100 days to spark and celebrate your creative practice

by ParentCo. April 05, 2015

EVERYONE HAS A CREATIVE DREAM, but few truly pursue their dreams.

Why?
  • Lack of time.
  • Lack of motivation (energy.)
  • Lack of focus.
Parents of course have extra demands on our time, energy and focus. Here at Parent Co. we've interviewed many prominent parents who, despite their success, continue to grapple with a creative work / family-life balance. Procrastinating on creative dreams is easy when your family is clamoring for your attention. But it doesn't have to be that way. The experiences of parenthood are often inspiring. And as the initial euphoria / exhaustion of raising a baby settles into the more manageable toddler and kid years, many parents crave expression and a return to pursuing their creative dreams. Later this year, we're launching a series designed specifically designed to help parents to get into a creative rhythm. In the meantime, we're encouraging parents everywhere to join the 100 Day Project starting on Monday, April 6. This project (which came to our attention via Amanda Levinson) is "a celebration of process that encourages everyone to participate in 100 days of making." (Note: If you find this after the 4/6 start date, you can still join in and catch up or finish later.) What does this mean? Simple: for 100 days you repeat making or doing something, and you share your process on Instagram every day along the way. Your 100 Days project can be creative (a painting, a sketch, written pages for a book, a song per day), silly (a song in the shower, a ridiculous poem, a prank) or even completely purpose driven (a fitness goal, a new health habit). According to The Great Discontent, "Who should participate? Anyone. Anyone who is hungry to jump-start their creative practice, who is curious about being part of a community that celebrates process, and those who are busy with work and family commitments, but searching for a bite-sized way to play creatively." The goal isn't a final product - the goal is showing up day after day. Put another way, it's about the discipline of showing up. It's about practice, strengthening your creative muscles, tuning up. This project uses Instagram to add social element to the project. After all, it's usually easier and more motivating to stick to a project when you're working and sharing with others.
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.'
Over the next 100 days, we're going to highlight the projects of parents taking part in this process. Follow these steps to participate:
  • Choose your action to perform or idea to celebrate for 100 days, starting on Monday, April 6 and ending Tuesday, July 14.
  • Create an Instagram account if you don't already have one.
  • Create your own 100-day hashtag (something like #100DaysOfDrawing, #100DaysOfDiscovery, or #100DaysofNature).
  • Announce your project on Instagram by posting an image to Instagram, along with your project’s unique hashtag, on or before April 6th.
  • Every day, post a shot (like a sketch for 100 Days of Drawing, a cool fact for 100 Days of Discovery, or a picture of your environment for 100 Days of Nature).
  • Use your hashtag and #The100DayProject in your captions.
  • Optionally tag us (parentco) in your shots, and we’ll share them with our community!
  • Follow Elle Luna and The Great Discontent on Instagram for project announcements, updates, and highlights.
  • Do this for 100 days, all the way until July 14; if you miss a day, catch up and keep going!
If you don't know what to do for your project, there are ideas on the Great Discontent's website. I recommend that you pick something that you love and is feasible to complete. I'm using my 100 days to make progress on a book I love working on, but always push aside to focus on other goals. Follow the hashtag on Twitter: Twitter.com/hashtag/the100dayproject Read about 100 Days on The Great Discontent website.
"No great thing is created suddenly.” - Epictetus



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