I stumbled across The 100 Day Project on Instagram and also one of my classmates in art class is doing one. As I love a challenge (I’ve done numerous photo challenges) and I need to incorporate art more regularly into my life, I’ve decided to do my own 100 Day Project.
What is The 100 Day Project?
It’s simply to choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share it online. The OFFICIAL annual 2021 #The100DayProject is actually over with the next one not due to start until 31 January 2022. However, it does say the following in the FAQ on their website:
What if I miss the start date?
Any day is a good day to start your own #The100DayProject. Try reaching out to a few friends or posting on the social platform of your choice looking for co-participants.
I hadn’t planned on reaching out for co-participants, but if anyone reading this would like to do a project along with me, I’d certainly welcome it!
Why do I want to do ‘The 100 Day Project’?
For a few reasons:
- I love a challenge!
- I’ve only been doing art on the days I go to art class and I want it to become a more regular part of my life.
- I want to find my ‘thing’. What kind of art ‘sparks joy’ within me and the creativity flows and comes naturally to me?
- I want to shake off the perfectionism that stops me achieving my dreams all the time.
There are also all the benefits of Creativity, some of which you can read about in this ‘Creativity‘ post I wrote in early February this year.
I think that as the project goes along, I will find myself leaning more towards one form of art than another. This process will not only be great practice for me but it will help me find what I enjoy the most and what I’m best at.
When & what will I be doing for my ‘The 100 Day Project’?
I’ve decided to start on Thursday 1 July 2021 (tomorrow!) and the 100th day will be Saturday 9 October 2021. To be completely transparent, my plan has been to start the week before my 1 July start date (I’ve started) so that I have few done in advance to provide me with a bit of a buffer should there be days where fitting in doing some art is impossible (and there are some days like that).
I plan on doing ANYTHING creative. I will of course do some watercolours (my favourite). I have an interest in Zentangling so have been watching a few YouTube videos and will give it a go – basic patterns to start with and then hopefully mixing the patterns into more complex pieces. I will do sketching with graphite and/or charcoal and I’ll do mixed media. I may even do some crochet here and there rather than art if the mood takes me. Depending on what new things I learn about in upcoming art classes (we’re on a break now – next module starts on 13 July) you never know what I might throw in the mix!
Some tips on the official website say the following:
Once you have an idea, here are some practical tips:
Make sure you can do it in 5-10 minutes a day. More time is nice if you have it, but if it’s a really time-consuming project you probably won’t do it every day.
I don’t think there is anything creative I do that takes 5-10 minutes so mine will most definitely take longer. However, the key here is to not place expectations on myself of producing wonderful PERFECT works of art! Perfect being the key word. This is going to be good practice at letting go of my perfectionism. Wish me luck!
Depending on how much time I have available for art on the day will determine what kind of ‘creativity’ I choose and whether it is detailed and quite good, or basic and very average. Trust me, there will be a lot of average! No perfectionism though Min!
Where can you see my ‘The 100 Day Project’?
If you’re interested in following my 100 Day Project, you’ll be able to see it over on my Instagram, and that will feed through to my Facebook & Twitter. I will also do regular round up posts here on the blog. I haven’t decided how frequently yet – weekly/fortnightly? Still thinking on that one! By the way, you may notice I have added a dedicated tab for ‘The 100 Day Project’ in my top menu (2nd from the right). You’ll be able to click on that and see every post assigned to it. They will include this one and all the round up posts (showing the art I do each day of the project) to come.
If I enjoy this 100 days of creativity, I may even participate in the official #The100DayProject that kicks off next January. We shall see!
I hope you’ll enjoy following along with my 100 days of creativity!
Ciao for now,
20 Comments
I can credit the official #100DayProject for seeing me through to finishing a mosaic I began a month after I retired in 2014. It took having that deadline to get the project finished. So glad I did. Not only did I relish the feeling of completing the project but I love my end product!!
Will look forward to following along with you as you being this season of 100 creative days and adventures.
I never knew you’d done the #100dayproject Leslie! And you did a mosaic – how wonderful! I dabbled in mosaic many, many years ago. I mosaiced two stepping stones for the garden and loved the whole process. I still have them but they’re a bit worse for wear now. It made a lot of mess though – so I realised I really needed a dedicated space for it. I’m still waiting for that dedicated space! Thank you so much for your support. xo
This is great! I’ve seen this floating around for a few years now. I think the overall goal is to get something done and to create a habit, isn’t it? I have been trying to write every weekday morning for 20 mins and it tends to stretch to 30. The main thing is, I’m creating a habit that is hopefully sustainable. Good luck with your 100-day project, Min. I can’t wait to see all the creative things you do!
Thanks Sanch! Yes I guess the purpose is different for different folks but for me it is for multiple reasons – to loosen me up and ease off the perfectionism, to give myself more self-care time out time to be mindful and in the now etc, and to discover what I like doing the most and what I might be best at, plus all the other benefits from creativity. I guess creating a habit might be a good thing too as I do want to make art a more regular part of my life!
A great idea to start your own 100-day project, Min. I look forward to seeing your creations. I take photos and write a bit every day as my current creative hobbies. #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie. I’ve moved through so many different forms of creativity over the last 9 years – photography, writing, crochet, art etc. I’m a typical Gemini – lots of things on the go and drift from one thing to another depending on my mood. It frustrates me sometimes as I’d like to settle and become expert on something but have to accept that this is me – a dabbler! Hopefully I can settle at some point!
This is a great project Min. I’m looking forward to your progress pics. I’m sure that creating a habit by working on your art every day, will also improve your skills You will also be creating a calm space for yourself each day. And that’s a fabulous thing to do for your wellbeing
Thanks Jennifer – yes to all the things you listed + more! Wellbeing is a priority during these strange days we live in now. xo
Hi Min – I’ve been enjoying your little artwork and creative FB posts that have been popping up in my feed – your Audrey Hepburn one was particularly good. I really like that you’re doing something that brings you joy every day for the next few months – I’ll be practicing my hand lettering as often as possible and hope the next example I add to my Sept catch up post shows some improvement on the one I included in my July post 🙂
Hi Leanne – thank you! I hope I’m not driving everyone mad with all my art posts! Thanks for the compliment on my Audrey drawing. I was very pleased with how that one turned out! I’m really enjoying *having* to do something creative every day. It forces me to stop (doing jobs) and take some time out and that is a good thing. I’m glad you’re enjoying your hand lettering and I’m looking forward to seeing your improvements in your September catch up post!
What an intriguing Idea. I hope it brings you a lot of joy and fulfillment. My creative pursuits are mainly writing and cooking but I have also had a go at colouring in and paint by numbers. Good luck, regards Christina
Thanks Christina – I enjoy writing too (here on the blog). Cooking – sometimes but can’t say is a love or a passion. I’d be happy to have a chef! lol I love colouring too – have since I was a kid and paint by numbers I do on an app on my phone! The real thing is much more fun though. A friend of mine has done some beautiful paint by numbers and had them framed. Hope you have a great week!
I like the sound of this Zentangling. This challenge sounds fun. I think it will spark creativity for you, even if your first project isn’t necessarily the one – one thing leads to another, as they say! (Not saying your first project won’t be the one, but the idea that you can be Fluid is great!)
I’ve been intrigued by Zentangling but interestingly enough it is the thing the most challenges my perfectionism. It’s the getting the lines equal and straight and the same gaps between etc etc. I’ll do more but I actually can feel stressed when doing it which is not the aim of the game and shows that I have more work to do on loosening up and relaxing and letting go of that pesky perfectionism! I think this project will highlight what I enjoy the most and what I’m good at and what I don’t like so much. Who knows where it might lead but I think it is a good thing for me. 🙂
Such a great idea and you are so creative the project is perfect for you. My creativity is very much limited to words but you are so visual – art and photography. I hope you enjoy it and find it fulfilling. I’ve seen some pics you’ve put up so far and they’re amazing.
Thanks so much Deb! I do seem to have a creative streak within me and I enjoy it so much. I love to be productive! I just wish I could become *really good* at something. I tend to drift from one thing to anther and have for many years now – e.g. photography, crochet, art etc. Maybe that is how I will always be but it’d be nice to have one thing that I can become really good at.
How exciting! I always admire people who do projects like these because I have no staying power. I can’t wait to see what you create 🙂
Thank you Sammie! You do so have staying power. You’ve blogged for how long? How many half marathons have you run in? How fabulous at cooking are you? You’re cleverer than you think. xo
Good on you Min. I am loving seeing your creativity come to the fore. You already had it you just weren’t using it all. The lessons with others have contributed and now, you are doing this challenge on line.
I was tempted to join in but I have also committed to the Index Card a Day Challenge which goes till 31 July. I have been doing a lot more independent and fun creations in a number of ways, challenging myself and enjoying the present moments of being an art journaller.
Thank you for linking up for #LifeThisWeek last Monday. I am always pleased to see my old(er) and new(er) blogging friends link up. Your comments make my Mondays rock. Next week, the optional prompt is Self Care Stories. I hope to see you there too. Denyse.
You are very talented Min and I’m loving seeing all your art/creative works. Well done and i hope you find your ‘thing’.