365--Reflections

Yesterday's post marked the end of my 365 project. I found many good things in the project--patience, persistence, the value of doing something for the sake of a larger goal without resenting the smaller actions. I practiced self-forgiveness in allowing myself skip days and don't feel even a little bit guilty over doing things at my own pace.

I took some fantastic pictures as well as some passable ones and even though some of pictures were motivated by nothing more than "Oh nuts, it's bedtime, what's close by?" I have a difficult time finding them in the lineup. Looking back over the year shows a variety of milestones (both big and small), discoveries, history, and newfound habits. It's a pretty good representation of our life in this house.

This project motivated me to always carry my camera with me; it has made photography a daily part of my life in a way that it wasn't before.

Several of you have asked "What's Next?". This project helped me establish the purpose of this blog--to share my home and hobbies. I will continue to post recipes, show off my latest quilting projects, and, of course, talk about the house. Many of the same things the 365 project covered--updates to the decor, new furniture or art, small things that caught my notice--will continue to be featured, they just won't be a daily focus.

One thing that I am really looking forward to is the freedom of moving away from the 365 format. I set up the "picture followed by a short description" early in the project and towards the end, I began to find it very limiting. Sometimes I felt the story would be better served with multiple pictures, but for the sake of consistency, I refrained. Completing the project means that I can write each post in the way the best compliments the topic at hand.

I am also planning on adding more variety--I would like to get back to posting about our CSA membership and begin posting about our local trips and adventures. Completing this project gives me more time and energy to devote to these additional topics. I am excited by the possibilities and hope you are too.

365--Halfway Through

As I head into the second half of my 365 project, my computer-less window gave me a pause to stop and reflect on this project. There are some things, that after a two week break, I would be hard pressed to pick back up again, but I find myself still interested and engaged.

I wandered through the previous photos and rediscovered things like Day 150, I had already forgotten how recently I had learned that. I recalled how when embarking on this project I had the dream that every picture was going to be a photographic masterpiece (or at least, you know, have decent lighting and some thought to composition.) And I wondered if, when I hit day 365, I won't want to just start all over.

This project is a continuing exercise in being mindful of my surroundings. Of seizing opportunities as they present themselves. Of being prepared. And patient. Of the freedom of routine. And those are things that are worth holding onto everyday, not just 365 select ones.

Look How Far We've Come

I recently passed day 91 of my 365 day challenge (well 102, if you count the skip days, but that's besides the point). I am really proud of myself for sticking with this. I was a bit worried when I started out that I would find taking a photo each day frustrating. My past experience has taught me that I often start with a wild enthusiasm but the day to day grind can wear fun commitments into the worst things imaginable--something done solely out of obligation.

A few weeks into the project, I was confronted with my first Big Decision. I had enough time to either post to the blog or take a picture. It would have been easy to post to the blog, I have plenty of house pictures on my Flickr account, it simply would not have been a picture taken that day. It forced me to decide what this project was really about for me. Was it about posting something every day or was it about spending the time to take a photo every day? I decided it was the latter. You may occasionally notice several posts pop up at once, those are times when I have had to put off the editing, uploading, and blogging, but the picture taking has continued apace.

And on days when life interrupts and I can't take a photo? I take a skip day and move on. At the end of this project I will have a year(ish) long record of the milestones of putting our home together, a collection of firsts. If I skip a couple of days here and there, it's not the end of the world.

That understanding is what keeps this project moving forward, because while it's a part of my life, it doesn't run my life. And in the meantime, I reap all the benefits. Of actively paying attention. Of noticing the small details. Of wandering the house with a camera, allowing lighting, subjects, and happenstance to direct my attention.