential and making it happen. Doing the work, day after day, puts you on the road to mastery, so if you don’t start now, when?
References & going deeper:
James Clear. An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery, 2018.
Bec Evans. Prolikifo Blog - How to build a daily creative habit. Apr 3, 2017