What is The 100 Day Project?
The concept is simple. Make something every day for 100 days in a row.
There’s no freaking way I’ll be creating art every day for 100 days.
Haha! How’s that for a way to start the 100-day project?
I told my husband there was almost nothing I wanted to do every day for the next 100 days except to maybe eat chocolate. Okay, if I HAVE to do something, I guess I’ll brush my teeth. I don’t like anything to be the boss of me, including me, including The 100 Day Project of which I’ve decided to do!
Look, I’m organized, diligent, determined, all those type-A-ish things. But good gracious, don’t put me on the line like that 100 Day Project! I’m not sure if we can be friends like that.
But, hey, why let that stop me? Maybe it’ll be a 76-day project instead? Or a 57-day? Or every day except Saturday and Sunday because I’m at the farmers market and on the beach with my husband?
Intoducing, The Pretend 100 Day Project Instead
Have you ever seen Jennifer Garner and her Pretend Cooking Show on YouTube? She’s adorable. You must go see it. If she can have a Pretend Cooking Show, then we get to have The Pretend 100 Day Project, don’t you think?
Don’t get me wrong, I think The 100 Day Project is amazing and it’s so cool to see what everyone is doing, to share in the buzz of excitement. And the growth potential. So fun!
But I know myself, and there’s NO WAY I’m going to do 100 days straight. So let’s just call a spade a spade, right? And I’m okay with that. Totally okay.
So if you’re someone who wants to be a halfsies, lackadaisical, C-student, meh, it’s good enoughsies, pretend type 100 day-er, come with me, and let’s get our honorable mention ribbon!
Come Join me at #pretend100dayproject
You know we need a hashtag to find each other.
So here we go. Follow along on Instagram, if only to have a good laugh. Let’s meet at #pretend100dayproject.
Me and the #pretend100dayproject are gonna be like an old couple, arguing in our rocking chairs, trying to tell each other who’s right (me!), breaking up, and then getting back together again.
Tag yourself with the hashtag so we can lament and languish together during these 100 days of crazy-making.
And I know it has already started! Who cares? We’re already on our way to our honorable mention ribbon, right? So just start today on day, whatever it is in the lineup. I’ve lost track already.
What I’ll be Creating for The Pretend 100 Day Project
Mixed media is my thing, so that’s where I’m going.
Funny enough, I loved the rhythmic, soothing feeling of cutting out 100 individual 6 by 6-inch squares from a pad of watercolor paper to get ready. You would think seeing that pile of white pages adding up would feel daunting, but, in fact, it felt just the opposite.
But, seeing all those babies stacked up, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. Just imagining those pages all filled up, colorful, and overflowing got this pretend 100-day project girl pretty excited; I’m not gonna lie.
My plan for #pretend100dayproject is simple.
Collage, paint, and color away to create 100-ish baby mixed media pieces, any color, texture, and composition.
I’m choosing one common theme. Six by six white watercolor paper, and whatever ends up on that paper is fair game.
Also, and this is important, I’m giving myself permission to make them quick, quick, quick. No pressure to make it perfect, create in a long, drawn-out fashion, or be overly thoughtful about it. 15 to 30 minutes at a time should do it.
I’m excited about connecting with everyone online, so join me there!!
Want to Learn More About The 100 Day Project?
In all seriousness, the 100-day project is cool.
Here are some great resources, whether you’re a #pretend100dayproject like me or going all in for real, which is fantastic too.
If you want to see where this project began, check it out HERE.
Julie Hamilton has been doing the 100-day project for going on eight years! You can read her ten helpful tips for your project in this blog post.
Wendy over at Willa Wonders is sharing her 100-day project based on her class Fodder School, which is all about using up art fodder in your projects HERE.
Roben-Marie has a beautiful 100-Day Project and Workbook Tracker you can download, with opportunities to record your thoughts, experiences, and ideas HERE.
Kelle Wynn has created an excellent podcast about the 100-day project and how it can help your art business HERE.
So tell me, will you do The Pretend 100 Day Project?
I hope so! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #pretend100dayproject. Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever done the project, what it was like for you or if you’ll join us this year so we can look for you!
Hi, I love the idea of a pretend 100 day project and I love that you cut 100 squares straight away 🙂
My illness means I am always tired and therefore one 6 x 6 mixed media project a day seems definitely doable. So I guess we start today 🙂
Hi Angela, Awe, I’m so excited you’ll start today. That’s wonderful. We’ll do it together with no pressure, keeping it doable and enjoyable, right? Isn’t that so important? I wish you the best. Keep me posted!
I love this email/blog post! I have tried the 100 day thing. I miss a day and think I failed and that is just not good. Like New Years Resolutions I prefer to think of it as 100 day goal. I decided I would commit to meditate. I already to that, but since I would like to develop a daily routine and practice this is something that will help me grow. And I think art will follow. I changed house last October. The move was major. I just finished my crafting room yesterday just as the 100 day is starting. So who knows. Goals are good. Unrealistic demands are not. TMI? who knows. Maybe it can help someone else? Thank you Shay!!
Totally agree. Missing one day and feeling bad is just not great. I’ve found that lots of people feel cruddy if they don’t complete it or miss days, and it just seems so unnecessary. Like, we don’t have to count ourselves out, thus Pretend 100 Day Project! No pressure at all. And I totally agree with you, goals are good, but unrealistic demands are not. Well said. Congrats on your finishing your craft room. Enjoy!
Hi Shay : ) Love your idea and if I could I’d do YOUR #Pretend 100 Day Project but IG doesn’t, and still doesn’t, allow for desktop downloading so I’m out : ( and I DON’T DO FB, ha : ) But as always, with your fantastic and creative energy I’m sure this will be loads of fun – I will follow along just to enjoy the art and community : ) Blessings, Sandra : )
No worries Sandra. I’m happy you’re here in whatever way works for you. Yay! All the best to you.
Same here re both of those Sandra! We can be there in spirit 😊✨️💜
Thanks for the inspiration.
You’re welcome!
I love this idea, I’m in. I haven’t done the real 100 day thingy but I thought about it and realised there was no way I’d be able to stick to it, but 6×6 sounds great to me 💛
That’s great Louise! I’m so glad you’re in! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Keep us posted.
Love this brilliant Pretend Way. (I walk in that direction almost every day!)
I think I’ll give it a whirl. Thanks for ‘making it more ‘comfy’ for those of us who often ‘hear the beat of a different drummer’ .. and head off to go antiquing .. or take a nap .. or binge watch a favorite Netflix, Amazon Prime, HULU, (fill in the blank) series, take a spur of the moment ‘road trip’ with a bestie, or whatever ‘floats your boat’. XO, Frannie
All of that sounds so good Frannie. I’m up for all of your adventures or napping that you speak of.😊 Creativity and art will always be there for us when we get back.