Can you believe another month has gone by, yes another 30 days of daily photos.
I clicked over day 300 days in April, a significant milestone for me. Wowzas!!!
It was at around day 275 that I began to waiver and struggle for inspiration for my daily prompt. I then began questioning my reasons for continuing.
I felt so far from the finish line, and yet so deeply invested, that giving up would be silly.
I debated this notion of never, never giving up and if that is reason enough to slog away at anything I am not enjoying. This generated wonderful, healthy discussion in comments over here.
I decided to check back in with my initial desire. Revisit the WHY I began my Project 365.
This is when it got interesting.
I began wanting to improve my photography by regularly using my Miss Fancy pants DSLR. Photoaday would hold me accountable to a daily practice, and I knew this would be an effective way to improve my skills over time.
Since then I have improved my skills without a doubt and so, so much more.
I have also:
- become an explorer of new techniques and lenses
- challenged myself creatively to set up clever, original and funky ways to express the daily prompt
- built an incredible body of work I am ridiculously proud of and I also use across many elements of my business
- developed my confidence as a photo taker
- embraced my style and uniqueness as it continues to emerge
- documented treasured moments
- involved the kids in my hobby
- had lots and lots and lots of fun
Then came the realisation.
It is not the thrill of chasing down the goal or the overall achievement that has me feeling good.
It is the daily moments of self discovery that have become essential ingredients to living my life fabulously.
Without further ado, I am proud to share my April collage
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Is there a hobby, a Project you have been considering starting? A nudge that shows up time and time again? Could there be an opportunity for you to embrace and grow in ways you cannot imagine today?
I will be excited and delighted if you share your ideas with me in comments.
As always, Live Fabulously
I love your April collage! I am thinking about doing my own little challenge this summer…one Instagram pic a day. Maybe I will try it for a month and see how I do first. You’re right though, the more pictures you take, the better you become!
Michelle, one Instagram pic a day is an awesome goal. Realistic, fun, achievable with a stretch equals sustainable growth. I will stay tuned.
Love this – and way to hang in there. I look forward to your daily photos.
I guess this means I need to keep working on my own hobby – writing a short story. My hubby even found somewhere I could submit it… Wish me luck!
Kim, Yes, Yay, yeah, writing a short story sounds incredible and I have my pom poms out cheering you on.
1. Investment: I get this. I feel like when you put your best effort into something, you want to see it through. Sometimes, it’s not the best decision. Most times, it is.
2. Things like Photoaday kind of force us to stay the course. it’s like a personal trainer for our camera.
3. The project I’d love to dive into – refurbishing furniture. I have lots I’ve picked up free or cheap, just sitting in the garage. I need to make those visions realities this summer.
Eli, I love the thought of photoaday as a personal trainer for our camera, and it is. Refurbishing furniture sounds like a fantastic way to spend some time over the Summer. Enjoy, enjoy,
Well done fo rhanfing in there and for examining the reasons you are hanging in there! I love to scrapbook my photos and your April body of work reminds me of that. Why haven’t I done it since last summer? Silly me. I must get back to it.
Thank you for introducing me to fmsphotoaday Karen. Early days yet but so far so good.
I am so happy you have join the FMS ride this month, fun times
^^^^ Ok so laughing out loud here as I reread my comment AFTER I posted it. “rhanfing” = hanging. ^^^
Still only 10:00 AM here so no worries about above being due to excess alcohol intake … Perhaps there’s something else in this hot water,lemon and ginger concoction …
Kelly I autocorrected in my head. Might be the alcohol intake at this end.