When I started giving talks about my Skull-A-Day project, I quickly realized that people weren’t just interested in seeing the skulls I made, they were inspired by my experiences and the things I learned about creative inspiration. So I decided to create a way to help more people have the daily project experience, and more important, get past their excuses for not starting projects themselves (i.e. I don’t know what to make, I don’t know how to start, I don’t know what a blog is, etc.).
Thus was born my book, 365: A Daily Creativity Journal. At the start of the book I said that I wanted to hear from people who took on the daily creative challenge. The response has been overwhelming and amazing. Almost immediately after the book was published I started getting a constant stream of people sharing what they were doing and sending responses to my two-question interview: 1. Why did you decide to do this project? 2. How has doing a yearlong, daily project affected your life?
The answers to the second question have been the most moving for me, and I thought you’d find them inspiring as well. In no particular order, here are a few cool recent projects with the answers their creators gave:
A Heart A Day
Phoebe Berg
“I’m surprised to find that over the course of these 12 days it has become easier and easier to come up with ideas. The first day was such a struggle, kicking around ideas all day, but yesterday, the idea just came to me. Just image what day 100 will be like! But the really wonderful effect of this daily project is the feeling of accomplishment I have every day, because I created something, however simple, and put it out in the world.”
365 Squarey Monsters
Kurt Marquart
“Being creative is just like any exercise. Some days you have to force yourself to do the thing or you’ll just never be in the shape to do it. Every time you finish you’re loaded with endorphins…. Aside from the benefit of accumulating an archive of characters, I’ve felt it get easier to approach every single day. That’s the real benefit. That’s getting into creative shape.”
The Happy Homemaker
Madonna Dersh
“I tend to take a long time to create work that usually includes a lot of repetitious detail. My ‘work to finished product’ ratio is heavy on the side of labor. This project encourages me to work quickly without over-analyzing. I have freedom from reevaluation and doubt and have started creating in a way that is almost a habit. It is really liberating.”
The Dragon Project
Christiana Farabee
“Every day has become an adventure. I’m learning how to use technology, trying out a variety of mediums and seeking out opportunities to do new activities. . . . I’ve found that I’m more excited to learn than [to be] afraid of failing. That in itself is so exciting!!! I love that I’m making new friends, and I look forward to being inspired each day. It’s like waking up knowing that you’re going to receive a present. You can imagine how that’s changed the way I see my surroundings! I haven’t been doing this challenge quite two months yet and already I can’t picture my life without it.”
365 Two-Headed Cats
Pixie
“After quitting methamphetamine I found myself in an inspirational lull. After a few months my brain was eager to begin working on art again, but I had no idea where to start. I needed something that was small but huge at the same time. . . . . It’s only been 12 days, but my project has already made a huge difference on my world! I find myself inspired again, learning to do new things and gaining a sense of achievement every day. I’ve also begun to be social again, making stronger bonds with my new friends. This project is teaching me that sobriety can be fun, and that I can be an artistic genius without drugs. And most important, it’s helping me find myself.”
Interesting in doing your own project? Check out my post on making something every day. And keep in mind that on Monday, October 3, I’ll be in New York to teach my new class for The Hired Guns Academy on getting your creativity unstuck. Come join us.
