Rethinking the 100 Day Project
I told myself I wasn’t going to do the 100 Day Project this year…
I’ve done it for three years in a row now—with pretty good success, I’d say. The first two years, I completed all 100 days, posting consistently and enjoying the process. But last year? I wasn’t in a place to take it on. I was running a free event for thousands of people, and even though I knew I didn’t have the bandwidth, but the fear of missing out really got to me. The thought of skipping it after two years felt… disappointing. So I gave in.
And honestly? I didn’t enjoy it that much the 3rd time around.
Instead of being a creative challenge that energized me, it felt more like a burden—something to check off a list rather than celebrate. Sure, I love seeing all the pieces come together at the end. There’s something deeply satisfying about looking at a large body of work and recognizing the progress, the evolution, the sheer amount of time poured into it. But last year, I didn’t finish, and I didn’t feel the same joy I once had.
For my 2024 project, I think I got to day 75. Here’s a portion of my collage clusters from The 100 Day Project 2024.
Do I Really Want to Do This Again?
As I was planning out this year, I was mindful of how my schedule ebbs and flows. The first six months are always jam-packed with projects and commitments, while the second half of the year holds more breathing room for personal creative time. I intentionally structure my year in this way.
So as the start of the 100 Day Project creeps closer, I’m feeling that familiar pull—the little voice saying, “You’ve already done it three years in a row… why not a fourth?”
See photos from my previous 100 day projects →
But here’s the thing: I can’t add more work to my plate. If I do participate, my approach needs to be completely different this time.
In the past, I’ve focused on creating 100 individual pieces—something tangible I could group together in a big, cohesive project. But that’s not feasible for me this year, and I don’t believe in setting myself up for failure. That doesn’t mean I don’t love a challenge. It just means I need to be realistic.
The 100 Day Project, at its core, is an exercise in consistency. Even starting it is an achievement. No matter how many days you complete, the act of showing up matters.
Whenever you put 100 pieces together to make a collection - it makes an impact, that’s for sure! This is all 100 collage clusters from my 2023 Project.
A New Approach
So, instead of focusing on a final product, I want to shift my perspective. This year, if I participate, my goal isn’t to make 100 things—it’s to create a habit of daily creativity that feels restorative rather than overwhelming.
I have a couple of ideas:
1. A Daily Photo Project – Using my camera to capture small details each day. A texture, a pattern, an interesting composition—something that sparks inspiration. This approach still allows for that satisfying “big picture” moment at the end, where I can look back and see all 100 images as a collection. Plus, it’s low effort and doesn’t require me to create something physical every day.
2. A Continuous Stitching Project – This is the idea I’m leaning toward the most. Instead of making separate pieces, I’d add onto a single, continuous fabric scroll each day. It could be five minutes of stitching or an hour—there’s no set amount. Unlike my previous cluster projects (where I felt pressure to complete something daily), this would remove that rigid structure and give me the flexibility I need.
The shift here is letting go of the idea that each day needs a finished product and instead embracing small, intentional creative moments.
This new approach aligns perfectly with my words for the year: Consistency and Connection. I want to create in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling, showing up daily without the pressure of a finished product. It’s about making space—space for creative moments, space for reflection, and space for a practice that supports me rather than overwhelms me. And in that space, I hope to find connection—with my work, my creative instincts, and the rhythm of showing up each day, even if it looks different than before.
Read more about why I chose Connection + Consistency as my words for the year here.
Sharing the Process (or Not?)
As a full-time artist, I love sharing my work. But one challenge with posting about the 100 Day Project is the extra time it takes—editing photos, making videos, writing captions. It’s not difficult, but it does take away from other creative projects.
That’s another reason I like the idea of a stitching scroll—it allows for sharing in a more fluid, organic way. I can post snippets here and there without feeling like I need to document every single day.
What About You?
Are you participating in the 100 Day Project this year? If so, is your approach staying the same, or are you mixing things up?
If you’re looking for a way to track your progress, I highly recommend checking out my friend Roben-Marie’s 100 Day Project Workbook. She has a free download as well as a printed version you can purchase to help you stay organized and document your experience. I have the hard copy, and the quality is excellent!
Let me know your thoughts, and if you’re joining in, I’d love to hear what you’ll be working on! 🩷